Tires going bad or something else???

For the last couple of days when driving, especially on rutted roads, my truck has had this floating and somewhat wobbling feeling. I had the alignment checked, while the camber was out of spec(negative) everything else was fine and nothing was noted on the suspension....no leaks or anything loose. One good roads it drive okay, but on freeways at high speed (65+) still somewhat have this feeling.

My first guess is that the tires may be going bad, not unusual especially during the blazing Arizona summer, but if anybody has other things to check or suspect....I'm all ears.

TIA for any help.

 

how old are your struts/shocks? if you've got a lot of mileage on them, it might be on its way out and it's losing the ability to dampen on rough roads.

 

The rears were replaced 6 months ago and was planning to replace the fronts as well....they are OE with 160k on them.

Thanks.

 

Do this first. You can also play with air pressures to see if the tires like more or less pressure.

 

Why am I thinking bearings, ball joints or idler arm?

 

When you say "floating" feeling, do you mean it acts like it wants to wander around the lane? Maybe a little more detail here. A lot of stuff can cause that feeling. Overinflated tires, soft suspension, tie rods, linkage...

 

I checked the wheel bearings....no play in the wheels, and it steers fine with normal amount of play for a 1st gen.
The tires have the same amount of psi I always run at(32 psi).

As for the "floating" feeling, when on a freeway at 65+ it doesn't wander but I just do feel like it's gliding and not riding on the road. On regular streets on good roads it's okay, but bad roads it takes an effort to maintain it straight over ruts, bumps and potholes.


...and that avatar.

 

i'm going to say that the front struts are totally worn out. if the struts cannot rebound and dampen quick enough, it will make the truck wander around. get them replace and you'll probably notice a big improvement.

 

This^^ There is an old test for bad struts and shocks grab the Front bumper and yank it up and down hard a few times if you let go and the truck is still moving up and down ie porposing see above :}

Cypher

 

What do you consider normal? There shouldn't be ANY play in the bearings or tie rods.

I agree here. It does sound more like strut issues. most of the "wandering, floating" feelings tend to be in the front. This is more supported by the comment that you replaced the rears, but not the fronts, and you are at 180k miles.