Tire Balance

This procedure covers balancing all four tires on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry to eliminate vibrations and ensure even tire wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Wheel balancing weights assortment × 1 — Use appropriate weight style for wheel type

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen all wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is still on the ground
3. Lift vehicle using floor jack at designated jacking points and support on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove all four wheels and inspect for damage or excessive wear

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove first wheel and clean mounting surface
   Remove the wheel completely and clean the wheel mounting surface on both the hub and the back of the wheel with a wire brush. Remove any rust, debris, or old balancing weights from the wheel rim. Mark the wheel position (e.g., LF, RF, LR, RR) if performing rotation.
2. 2

   Mount wheel on balancing machine
   Select the appropriate centering cone for the wheel. Mount the wheel securely on the balancing machine spindle, ensuring it is centered properly. Enter the wheel diameter, width, and offset distance into the balancing machine according to manufacturer instructions for this specific wheel.
3. 3

   Spin and measure wheel balance
   Lower the hood or safety guard on the balancing machine. Start the spin cycle and allow the machine to measure the imbalance. The machine will indicate the amount and location of weight needed on both the inner and outer rim edges.
4. 4

   Install balancing weights
   Clean the rim surface where weights will be applied. Install clip-on or adhesive weights at the positions indicated by the balancing machine, matching the exact weight amounts shown. For adhesive weights, ensure the surface is clean and dry. For clip-on weights, ensure they are firmly seated on the rim edge.
5. 5

   Verify balance and fine-tune
   Spin the wheel again to verify balance. The machine should show minimal or zero imbalance (typically within 0.25 oz or 7 grams). If still out of balance, adjust weight positions or add/remove weight as needed. Repeat spin cycle until properly balanced.
6. 6

   Remove wheel and repeat for remaining wheels
   Remove the balanced wheel from the machine and set aside. Repeat steps 1-5 for each of the remaining three wheels. Keep wheels organized by their marked positions.
7. 7

   Reinstall wheels on vehicle
   Mount each wheel onto its corresponding hub position. Hand-thread all lug nuts to prevent cross-threading. Using a torque wrench, tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to the specified torque.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Lower vehicle and final torque check
   Carefully lower the vehicle from jack stands to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheels, perform a final torque check on all lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure proper torque specification is maintained.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Check and adjust tire pressures
   Using a tire pressure gauge, check the pressure in all four tires. Adjust to the recommended pressure listed on the driver's door jamb placard (typically 32-35 PSI for this vehicle). Ensure all valve caps are reinstalled.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern
2. Verify all valve stem caps are installed
3. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely
4. Store all tools and unused balancing weights

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at various speeds (30-70 mph) to verify vibration has been eliminated
• Steering wheel should not vibrate or shake during acceleration or at highway speeds
• Verify no clicking or unusual noises from wheels during driving
• Recheck lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

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