Radial Tire Waddle

"Waddle" is side to side movement at the front and/or rear of the vehicle. It can be caused by a steel belt NOT being straight within the tire or by excessive tire and wheel lateral runout. It is most noticeable at low speed, 8 to 48 km/h (5 to 30 mph). It may also appear as ride roughness at 80 to 113 km/h (50 to 70 mph). Road test the vehicle to see which end of the vehicle has the faulty tire. If the waddle tire is on the rear, the rear end will shake from side to side, or "waddle." From the driver's seat, it feels as though someone is pushing on the side of the vehicle.

If the faulty tire is on the front, the waddle is more visual. The front sheet metal appears to be moving back and forth and the driver feels as though he is at the pivot point.

A more time consuming method of determining the faulty tire is substituting a tire and wheel that is known to be good. Follow these steps:
1. Drive vehicle to determine if tire waddle is coming from front or rear.
2. Install tire and wheel that is known to be good from a similar vehicle in place of those on end of vehicle which is vibrating.
^ If tire waddle cannot be isolated to front or rear, start with rear tires.
3. Road test again.
^ If improvement is noted, install original tire and wheel one at a time until faulty tire is found.
^ If no improvement is noted, install tires known to be good in place of all four. Then, install originals one at time until faulty tire is found.