Front end feeling loose.

So the Taco and I are still getting acquainted and I have a situation that I'd really appreciate some feedback on. Here goes...

Often when on the highway (70 mph) the front end feels like it is a little squirley. What it feels like is the truck is being buffeted by swirling winds, although all indications are that there aren't any winds present. I am still on the stock Dunlop tires, which I have very little faith in. Closing in on 30k miles, so those will probably be disappearing soon.

My question is, is this something that others have experienced? Is their a deeper issue with steering linkage or something I don't know about in the IFS that I should look into?

I really appreciate any help in advance, thanks guys!

 

When I get that feeling I tighten wheel bearings and it goes away. 30000 is pretty much at the mark.

 

Must say I noticed this today, first time I have been on the interstate in quite some time, and I thought I was tired for a min, then realized NO the truck is def loose feeling.

 

Thanks BlueT, I'll see if I can zero in on that. I'll admit I'm not a wrencher and don't have experience working on my vehicle beyond basic maintenance. We will see what happens!

 

BadgerCO4X4,

The Dunlops are notoriuos for poor handling. Sway and wander are two of the most common faults. I removed my Dunlops at 1300 miles because of this. I Jumped sizes as well and went to a 265x70R-16 to put more rubber on the road. It became a completely different truck then.

 

Yeah, I was figuring the most likely culprit was the crappy tires... Definitely on the chopping block soon.

 

Sub'd

 

Check tire air pressure, simple and easy starting point.

 

My 09 felt like that when it was new. I ended up changing out the 245 tires for 265, TSB rear leafs, upgraded to 5100s (.85 lift preloads the springs some), and got it aligned to 0/0/2.5 (I think those are the numbers, check the Suspension folder). Of those, the alignment to those specs made the most improvement. You MUST SPECIFY those specs though as the stock spec ranges don't help much.

Even now though, it can still feel "floaty" on the highway, just not as bad as original.