steering problem after new tyres and lift.

[duikerHilux]

Hi Guys

I have just fitted new cooper st maxx 265/65/17 tyres on my 2012 3.0 hilux club cab 4x4. I also lifted the front with iron man and bigger shackles for the back. Now the problem is....my steering feels loose...almost like the front wheels are pulling the steering wheel left and right....not like a shake but more like its swerving... this started happening after the new tires. Before the ride was smooth and solid. So have anyone here experienced this before and is this a serious problem or what can it be. Thanks

[pietpetoors]

Did they check wheel alignment? Wrong camber can do that

[duikerHilux]

Yeah after the lift hob they did it. But i think i should go and have it checked again. Its a wierd feeling on the steering wheel...almost like its loose or like the wheels suddenly want to go left briefly then right again and so on. Same feeling like when your wheels try to follow a track on a dirt road. Before the tires it was smooth all day everyday

[ThysdJ]

Check the tyre pressures too. Might be that it is actually normal now, and with the old tyres it became sluggish and unresponsive over time..

[louis fourie]

When I did a suspension lift and fitted Cooper STT's I had the same problem. Replaced the tyres with BF Muds - problem solved. Hope your problem is not the same.

[ChrisF]

also remember that new suspension will "settle" - and then the wheel alignment must be set again.

[LouisZ]

Alignment not done correct. Remember in some cases if they choose the wrong year model on the machine when doing the alignment it can be out.

SAw this numerous times. check your sheet if it correspond with your year model.

[Rianc]

Had the same problem after I fitted new dynapros. I could not manage to keep the bakkie on the road. A friend of mine one day pointed out to me that my tyres is over inflated. When checked, 260kPa! cold. Dropped to 210 and the problem was sorted. I think what happened that the fitment centre done this to get a good seal on the rim and never released air to correct specs.

[Mud Dog]

Tend to agree with the above ..... more often than not it's an alignment problem and then sometimes tyre pressures. If the alignment is too close to 'dead ahead' you can have those symptoms, the alignment should be about 1° to 1½° toe in for a positive feel on the steering. Incorrect castor can also influence this dramatically, but I have to wonder if that was somehow altered with the 'lift'. Hope it's just something small.

[kritsotis13]

Maybe you need a better steering dumper.

[hendrik.earle]

I had a problem on my Vigo where the downtravel on the front suspention was too much for the steering rack-ends after a lift. It damaged the plastic damper inside the rack-ends and there was too much play on the steering after that.

[Hangover]

Caster Angle!!! Although i have leaf springs in the front after fitting extended shackles my caster angle went to -1deg and my cruiser is now all over the road! The more positive the caster the more the vehicle tends to move in a straight line. The more negative the caster the car will "broach" or dive if i can try and explain.