ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—A vibration problem found in some Nissan and Toyota trucks and sport-utility vehicles (SUV) apparently can be caused by a lack of proper balancing tools, rather than with the vehicles themselves. The two vehicle manufacturers have made balancing adaptors from Haweka Wheel Balancing Technology mandatory for all their dealerships after receiving a number of customer complaints about experiencing bad vehicle vibration problems, according to information issued by Big O Tires Inc. to its dealers.
A Big O newsletter pointed out that after a customer wore out the original tires, they would get new ones installed at a local tire retailer who did not have the correct balancing adaptors. As a result, a vibration problem was created.
The vehicle owner then would go back to the Toyota or Nissan dealerhip to get the vibration fixed, but the car dealerships didn't have the correct tools and therefore couldn't fix the problem.
As outlined by Big O, the center wheel hole of Toyota and Nissan trucks and SUVs is more than 4 inches, so the only cone that will fit the wheel is one measuring up to 5.25-inches for light trucks. Since it can only be used from the front of the wheel, a tire retailer would center the wheel that way.
However, because of the design of the wheel, that cone only touches the wheel on the casting itself, and never touches the part of the wheel needed to get an accurate balance. Consequently, the wheel is centered poorly on the balancing machine and is never balanced properly, despite the reading on the display, Big O said.
After several attempts—and sporadic results—from using a cone manufactured to fit that wheel, the problem was finally cured with a cone used from the back together with a flange plate from the front.
All Nissan and Toyota dealers were shipped a flange plate with the correct bolt patterns as well as a special cone.
For most tire dealers, Big O is recommending use of the following Haweka parts:
A standard truck flange plate—part number 231-502-xx3 (or 231-503-xx3);
Six studs—part number 271-804-016; and
Cone 15A-xx0-012.
In addition to Nissan and Toyota trucks and SUVs, Big O said this kit also fits other vehicles, including GM, Ford and Dodge.
A better package, advised Big O, is truck flange plate 231-502-xx3 (or 231-503-xx3), five lug flange plate 251-602-xx0 (or 251-701-xx0) and small spacer disk 190-008-0xx.
This kit will fit all the above vehicles, as well as most five-lug passenger cars and 1998 Ford F-150 truck models, yet costs only a little more, Big O said.
Both packages work on steel and alloy wheels.
For more information, or to request copies of the Toyota and Nissan advisories, Big O suggested contacting Haweka at: (800) 242-6687.