Steering Issue

Hello everyone,

here is my issue.

I recently lifted my 05 TRD Sport with an OME setup, and a set of new 255/80/17 Cooper Discoverer MAXX.

Ever since the tires went on, shortly after I got the lift, my steering is very squishy. Meaning, it's rather hard to keep the truck straight, regardless of speeds. Although it tends to get worse at higher speeds.
And on top of that, when I hit bumps or pot holes, the steering tends to jerk me left or right, whichever tire hits the bump first.

I don't have an aftermarket UCA installed yet, one is ordered though. Which means, the caster values on the front are no more than 0.9 or 1.0, making my tires lean out at the top rather much. I'll post some pics here in a second.

Any thoughts on what can cause that? If this has been addressed, my apologies. Not sure how I should search for that issue.

Thanks!

Chris

 

Sounds like your alignment is crappy. UCAs and alignment will help huge.

 

You really think that's gonna do it?

I mean, I had my alignment checked after the tires went on, but I know the casters should be 2.5 to 3.0 in an ideal situation with my lift.

 

I had similar issues and still do to some extent, much of it fixed with alignment. I'm on stock UCAs so limited in what I can accomplish, but I'd be willing to bet that your issues would be significantly helped by an alignment, and with 3" lift the UCAs will help quite a bit.

 

What are your casters at, if you remember at all.

 

Just saw this. Sorry, I don't remember the numbers and it was months ago, so the paperwork is long gone.

I didn't follow the usual suggestions for alignment, in the end I asked for that and got the service writer telling me to remain in spec and compensate for road crown and didn't give me the numbers I asked for. But, it was a big improvement so I let it ride. Next time around I'll be asking for specific alignment numbers or close to them and expect even more improvement.

 

I looked at your numbers, it seems as though my caster is WAY too low, at 1.0 / 0.9
Just participated in the All Pro UCA group buy, those should make the difference.
As far as the camber is concerned, I was off by thinking this is what makes the tire wander.

I just called a local 4x4 shop, they do alignments. I talked to the guy on the phone and he seemed to understand exactly what I was talking about with my issues. So I'm going to take it in there next week.