Hi, everyone.
I am in need of some advise about suspension and drivability.
I am driving a '06 F250 CC Lariat, LWB, 6.0 PS, 4x4, all stock, 114.000mls.

Here is the story:
The original Goodyear Wrangler ATS (275/65-20) were worn and I got a set of Firestone Destination AT LTS (same size). These worked
fine on an older Chevy I owned years ago.

Since I got these tires on the truck the backend feels kinda squirrly, weaving around way more then usual when I move the steering
wheel around a few time, at speeds greater than 35mph. I went back to Tiresplus and they checked the alignment again, all bushings,
struts, axles and couldnt find anything worn or loose. Test drove it again and it was still doing it. Then they said it might be the
tires. They ordered Bridgestone Dueller Revo2 and put them on the rear axle (as a test). That didn not change a thing.

So they swapped front and rear which made it worse. Now I am back on all Firestone. They checked the alignment again. Then replaced
the steering damper. Still not any better. The store manager and a teck both agreed that it rolls more than it should and feels
weird, but they seem to think it is the front axle.

I stopped by a shop in town and the tech test drove it and agrees is feels different. He suggested to replace the shocks due to high
milage. He also said that new tires may have softer side walls and that could result in a squirrly (rear end) feeling.

Again for two days the tire store has been working on it and has no idea (said the store manager) what's wrong. I offered to replace
the shocks. I put some Bilstein Shocks on it. Rides better but still has a feeling like the backend is loose.

Neither store can seem to find any worn bushings, struts or anything that may cause this. It has never done that with the original
Wranglers. Could it be that this truch is that picky and really wants the Wranglers??

Any advice, pointers, help or suggestions are appreciated. Maybe there is someone out there that had the same problem, hopefully a fix, too.

Thanks in advance
FrankEGD

 

I had a similar response to new tires, at the end of the day changing the track bar fixed it. The rubber bushing was getting soft.

Brian

 

Ok, picked up some trackbar bushings. Will change them in the morning and post the results. Btw. Changing tire pressure from 70 tp 65 or 70 also had no effect.

Thank you
FrankEGD

 

your going to get that wandering feeling on new tires until they wear in a bit

 

at 114k, it might be the steering gear. I think Redhed is running a group buy right now.

 

Can you post pics of the tire sidewall info?? Something isn't right with the tires.

 

Using D rated tires over E will do that.

New tires also have a weird feeling until they bed in. You think a truck is bad, you clench pretty good with new slicks on a Superbike.

Josh

 

Here are some pics. The spec are the same as the old Wranglers, so were the Bridgestones. All load range E.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6bs9wku8dm...908_143632.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/es543lnkw6...908_143604.jpg

Changed the trackbar bushing, tried lower and higher tire pressure but nothing helped.
I am just afraid that if I keep the tires and if in about 500 mls they won't change that they might not take them back.

Thank you
FrankEGD <!-- / message -->

 

I'm at a loss. For all that you posted there's no reason to think it's related to your truck. You changed the tires that's it. The only thing I can say is get them to switch out to a different brand.

 

HeavyAssault,
that's kind of the point I am trying to make. Since they swapped the tires the drivability has suffered. Nothing else has changed. Unless they broke something while changing tires (but don't know what) I have to asume it simply is the the tires.
Since we/they swapped to Bridgestone Duellers, which somehow made it worse I thing it really might be the brand. I don't mind getting the Wranglers, I kind of like them. They just come with a hefty price tag, about $300 more than the Firestone. Plus the new shocks I already got, and they didn't do a thing. Well I don't mind them, since the stock ones were worn anyway... and they're so flashy... Oops, back to the topic.

Yeah, I think it might just be the tires after all...

I believe I got to wait and see who comes up with a solution next. The tire store or maybe ther tires will settle a bit...

Thank you
FrankEGD

 

I've had this happen with every set of new tires I've run. These guys have got you covered. Sometimes NEW tires grab every little nook, cranny, and wave in the road. Give them a few miles to get "lined" out.

 

Ok, so far I drove about 300mls on the new tires. Today I also replaced the trackbar ball joint. The first test drive shows some signs of improvement. I think it might be from the tires and the fact that thay need to get worn in a bit, like others mentioned earlier.
I will give it a little bit more but I think I migth be ok.

Thanks for all the info and every post regarding this issue.

FrankEGD