Stiffen Steering?

I have an '18 DCLB Off Road and am wanting to see if there is a way I can stiffen up my steering some. I know that the suspension is "tuned for offroad" and rubbery as opposed to the stock suspension on the Sport, but the past few months it just seems like when I'm on the highway I'm constantly moving the wheel to keep straight. Two weeks ago I replaced the stock Wranglers with some 255/85r16 Cooper ST Maxxs and the smaller width and tread squirm that comes with them seems to be making the loose steering even more pronounced.

Any recommendations or insight?

 

Alignment plays a factor in how the truck tracks. Also my truck feels a little 'looser' since I swapped my sport sway bar for an OR one (2mm more narrow). Don't know if that's in my own head but it feels different.

 

Try an alignment

 

Have you had the alignment checked yet.

My 2018 acted squirrelly on the road and when I took it in for the 6month check I mentioned my concerns. Stock vehicle with less that 3K and the alignment was off from the factory.

It’s much better now although I still feel like it could tweaked more.

 

Did you get an alignment? Having the caster set close to + 2.5 if possible will help with wandering

 

Wow everyone was typing same thing at same time...lol

 

The tire shop did an alignment after installing the tires. I'm sure some have an opinion on that though. I'll have to see if I can find the specs, not that I know much about what they'd mean.

 

Then it has to be true!

 

The shop probably set the caster within spec. You want them to max it out, while keeping the camber and toe at 0.

 

Roger that, I will see if I can find the spec sheet and post it for further TacomaWorld analysis lol. I know nothing about alignment.

 

From https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

Increasing the amount of positive caster will increase steering effort and straight line tracking, as well as improve high speed stability and cornering effectiveness. Positive caster also increases tire lean when cornering (almost like having more negative camber) as the steering angle is increased.

What's the downside to positive caster? If the vehicle doesn't have power steering, a noticeable increase in steering effort will be felt as positive caster is increased. Other than that, the effects of positive caster are pretty much "positive," especially increasing the lean of the tire when the vehicle is cornering while returning it to a more upright position when driving straight ahead.

 

How does this look?

 

With the stock suspension, a dip in the road with send the truck into oncoming traffic. Stiffen the suspension will stiffen the steering .

 

Yeah I want to do 5100s at some point.

 

If you want more control, a stiffer suspension is the way to go .A lot of people have 5100s here

 

yah but it also increases bump-steering which is annoying as F. I upgraded my suspension and every dip and bump is more noticeable because it's stiffer. Is there a way to reduce bump-steer?

 

Caster looks good.

Caster looks real good. Camber and toe, you can see + on one side - on other side. I like it when sides match +, I feel it drive much better. Some don't because crown of road.

 

Drain the power steering fluid and put in some 90 weight

 

Ml k

It's because of the 255/85/16 tires...

You basically have zero scrub radius. Your SAI is directly center of your tire now. Any load transfer to the left or right side of tires will make it wander. You need about 1/4" of positive scrub. A 3/4" spacer would fix it, but it will more than likely rub; it puts you at about the same place as a 285/75/16, as far as poke.

255/85/16s fit, but they don't 'work'.

 

Are you running wheel spacers or high offset wheels?