steering loose/dealer blames tires

[dutchie]

Since I changed my tires to yokohoma geolander h/t size 155-65-16 I`ve been experiencing loads of problems with my steering.
The car pulls hardly when I drive on a road with lots of "truck tracks". The dealer tightend the steering several times but no change. Than the dealer brought the car to a tire specialist and they concluded that these tires weren`t suitable for this type of car.

I`ve never heard of this before I thought that the yokohoma geolander h/t `s were especially destined for a car like the VX.
Even the width 155 against the stock 145 shouldn`t cause that kind of problem..I thought...
Can you guys shine a light on this....I`m getting really frustrated.
Thanks !

[Virus-VX]

You mentioned "loose steering"!!! Can you describe more specifically what do you feel? Based on your perceptions what can you notice? Wandering? Drifting to the right or left side of the road? "Oversteer" when making a turn? Cannot keep steering wheel straight (have to steer all of the time to keep car moving straight)?

[dutchie]

basically it drifts to the right or left side of the road, kinda like a train, it wants to follow the tracks heavy trucks made.
On a good road the car will go straight, without any pulling or anything, but as soon as the road is uneven, I have to hold both hands on the wheel and I can`t let go or my car will pull hard to any side those tracks run.
Scary stuff...

[Virus-VX]

OK. I see.
Let me express my understanding on what possibly going on with your moving pattern. I'm guessing of course!!! Please do not kill me if I sound stupid.
It is very possible that your new tires could change geometry and resistibility of your suspension system and result would definitely effect your steering system as well. If your wheel alignment is in the normal range and your steering ball joints properly set then I would say that steering system react on "road crown" more intensive than it was before when you had your stock tires. Ask you mechanic to inspect geometry of your suspension system and check upper steering ball joints (may be off-set adjustment needed). Also ask to check tightness of the steering stabilizer bar (I'm not sure if VX equipped with SSB). Just my thoughts on that.

[Virus-VX]

Another idea -
Cross-rotate your front tires. If that doesn't help, rotate your rears to the front. If that still doesn't help, cross those.
Also, find another independent tire/alignment shop and ask them to run front alignment diagnostic procedure. If alignment is off the manufacturer specs, then I ask them to print out diagnostic report and bring it back to the dealership service for realignment procedure.

[Raque Thomas]

How about tire pressure - is it the same L to R? try changing it, probably lower if you are experiencing these problems - just a thought! Also, you might want to have a rep from the company that mfg's the tires look at it, as I can't imagine the tires making THAT much difference! What did the tire dealer say? However, my car has done all of these things since I got it (with 8500 miles on it), and I just chalked it up to the stiff suspension. It's been aligned three times (now has 17,900 miles on it) to try to correct a left pull (to no avail!). Of course I'm in the fast lane 98.9% of the time, and it's usually crowned right - hence the left pull? I used to have a TR6 that would follow the ruts in the road too - I got used to it after a while.

[AnalogVX]

I have to agree with Virus-VX about the road crown. Mine does the same thing at times and I would imagine the wider the tire the more pronounced the "road feel". I think it's kind of a neat feeling. I expirenced the same thing with a Trans_am and Fireo I once owned.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by AnalogVX
I have to agree with Virus-VX about the road crown. Mine does the same thing at times and I would imagine the wider the tire the more pronounced the "road feel". I think it's kind of a neat feeling. I expirenced the same thing with a Trans_am and Fireo I once owned.

My Fiero and VX both like to react to the road crown. My VX still has the stock Bridgestones on it and it pulls to the right if I'm on the right side of a "crowned" road surface...tracks center if I move in the middle of the road "straddling" the crown and pulls to the left if I go into the left "wrong" lane being on the left side of a "crowned" road surface. It is only noticable on some of the old back country roads I traverse and you can see the crowning of the road surface with the naked eye. Wider tires sound like they probably intensify this effect.

P.S.---I've not yet had the alignment checked but my tires have worn very nice so it must not be an alignment issue.

[dutchie]

Thanks a bunch guys, I`ll go back to tomorrow with a printed version of this page!
Serge

[MrCrowley]

I'm not too sure about your tire measurements on the other side of the pond, but Im thinking that your new tires are taller than the stock ones? When I went from stock to 265/75/16's I noticed a vast difference between ride qualities Like you mention. I pretty much am used to using two hands except momentarily or straight smooth roads. On rough surfaces it really is a fight, but manageable. It seems to handle ok on hard left or right turns, but has a lot of play between the exremes. I dont think anything is wrong- but who knows maybe something is bummed up under your truck somewhere. Good luck

[dutchie]

Duh sorry yes my size is 255/65-16 which means that it`s abit wider and a bit lower than the original 245/70-16.

[ScottinMA]

Dutchie,

The dealer is right. I'm running 285/50/18s and they track the grooves much more so that the stock tires. Just keep your hand on the wheel and you'll be OK

Scott

[dutchie]

Thanks Scott and all the rest, I feel relieved that it`s just the tires, and not some internal steering defect
Thanks again, you guys rock!

[Charon_Sin]

I have the same problem. Pulls to the right and follows the tracks in the road. I have 15 inch rims and 31 inch BFG all-terrainTA Tires inflated to 36 PSI all the way around. It does not seem to matter which way the crown of the road is going it will just pull right. I have to get an alignment every 3 months or it will get bad. Several shops have looked at it and they say everything is ok mechanically.