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Diagnosis and Testing|Removal and Installation > < 204-04 Wheels and Tires|Specifications

Mondeo 1997 (08.1996-09.2000)

Wheels and Tires - Wheels and Tires Mondeo 1997 (08/1996-09/2000)
Diagnosis and Testing

Inspection and Verification

To maximize tire performance, inspect the tires for signs of incorrect inflation and uneven wear which may indicate a need for balancing, rotation or front suspension alignment. Tires should also be checked frequently for cuts, stone bruises, abrasions, blisters, and for objects that may have become embedded in the tread. More frequent inspections are recommended when rapid or extreme temperature changes occur or when road surfaces are rough or occasionally littered with foreign material.

Tire Wear Diagnosis

New tires should be installed if there is severe shoulder wear. Shoulder wear is usually caused by either excessive camber or excessive toe settings.

Sometimes incorrect rear toe settings or worn struts will cause severe `cupped' or `scalloped' tire wear on non-driven wheels.

Severely misadjusted rear toe will also cause other unusual wear patterns.

REFER to Section  204-00 Suspension System - General Information.

Symptom Chart

Symptom Chart

Symptom Possible Sources Action
Tires show excess wear on edge of tread
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Under-inflated tires.
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ADJUST air pressure in tires.
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Vehicle overloaded.
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CORRECT as necessary.
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High-speed cornering.
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CORRECT as necessary.
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Incorrect toe setting.
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Incorrect camber setting.
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SET toe to specification. REFER to Section  204-00 Suspension System - General Information.
Tires show excess wear in center of tread
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Tires over-inflated.
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ADJUST air pressure in tires.
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Excessive acceleration or braking.
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CORRECT as necessary.
Other excessive tire wear concerns
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Incorrect tire pressure.
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ADJUST air pressure in tires.
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Wheels need rotating.
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ROTATE wheels.
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Front end out of alignment.
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ALIGN front end. REFER to Section  204-00 Suspension System - General Information.
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Vehicle overloaded.
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CHECK load specification against work load requirement.
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Loose or leaking front or rear strut and spring assembly.
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TIGHTEN or INSTALL new parts as necessary. REFER to Section  204-01 Front Suspension / 204-02 Rear Suspension.
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Wheel bearings worn.
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INSTALL new wheel bearings. REFER to Section  204-01 Front Suspension / 204-02 Rear Suspension.
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Suspension components, bushings and ball joints.
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INSPECT, REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary.
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Excessive lateral or radial runout of wheel or tire.
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CHECK, REPAIR or INSTALL new parts as necessary. Use a dial indicator gauge to determine runout accurately.
Wheel mounting is difficult
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Incorrect application or mismatched parts, including wheel studs and nuts.
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FOLLOW manufacturers specifications.
Wheel rust or corrosion
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Poor maintenance.
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CLEAN and PROTECT with paint.
Wobble or shimmy affecting wheel runout
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Damaged wheel.
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INSPECT wheel rims for dents. INSTALL new parts as necessary.
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Front wheel bearing.
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INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary. REFER to Section  204-01 Front Suspension.
Excessive vehicle vibration, rough steering
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Suspension components.
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TIGHTEN or INSTALL new parts. REFER to Section  204-01 Front Suspension. (Front). REFER to Section  204-02 Rear Suspension. (Rear).
Vehicle vibrations from wheels and tires
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Tire pressure.
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ADJUST air pressure in tires.
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Wheel or tire imbalance.
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BALANCE wheel and tire assembly.
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Uneven tire wear.
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INSTALL a new tire(s) if necessary to correct vibration.
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Brake disc imbalance.
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CHECK brake disc fins for mud or foreign material. If no damage or foreign material is seen, brake disc may have a heavy spot. REFER to Section  206-00 Brake System - General Information.
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Water in tires.
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REMOVE water.
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Bent wheel.
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INSTALL new wheel. Attempts to straighten a wheel can cause fractures in the wheel and weaken the wheel strength.
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Incorrectly seated tire bead.
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SPIN wheel on vehicle. EXAMINE area where the tire and the wheel meet. If that section of the tire appears to waver while being rotated, the tire bead may not be seated correctly on the wheel. REMOVE the tire and CLEAN bead seat areas on both wheel and tire.
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Radial runout of wheel or tire.
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Use a dial indicator gauge to check the radial runouts of both the wheel and the tire. If either the tire or wheel is out of specification, also CHECK the radial runout of the wheel stud. When components are out of specification INSTALL new components.
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Wheel stud, wheel nut or enlarged stud holes.
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TIGHTEN or INSTALL new parts as necessary.
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Foreign material between wheel mounting face and hub mounting surface.
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CLEAN mounting surfaces.
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Lateral runout of wheel or tire.
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Use a dial indicator gauge to check the lateral runouts of both the wheel and the tire. If either the tire or wheel is out of specification, also CHECK the lateral runout of the wheel hub. When components are out of specification, INSTALL new components.
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Front wheel bearing.
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Install new as necessary. REFER to Section  204-01 Front Suspension.
Cracks develop in rim base back (rim bead seat) or the gutter area (drop well radii)
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Overloading or abusive use.
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INSTALL new wheel. CHECK loading and operating conditions. Avoid over inflation of tires. CHECK specifications for rim load capacity, working load, tire size, ply rating and tire construction.
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Incorrect use of tools.
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CHECK mounting, demounting, and maintenance procedures.
Damaged wheel stud threads
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Sliding wheel across wheel studs during assembly.
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INSTALL new wheel studs. INSTALL wheel as outlined.
Loose brake drum
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Wheel studs too long.
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INSTALL new wheel stud of correct length.
Broken wheel studs
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Loose wheel nuts.
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INSTALL new wheel studs. TIGHTEN to specification.
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Overloading.
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INSTALL new wheel studs. TIGHTEN to specification. Compare actual load against vehicle load ratings.
Stripped threads
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Excessive torque.
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INSTALL new wheel studs and nuts. TIGHTEN to specification.
Rust streaks from wheel stud holes
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Wheel nuts.
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CHECK complete assembly. If parts are damaged INSTALL new parts. TIGHTEN to specification.
Damaged wheel nuts
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Wheel assembly.
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INSTALL new wheel nuts. TIGHTEN to specification.
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Over tightened wheel nuts.
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FOLLOW correct tightening procedure.
Seized wheel nuts
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Corrosion.
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CAUTION: Do not permit lubricant to get on cone sets of stud holes or on cone angle of wheel nuts. If corrosion is slight, wire brush away corrosion. If corrosion is excessive, INSTALL new wheel studs and nuts. If condition persists, LUBRICATE first three threads of each wheel stud with a graphite-based lubricant.
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Overloading.
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REDUCE weight.

Diagnosis and Testing|Removal and Installation > < 204-04 Wheels and Tires|Specifications