Handling is Sketchy!

I've owned my 2010 Tundra Dbl Cab w/ 6.5 bed for 10 years as the original owner w/ 160k miles. About 5k miles ago, I upgraded the original wheels to KMC XD Series 20x9 w/ 285/60R20 General Grabber A/TX tires. The new setup with wider tires and different offset on the wheel, put the outside of the tire approximately 4" wider, which required cutting a portion of the cab frame to allow full turning with no rub (no structural effect). I didn't lift the truck as I use it for construction work and don't want it any higher as I have side tool boxes.

The new setup looks great, but the handling has changed significantly. Shortly after the wheel change, I had the whole truck realigned so that the tires would wear correctly and maybe fix the handling. The traction on the tires is much better than the stock tires, especially in wet conditions. The problem is that the steering is now very "floaty". I feel like I'm driving a boat...not very accurate. At highway speeds (over 60), it's downright scary! I'm checking if anyone has had similar experiences with a wider wheel setup and what might be the problem. I'll do what it takes, but don't want to waste money on things that don't fix it. I'm leaning towards sway bars, different shocks, suspension upgrades, etc. Any advice? TIA!!

BT

 

Wider tires and wide offset setup is going to increase bumpsteer and tramlining. This problem is exacerbated by crappy roads with pot holes and bad grooves. The tires want to follow every bump and groove in the road.

With your wheel setup i wouldnt think that it would be so bad that it's scary to drive though.

I'm curious to what the alignment specs are. Did they give you a print out of the numbers last time?

 

No specs on the alignment. The alignment helped the drivability a little, but not much.

 

I'd get the alignment checked, some places will do that for free. You should always get a print off to see what everything is at. Like dude above said, you're changing suspension geometry but I agree I don't see why that should make it scary to drive, especially just tracking in a straight line. Tires squealing in sharp turns or increased steering feedback and effort would be what I expect.

 

I haven't changed or lifted the suspension. From some reading on other car sites, I'm wondering if there is too much play in the steering/ball joints. Does anyone have recommendations for front end modifications that would tighten up the steering?

 

To regurgitate from other threads (no personal experience), maybe go to a tire shop that does road force balancing. Maybe it is that simple. Some forum members have been shocked at how much this has helped with handling and driving on new tires.

 

How long has it been since you replaced ball joints and tie rod ends? How are your steering rack bushings?

 

The ball joints & tie rods are original as are the steering rack bushings. I didn't have any steering issues before the wheel/tire change. Maybe the change is just magnifying the need to make some improvements.

 

I’d start there. The shop that did the alignment should have checked them.

 

Tires just need to bed in. Give it another few miles.

 

Yes and no.

No you havent put a lift kit on, but by adding the wider offset tire you have messed with the steering geometry, namely the scrub radius.

I'm not an wheel alignment expert but i know that increasing width like that away from the steering axis makes it harder for the wheels to stay going straight. No toe angle and not enough caster angle will do that also.

The above poster is also correct. New tires can feel floaty too, but after 5000 miles i dunno if you could still blame it on that. Some tires will always feel floaty though. All terrains and mud terrains can feel like that. There is a reason that "highway" tires always have the same straight rib tread design.

What kinda road conditions are we talking that are scary? Smooth roads or bumpy with big grooves from trucks?

Do you still have the original wheels? I would reinstall them for a week and compare. That will tell you right away if its a wheel issue.

 

I don't have the old wheels/tires. The change in handling was a complete difference at the change, so I know it's a combination of new tires and wider stance. I'm in central Florida, so most roads are decent. The scary handling is on I-4 expressway where depending on what section or lane can be fairly new to some U shaped depressions in the tire paths. I've had some pretty aggressive tires (stock size and stock rims) in the past and haven't had this experience before. So based on timing (the wheel/tire change) and my past experience with different tire treads/patterns and that I've driven this truck for over 10 years, I'm thinking it's the wider stance and steering axis.

What would be an upgrade that could help minimize this problem? Appreciate all the insight on this too!!

 

Are you still using the original shocks/ struts? If so I would do them at the same time as the joints and then have the alignment checked. Shocks are the one thing people don't realize how bad they are since they go bad so slowly. With that many miles (about what I have) I would have done them before doing an alignment.

 

Yes, I'm still on the original. Before I replace to new, I wanted to see if anyone had a recommendation for better aftermarket. I'm spending the money for labor etc. anyway, so if a few hundred gets me a better product, I'm all ears!

 

I4 is like a rollercoaster with all the construction, i'm not surprised you are having trouble.

If the shocks are blown out you would definitely have a hard time keeping it in your lane on I4 going through orlando, but would think you would have noticed this before the new tires. With bad shocks the suspension is very bouncy. Nothing there to smooth out the bumps.

It is my understanding that increasing caster angle will help stability at high speed. This is often overlooked compared to camber and toe angle which greatly affect tire wear.

If it was me, id probably try new shocks and find an alignment shop that will adjust to get the max caster angle while keeping camber in spec also.

 

After some research today, I think that the caster angle adjustment (after front end upgrades) should provide a better driving experience.

Still looking for some good advice on new struts/shocks from members here.