I recently replaced my stock 15’s with 17’s wearing 225\45\17 tires and discovered two problems.

Problem #1 - While removing the 15’s I noticed that the treadwear on all 4 tires was uneven. The inner and outer halfs of the tire had different tread depths.

Problem #2 – I have noticed a considerable amount of jerking on the steering wheel. What I mean is the imperfections in the road are trying to control my steering. I noticed this slightly before the tire upgrade, but now it is very noticeable. The steering has a looser feel to it now that the stiffer tires are on the car.

An alignment is already scheduled for this weekend, but what else do I need to be ready for the shop to tell me is wrong? Without having a lift and air tools, is there anything I might try to replace before going for the alignment?

Thanks.

 

control arm bushings, or if you don't want to screw around, the whole arm.
I sell it both ways

 

the jerking and pulling is more just because of the type of tire.

Tie Rod Ends and ball joints might come up, its better to do those then get an allignment because then you only need to get one.

You can do control arm bushings aswell.

 

my car used to pull like that, and i think it might have been either a bad tie rod end or it could have been my bad struts.....what shape are your struts in?

 

Big wide wheels/tires make slight suspension problems, bigger problems.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Want back the ol' granpa easy comfo control? Replace your wearing 17’s 225\45\17 race tires with stock comfo 15’s. I would never ride such iron rings on the jumpy roads u have, but then what do I know, I already am married and have family...

 

I recently replaced my stock 15's wit 17's wearing 225/50/17. The first problem I had was a wheel bearing going out on the driver's side, so I ended up replacing both sides along with two complete control arms. Now the ride is better, but I still get wandering when I hit a bump or ride across rough roads. It feels as though the car is driving itself sometimes. I noticed that the outer tie-rod end is busted, so that could be part of my problem. I plan to replace the inner and the outer soon. Also, my dust boots on the struts have bit the dust, may have damaged the struts as well. They needed replacing too as well as the springs.

jay

 

lower control arm bushing. I know from experience. i had to rpl one. gonna do the other this weekend. had 17 niche haaz rims with 215/45 tires. passenger side wore down on the inside. also noticed alot of jerking when i would pull off or speed up

 

And I already determined you had that wacky tabaccy as well... but that's an old OT subject.

And bump steer can come from a lot of things. You say you noticed it was starting to do this before you put the new rims on. So that says a bushing is going somewhere. Just to give these people an idea what all can be effected to cause bump steer.

Bad struts,
Bad lower control arm bushings,
Bad ball joint,
Bad tie rod end,
Bad Rack and pinion,
Bad bearings,
Even bad tires

Any of those could cause you to have some bump steer. Thing is, other problems happen with each of them.

Like a bad bearing, you'd get bump steer... as well as some pulling or wandering. It's just the bushings and tie rod ends usually go first.

 

I have been reading thru the stickies and org member wite ups on replacing the suggested parts. Everything mentioned addresses the front end, what should I be looking for in the back? The tread wear problem is all around.

 

Bad alignment... bushings, struts... same usual stuff. But if your tread is just uneven... bad alignment.

 

Question for the org.

Will a front end alignment be needed after installing front struts and springs?

jay

 

ANYTHING you shange involving suspension demands an alignment.

 

thanks,

jay

 

I Replaced my Control arm bushings and still had a steering problem.

My suggestion would be to lift both the front tires up and then..

check to see if there is any play left/right also in/out.

have some one view the steering rack (rack and pinion) bushing in the driver side. if it moves then you need a new one, and thats what is causing the bad steering.

when i replaced my bushing they were craking and incomplete. (parts of bushign were missing!). im no expert though...

 

the bushings you are referring too... are the ones that holds the rack to the chassis? correct

jay

 

Yea, if they are craking apart, then your wheels will have small play while your driving. Cant really explain, but they will have a small amt of room to steer by them selves (dependig on how bad your bushings are). the tie rods make your tires turn so if their base where they are attached is loose then the tires have small amt of room to make the tire turn left/right.

Cant say for sure thats your problem but i would look in to it. besides they are dirt cheap @ $10 for both of them at Oreilly.

 

Ok,

Thanks for the info on the rack bushings. I do know that the tierod end bushing on the passenger side is busted, so I could be getting some play from that, I have not looked at the drivers side yet. I will check that out when I look at the rack bushings. Thanks again for the info.

Jay

 

...every time the pavement comes hitting the wheel, u-turn or whatever.

DIY

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