What level of imbalance is considered normal?

Of course, making a perfect wheel is impossible, and since we are talking about a wheel-and-tyre set, the quality of the complete wheel depends directly on the quality of each of these components. That is why there are certain ranges, tolerances, within which the imbalance present is considered acceptable.

While measuring a tyre’s static imbalance is, for an ordinary motorist or tyre fitter, practically an impossible task, assessing the dynamic imbalance (from the mass of the balance weights used) and assessing the radial and lateral runout of the wheel is fairly easy to do during balancing. That said, to measure a wheel’s runout accurately you need to find a tyre fitter with the special equipment for it.

The interstate standard GOST 4754-97 is in force in Russia (“Pneumatic tyres for passenger cars, their trailers, light trucks and buses of extra small capacity. Specifications”, introduced in 1999). Among other things, this standard sets out the maximum permitted values for static imbalance, the mass of the corrective weights needed to offset dynamic imbalance, and the maximum permitted figures for wheel runout (see the table).

Note that the standard does not set tolerances for radial tyres whose rim diameter is over 16 inches, and also that the maximum permitted safe values in the standard are based on the traffic regulations in force. So if you sometimes allow yourself to break the speed limit, your own personal requirements should be somewhat stricter than the standard, directly depending on speed (the higher the speed, the stricter the requirements should be).

It is also worth noting that failing to meet the requirements of GOST 4754-97 the first time a wheel is balanced is grounds for returning or exchanging a new wheel or a new tyre at the shop, though you will need to get it all down on paper.