Radial Tire Waddle

Waddle is side-to-side movement at the front and/or rear of the vehicle. Waddle is most noticeable at low speed, about 8 to 48 km/h (5 - 30 mph). It may also appear as a ride roughness at 80 to 113 km/h (50 to 70 mph).

The vehicle can be road tested to see which end of the vehicle has the faulty tire. The following wheel/tire substitution procedure may be used to isolate the tire and wheel assembly which is causing the waddle.
1. Drive the vehicle to determine if the waddle is coming from the front or rear.
2. Install tire/wheel assemblies known to be good (from a similar vehicle) in place of those on the end of the vehicle which is waddling. If the waddle cannot be isolated to front or rear, start with the rear tires.
3. Road test again. If improvement is noted, install the original tire/wheel assemblies one at a time until the faulty tire is found. If no improvement is noted, install tires known to be good in place of all four. Then, install the originals one at time until the faulty tire is found

Waddle can usually be related to excessive lateral runout of the tire or wheel. Use a dial indicator on the tire's sidewall and on the rim's flange to determine if excessive lateral runout exists. Refer to Tire Vibration Diagnosis.