Need advice, steering feels loose and wanders?

rsaylor2682 · Apr 29, 2006

I have a 2004 CC 4x4 OF with a PRG leveling kit, 1 1/2" blocks in the rear. I had an alignment done after the kit was installed and had to take it back because they didn't get it right and my toe was way off. This caused the tires to wear on the outside edges in the front.

I just bought new Pro Comp Xtreme A/T 305/65-17 tires and had Nissan do the alignment this time. Before they aligned it I drove it for about 50 miles and it felt really loose and would follow every crack in the road. Nissan said that it was within specs but the tech felt it needed adjustments. He test drove it 3 times and had it on the rack 3 times to get it right. They said they gave me the best setting for tire wear while keeping the handling where it should be.

After Nissan's alignment the truck did/does feel better with the handling, but still feels really loose, especially on uneven pavement or after hitting any bumps. It also still wonders quite a bit. I looked at the tires today, about 500 ,miles later and noticed that the outside edges of the front tires are wearing quicker again, and It looks like the lower most section of the outside lugs appear to be cracking or getting tugged on. Looking at the truck straigt on the tires definetly are angled out at the top, and this is how it looked when I picked it up.

I know these tires have about 1" more of a contact patch than the stock size, but they appear to be having the same problems. Is there still something wrong with my alignment, do I need new cam bolts (mine are adjustable, but the first alignment shop said he had them tweaked all the way) can I buy something to correct all of this. When the dealer says it was within specs, does that only refer to the specs before the level kit?

Sorry to be long winded, I just want to get this straight before I screw up my new set of beautiful rubber!

Thanks!

rcantu · Apr 29, 2006

if your tires are wearing unevenly it's the alignment (most like toe) or the air pressure. what psi are you running?

rsaylor2682 · Apr 29, 2006

I seen that some of the guys on here with these tires are running 40, I've been trying 42.

Is it possible that the camber bolts aren't offering enough adjustment, and if so can I purchase some that will give more?

rcantu · Apr 29, 2006

I haven't seen anyone have aftermarket camber bolts. you should check w/ another shop that can do free alignment checks. I really think it's the toe.

Voodoo · Apr 30, 2006

from what little I know....

does that only refer to the specs before the level kit?

there is no book with the right #'s to set an alignment up to when you change it from stock....so this means its all up to the man doing the alignment to get it right.

if my alignment guy took three times to think he got it right....I would immediately be thinking that this guy doesnt have a clue and is practicing on my truck....

I have never experianced what you are mentioning...my only what if....question....

how long did you drive with the new tires on before you got it aligned, as once a tire wears a certain pattern, you are stuck with it, which means either getting new tires or dealing with the warped tread pattern.

maybe you could plea to the tire manufacturer that the tires are defective:cheers:

rsaylor2682 · Apr 30, 2006

I just grabbed the paperwork for the alignment from the truck. It shows:

Cross Camber 1.2
Cross Caster -0.3
Cross SAI -1.5
Total Toe 0.28

Do these look right? Could the loose feeling be attributed to the new more aggressive a/t tread? I had the stock BFG Rugged trails before and these Xtreme A/T's are the most aggresive I've ever owned.

When I grabbed the papers I looked over the tires again and seen some wear marks on the inside edge of the mud flaps. I believe I've been rubbing a small amount, and this could be the wear I'm seeing on the tires. I just pulled the flaps off and will trim them down a little and check the results tomorrow.

And to answer the last question, I was off in my previous quote. I probably only put about 20-25 miles on the tires before the alignment.

Thanks for your replies! By the way, these tires are wonderful. Just slightly rougher ride, my wife doesn't even notice a difference in ride quality. They do hum just ever so slightly after 45 mph or so.

rsaylor2682 · May 30, 2006

I wanted to bring this back upto the front to see what you guys think of these numbers. I'm going to have another shop check the alignment out, i'm still a little worried that Nissan didn't get it right.

If you look at my truck from the front, it appears to have way to much positive camber. I spoke with a guy at a tire shop Friday, and he said that when you look at the tire it should appear to have 0 camber, and told me to bring it in.

aaron_c · May 30, 2006

Hey man, I'm no expert or anything, but I do know that the 95-04 Tacomas and the Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee's are notorious for steering wander, and both are due to a thin/weak sway bar. It may appear to be nice and thick, but may be hollow like on the Jeeps (I think). But like I said, I'm no expert, so check with someone who owns a Titan, because I'm just a fan of the truck. Hope this somehow helps you, good luck.

troutking · May 30, 2006

woooooohooooooo

hossross · Jan 13, 2018

If you can visually see the tire is not perpendicular to the road at normal load condition ie driver + typical load, then the camber is not right.

As for wonder, toe and caster are more significant. I like to run at least 1.5 degree caster so it has some straight ahead feel, but the steering should also have some valley feel to it on center so you don't have to continually correct. My 05 Titan needs to be checked also as it requires constant attention to drive, it pulls a little, but has no valley or straight ahead feel to it.

I don't know what specs should be but they should have given you each wheel geometry and cross car as both can be out, but cross car within specs. Also if you are seeing tread scuffing in the small amount of miles you mentioned, my opinion is the geometry is off a lot

FishnAlaska · Jan 13, 2018

Yeah, this thread is 11 years old, sure they figured it out back in 2006....

hossross · Jan 14, 2018

good point didn't look at the date only the topic , ha ha they probably wore out 4 sets of tires since then

Need advice, steering feels loose and wanders?

rsaylor2682

rcantu

rsaylor2682

rcantu

Voodoo

rsaylor2682

rsaylor2682

aaron_c

troutking

hossross

FishnAlaska

hossross

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities