Balancing Theory - Couple Imbalance 
Dynamic imbalance is defined as a condition where one or more locations of the 
tire/wheel assembly are heavier causing an imbalance force and/or an imbalance 
shake and wobble. Shown below is a tire/wheel assembly with two heavy spots of 
equal weight which are located 180 degrees radically from each other on opposite 
sides. As this assembly rotates, centrifugal forces cause a large imbalance wobble to 
be created, but the imbalance force (as well as the static imbalance) will be zero. A 
wheel with this condition will cause a wobble or shimmy to be felt in the steering 
wheel. Excessive dynamic imbalance of this type creates a shimmy that transfers 
through the suspension components to the occupants of the vehicle, especially at 
higher speeds. 
IMBALANCE WOBBLE 
(LATERAL TWIST OR TORQUE)
FRONT VIEW
ZERO STATIC IMBALANCE WITH LARGE 
COUPLE IMBALANCE 
Modern “dynamic” balancers spin the wheel in order to measure both the up and 
down static imbalance force and couple wobble or shimmy related imbalance (side-
to-side).  
Dynamic balancers direct the operator to place correction weights on the inside and 
outside correction locations of the rim, or a single weight away from the center of the 
wheel, so that both imbalance shake (static) and imbalance wobble (couple) will be 
eliminated.
14
 Introduction to Balancing  GSP9720JLR Wheel Balancer Operation Instructions