Balance all four tires on a wheel balancing machine to eliminate vibrations and ensure smooth operation at highway speeds.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Clip-on wheel weights × 1 — Assorted sizes as needed
• Adhesive wheel weights × 1 — Assorted sizes as needed

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels if working on front first, or front wheels if working on rear first
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts approximately 1 turn while wheels are still on the ground
4. Verify wheel balancer is properly calibrated and functioning

Procedure

1. 1

   Lift and secure vehicle
   Using a floor jack at the appropriate jacking point, lift one corner of the vehicle at a time. Place jack stands under the frame rail or designated support point. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Repeat for remaining corners until all four wheels are off the ground and vehicle is securely supported.
2. 2

   Remove all four wheels
   Remove the lug nuts completely from each wheel, keeping sets organized by position (LF, RF, LR, RR). Remove all four wheels and set aside in a clean area. Inspect lug nuts for damage or stripped threads.
3. 3

   Inspect and clean wheel rim surfaces
   Inspect each wheel for damage, cracks, or bent rims. Use a wire brush to clean the inner and outer rim flanges where weights will be applied. Remove all old wheel weights using wheel weight pliers. Clean off any adhesive residue from previous tape weights. Check that valve stems are in good condition and not leaking.
4. 4

   Mount first wheel on balancer
   Select the appropriate cone or adapter for the wheel center bore (Corolla uses 54.1mm center bore). Mount the wheel on the balancer spindle with the cone securing from the back side. Thread on the wing nut and tighten firmly by hand. Input wheel diameter (15", 16", or 17" depending on trim) and width into the balancer.
5. 5

   Measure wheel dimensions
   Lower the measuring arm or input the distance from the balancer to the inner rim edge. Measure and input the rim width. On digital balancers, use the automatic measurement function if available. Ensure all measurements are accurate as they determine weight placement.
6. 6

   Spin and analyze wheel
   Lower the hood or safety guard if equipped. Start the spin cycle on the wheel balancer. Allow the machine to complete its analysis. The balancer will display the amount and location of weight needed for both inner and outer rim positions.
7. 7

   Apply corrective weights
   Rotate the wheel to the position indicated by the balancer for the first weight (typically marked at 12 o'clock). For steel wheels, attach the appropriate clip-on weight to the outer rim flange. For aluminum wheels, apply adhesive tape weight to the inner barrel at the indicated position. Repeat for the inner weight position. Ensure weights are firmly seated.
8. 8

   Verify balance and fine-tune
   Spin the wheel again to verify balance. The balancer should show zero or minimal residual imbalance (typically less than 5 grams per side is acceptable). If still out of balance, adjust weight positions or add/remove weight as indicated. Repeat spin cycle until wheel is properly balanced.
9. 9

   Balance remaining three wheels
   Remove the balanced wheel from the balancer and mark it to identify its original position if reinstalling in the same location. Repeat steps 4 through 8 for the remaining three wheels. Keep wheels organized by position to maintain any directional tire patterns.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheels onto vehicle
    Mount each wheel back onto its corresponding hub position. Thread all lug nuts on by hand to prevent cross-threading. Using a tire iron or impact wrench, snug the lug nuts in a star pattern but do not fully tighten yet.
11. 11

    Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
    Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to remove tension from jack stands. Remove all four jack stands. Carefully lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Using a calibrated torque wrench, torque all lug nuts to specification in a star pattern (tighten opposite lug nuts in sequence, not adjacent ones). Make at least two complete passes in the star pattern to ensure even torque distribution.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern
2. Verify no tools or equipment are left near or under the vehicle
3. Check tire pressures and adjust to specification found on driver door jamb placard (typically 32-35 PSI)

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at various speeds up to highway speed to verify elimination of vibration
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque lug nuts to specification as wheels may settle
• Verify no wheel weights have fallen off and all remain firmly attached
• Confirm smooth operation with no steering wheel vibration between 55-70 mph

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