Overview
ISO 16833:2006 - Road vehicles - Wheels - Measurement of radial and lateral run-out - defines how to characterise the geometrical uniformity of vehicle wheels and the principles for measuring radial and lateral run-out. The standard specifies datums, measurement method (contact points using a reference sphere), signal sampling and the mathematical decomposition (Fourier/harmonic) used to derive run-out criteria. It is intended for consistent, repeatable wheel measurement and analysis in production, testing and R&D.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Definitions
- Radial run-out (RRO): variation over one revolution of the distance X of the seat relative to the wheel rotation axis (mm).
- Lateral run-out (LRO): variation over one revolution of the distance Y of the rim flange relative to a fixed plane perpendicular to the wheel axis (mm).
- Values are algebraic (have +/− sign).
- Datums
- Axis of rotation for centre-hole piloted wheels (maximum inscribed cylinder).
- Wheel attachment face (hub bearing surface plane P).
- Axis for nut-seat piloted wheels (pitch circle axis).
- Measurement method
- Contact points are taken with a sphere of radius 8 ± 0.2 mm, maintaining continuous contact on the seat and rim flange; contact on the seat yields X, on the flange yields Y.
- Signals are sampled over one revolution with a minimum of 128 points per seat.
- Signal analysis
- Harmonic decomposition using Fourier series: measurement X(θ) and Y(θ) are expressed as averages plus harmonic components (first, second, … nth).
- Criteria derived include peak-to-peak values, harmonic amplitudes (1st, 2nd, …), and locations of low/high points of the first harmonic.
Applications and users
ISO 16833 is used by:
- Wheel manufacturers and rim producers for production quality control and acceptance testing.
- Automotive OEMs and suppliers for component validation and assembly fitment checks.
- Test laboratories and metrology departments performing wheel uniformity, balancing and NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) investigations.
- R&D teams analyzing wheel geometry effects on vehicle dynamics.
Practical applications include wheel inspection, troubleshooting vibration sources, optimizing wheel balancing, and providing standardized measurement data for supplier contracts and conformity assessments.
Related standards
Normative references included in ISO 16833: ISO 3911, ISO 4000-2, ISO 4209-2, ISO 4223-1, ISO 5751-3, ISO 13326 and the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM). These define terms, rim/tyre interfaces and complementary test methods for tyre/wheel systems.
Keywords: ISO 16833:2006, radial run-out, lateral run-out, wheel measurement, wheel uniformity, run-out measurement, Fourier decomposition, wheel geometry, wheel testing, metrology.
