"weird" question about front end

i have noticed a little bit of a "floating" sensation with the front end.

I changed the wheels and tires for the winter. but didn't notice it right away.

any ideas?

 

By floating you mean....?

Maybe your springs are worn?

 

I have found "straight ahead" steering on my "new" '09 (purchased 10/24/2016) to be surprisingly light for a vehicle of its type--which could well be described as a bit of a "floating" sensation. There is nothing I can find worn or loose in the front-end or steering mechanism, the tires are new OEM Dunlops and I have come to believe it is just the nature of the beast. Perhaps your winter setup highlights this characteristic?

 

it just doesn't feel tight going down the highway. like I kind of have to "over correct" the steering. if that makes sense.

it's a 2014 with 60k miles. I can't imagine the springs are worn out. it was driven by an older guy on the highway.

i just ordered 5100s front and back. I plan on using stock coils. if the problem persists I may have to get new coils and see if that helps

 

Alignment I'm guessing.

 

Alignment

 

I'm going to get an alignment once I get the 5100s on. parts should be here next week, so I guess I can put up with it for a few more days

 

Yep, same as above. If there isn't enough caster, you'll get a wandering or floating feeling, especially at highway speeds.

 

My truck did something similar, check the little Ujoint in the intermediate steering shaft!

Just get someone to wiggle the steering wheel while you watch the Ujoint.

Or crawl under the truck and feel it while someone is moving the steering wheel back and forth. You should feel both sides of the Ujoint moving at the same time, if there's any clunking the Ujoint is shot.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUpcisijBk0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Vi-HSRRSA

 

interesting. I will check that U joint. that's what it feels like. if it was alignment you would think I would have felt it right away when I changed the tires. it was a month or so later.

 

Mine seized up before it got all loosy goosy. Worth taking a look at. I know it's not unheard of for the intermediate shaft to fail.

 

Don't just go in and ask for an alignment. Go in and TELL them what you want your alignment set to.
Maximum amount of caster available with as close to 0 camber as possible. If they complain or argue about your request, TURN AROUND AND FIND ANOTHER SHOP.

 

thanks for the advice on the alignment. I have no idea what that means, but I will act like I do

 

Changing tires has no effect on alignment.

 

True, but the old tires may have been "misshaped" from the bad alignment, and wouldn't be noticeable.