Section 04-04: Wheels and Tires
1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-Super Duty Chassis Cab, F-Super Duty Motorhome Chassis and Bronco Workshop Manual
CLEANING AND INSPECTION

Wheel and Tire Indexing

When servicing wheels or tires, the following procedure for matching the tire and wheel must be followed to ensure that the best possible ride characteristics are maintained.

  1. When removing a worn tire from a wheel, mark the valve location on the tire prior to removal.

  1. If the original tire is to be remounted, index the valve mark on the tire to the valve of the original wheel. Go to Step 6.

    If a new wheel is being installed, locate the tire matching point based on the valve position on the original wheel relative to its matching point described in the next step.

  1. The matching point is at the tire valve. Locate the matching point on the wheel.

  1. Locate the matching point on a new tire. Many replacement tires as well as original equipment tires are marked for first harmonic matching to the wheel. These marks vary in type and color. Consult the tire dealer for details and mark identification.

  1. Mount the tire on the wheel and line up the chartreuse paint mark or sticker on the new tire sidewall or the matching point of the original tire with the tire valve of the wheel.

  1. Inflate and balance the tire and wheel assembly.