2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission New Tires - Steering Weirdness...?

[SpoonPig007]

I got new tires put on (Terra Grapplers). . and ever since then, the truck is just handling oddly. I thought it was just new rubber, and I would get used to it, but now I don't think so. It's hard to explain, but here goes:



At highway speeds, If I make a lane change, the truck seems to not respond initially, then oversteers in the new direction. Once I straighten out, it feels as though the back end swerves back into the lane instead of following the front tires. I am running 80 PSI all the way around, the tired seem balanced, and there is no pulling if I let go of the wheel.



Now here is where it gets weird... if I get on the go pedal, the truck seems to pull left, when I let up all the way, it pulls left... brakes straight.



Any ideas? The old set of tires seemed fine (36k... I didn't need the new ones, just wanted them). I visually looked at all the tires, they seem fine for what that's worth.



I have noticed some occasional popping during full lock turn in parking lots, but that has done it since it was new.

 

[PLaFrombois]

What size tires and wheels do you have? It might be a balance problem. Did they just mount the tires to the wheels and spin balance? No tire and wheel are perfectly round, what they should have done is mount the tire to the wheel according to where that imperfection is then spin balance. It might take them a couple of times to mount than check the balance then have to remount the tire in another location to get it balanced to the wheel. Another thing to do is lower your air pressure. Unless you're towing all the time it seems to be a bit high just for everyday driving.

Paul

 

[SpoonPig007]

I went with the stock size... 265/75 E. I usually keep the PSI right at the sidewall max, as I tow frequently, and don't feel like airing up and down all the time.



When they balanced, they did it on the spin balancer, mounted. The ride is perfectly smooth, so I doubt they are out of balance.



If I drop the front PSI, will that lend more to understeer? Are there any F1 Chassis engineers out there?

 

[jhutton]

Wierd handling with new tires

I think the max air pressure values on the sidewall are way too high and unbalanced for general use. I run 45 psi front and 40 psi rear cold on an '01 Quad Cab HO with lots of engine mods.



Tread pattern can have an amazing effect of handling and I have had some really troubling problems on my 94 Land Cruiser with some tires prone to nibbling and wandering on their own. I avoid tread patterns with open channels in the middle for sure but I've had problems with open channels equally placed on the inside and outside areas too.

 

[SMorneau]

This is so simple, but most hun-yuck tire guys don't know it. There is a table you can find on Goodyears website. This table gives inflation values for your tires with different loads.





Please note the following points:

1) These are all tires of a particular size and rating regardless of the manufacturer.

2) These pressures work and will make your tires wear better and drive better.

3) Use a scale to determine actual weights.

4) Read all of the notes for the tables.

5) There are tables for cars too, if your into that sort of thing



I bought a set of Coopers for my 96 std cab and the tire guys would not set them as I requested (53psi front, 35 PSI rear). They actually warned me that would be unsafe and they refused. I got the owner to poke around some industry reference books he had and showed him that it was not only safe it was recommended! He was a little embarrassed! As I was leaving a young technician came running out of the shop to warn me about the dangers of underinflation. I fourn his warning so sincere that I went over it again for his benefit.



My neighbor started using this chart for his PSD and he was amazed at how far off his pressure guessing was and how much better his tires wear when following the chart.



You should have gotten this same chart with your truck if you bought it new.

 

[Steve Campbell]

I had something "similar"...

last sumer on my 99. It turned out to be the "toe-in-adjuster" on the tie rod was "loose" on one end. I found it by wiggling up and down on the tie rod in the "inboard" side of the adjuster. The only way I could get all of the play out was to get an air wrench and oil to free up and then cinch down the "locking" bolts.

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by SMorneau

This is so simple, but most hun-yuck tire guys don't know it. There is a table you can find on Goodyears website. This table gives inflation values for your tires with different loads.

SMorneau - Could you track down that web address and post it for us? I looked around, and could not find it.

 

[LSMITH]

My new tires are doing the same thing, IMO it is sidewall roll. The tires will "break in" some and they will drive better within a few thousand miles.

 

[SpoonPig007]

This morning, aired down to 50 psi, front and rear... drove to work, problem is gone.



This bothers me, I can understand a difference in ride quality, but not in straight line stablility. I can't believe the bi difference 25 PSI would make!!!