How to Identify Out-of-Round Car Wheels?
4 Answers
Methods to identify out-of-round car wheels: 1. Out-of-round wheels can cause the vehicle to pull to one side while driving, with severe shaking of the body and steering wheel, which may even increase with speed; 2. Out-of-round wheels can also cause significant impact on the chassis suspension, and in severe cases, may lead to deformation or even breakage of the suspension control arms. Currently, most car wheels are made of aluminum alloy, which is extremely difficult to repair once it becomes out-of-round. Even after repair, it cannot be restored to its original factory condition. Therefore, if a wheel is found to be out-of-round, it is recommended to replace it directly for safety reasons.
When I used to work in the garage repairing cars, I encountered many cases of wheel rim out-of-roundness. The identification mainly relies on three steps: First, carefully inspect the wheel rim surface with the naked eye for any deformation or dents, especially on the sides and edges; then take the car for a high-speed test drive—if you feel significant body or steering wheel vibration, it's a typical symptom; finally, use a micrometer to measure the inner and outer diameters of the wheel rim. If the values deviate significantly or the rotation isn't smooth, it indicates out-of-roundness. Untreated wheel rim out-of-roundness can cause faster tire wear or even blowouts, which is not worth the risk. I recommend regular inspections—don't skimp on the inspection fees, safety comes first.
I experienced wheel rim deformation not long after I started driving, and during that high-speed run, the steering wheel shook violently like an earthquake. The identification method is straightforward: pay attention to body vibrations while driving, especially more noticeable during acceleration or turning; after parking, feel the wheel rim surface with your hand to check for unevenness or dents; if in doubt, take it to a repair shop for a balance machine test, which will display the imbalance value. Wheel rim deformation not only affects driving comfort but also accelerates tire wear, costing more money in the long run. Since then, I've been diligent about checking the appearance of my wheel rims.
Having driven for most of my life, I'm very cautious about wheel rim deformation. The simplest way to check is to visually inspect the rim for any bends or distortions, especially using a flashlight for better visibility during nighttime use. If you notice abnormal vibrations while driving, particularly on smooth roads, it's a preliminary sign. You can also wrap a string around the rim to measure its roundness—significant deviation almost confirms the issue. Wheel rim deformation can easily lead to accidents, so don't cut corners. Early detection and resolution are key.
