TRD PRO - Installed 35" tires - Alignment

Hey Folks, I've researched the forums and couldn't find exactly the answer I am looking for. I installed 35X12.5X18 Kenda Klever RTs on my 23 TRD PRO and for some reason, the steering wheel is off-center now... The car isn't pulling per se but any idea what could be causing this alignment issue?

 

Yes, steering wheel.

 

Did you get a lift install at same time? Turn off lane assisted. ? Hit any big bumps after? Jump the truck ?

 

No sir, just the tires.

 

Well I can tell you something isn’t adding up. I put next size tire on my platinum with new wheels and hadn’t have a problem for 8k. Not saying it’s you. No alignment done.

I would take it back to the place that install your tires. Have them check work and lug torque spec

 

There is no shake - so I would doubt the lug torque is an issue. Just the steering wheel is off-center. Sounds like I need an alignment but I am curious if something else could be the culprit.

 

Maybe the tire hit the sway bar at full lock or travel of shock. How much is it off by? 1 degree or like 1-2 o clock position

 

Slightly off.

 

I would just check the lug spec and call it a day. I turn my lane assist off permanently. I mean if it’s not pulling hard while going 50mph I won’t worry about it.

 

Swap front tires to other side and report back.

 

Back at the shop. Air pressure is good and lugs are torqued to spec. No issues with clearance.

 

I’m at the shop now. If it starts pulling to the other side would it be a balancing or tire issue?

 

I would say a tire issue. A balancing issue should just give a shimmy or vibrations at all or some speeds.

 

And if all remains the same?

 

Then I would revisit your alignment theory being off. Still doesn’t explain why though.

 

Switched the front tires and fixed the issue. Looks like a tire defect! Thanks @ZPhilip !!

 

That’s crazy a tire could throw off steering wheel center.

 

It's interesting for sure! Curious if there might've been an issue with mounting, but there was no shake in the steering.

 

What did they do? Switch left to right or front to back? You still got the same tire. I mean what really changed?

 

Switched the two front wheels. The left went to the right, and right went to the left as @ZPhilip recommended.

 

So there’s a left and right side wheel. That’s not possible. They must’ve messed up somewhere and made a correction this time around.

 

What's there to mess up though? The wheels were balanced, and they torqued them in front of me. I took it for a drive after they torqued the wheels and it had the same issue. They swapped the front two tires and it fixed the issue...

 

I’m not sure but guess you’re not a mechanic and I’m not saying I am. But after 100 miles I would check torque again. Happy trucking.

 

Thanks for your input man.

 

So 2 new tires? Glad to see an issue resolved quickly!

 

IF it were me and the truck was not pulling and when they swap the tires it corrects the issue.
I would want at very minimum those 2 tires replaced.
It could be a weak or a month and you have the same issue or a new one.

I am suspicious because anything that is tire related that would cause off center would also cause it to pull.
I wonder if they found something they did and corrected it without saying anything.