Hi all,

I am new to the forum and I hope someone will be able to shed some light on my current problem.

I have a 2014 F250 CC Platinum gasser that replaced my 2010 F 150. I took it to a local shop and after talking to the guy about what my needs and wants are we decided to go with a 3" lift/ Toyo MT 35X12.5X22's. The shop that installed the lift and tire didn't have FEA equipment so I had to use a different shop. After several attempts the truck still drifts right and the steering wheel is off center. The tech at the shop says its in specs and this is the best he can do. So know after test driving the truck it feels like its on skates, all over the road. I am aware of tread feel and this is not it. The truck is ALL over the place. The first thing I do is check the air pressure and call Toyo. The woman at Toyo is adamant that the tire are not right for the truck. She says I need 3195 front and 3540 rear. I responded by saying that would be if I were at max payload correct? She says no...okay. So I call the shop and speak with the tech and he says "they are 10 ply tires" and there shouldn't be a problem. Keep in my I occasionally tow my TT which weighs in about 7700 loaded but that not payload. His though is that the alignment is causing the squirm.

I'm not sure who or what to believe but I told him I want the truck to ride safely.

Any opinions on what the culprit may be?

Thanks in advance.

 

I think your alignment is definitely part of the issue.

The steering wheel can be centered without changing toe. Did they give you the readout from the alignment machine with before and after?

 

Something else to consider is:

Most roads have a crown to them in the center and that will make the vehicle drift to the right and actually require some steering input to counter.

Most new tires are a bit squirmy when you first install them and it takes a bit of getting used to. This squirm will also manifest itself in a greater amount of steering input to counter.

Check your air pressure to make sure that they are perfectly matched right/left.

Find a spot of road that had no one else on it and straddle the crown or move to the left of the crown. If the truck still is biased to the right, then you may have an alignment issue - or - you may have a tire problem.

 

Ask them how they're adjusting the alignment. Unless it involves replacement bushings they're probably just changing the toe via the tie rod and not messing with caster or camber.

Not centering the steering wheel is inexcusable, like Chris said there's an adjustment sleeve on the drag link that can be adjusted without impacting anything else, it's so easy you could do it in your driveway.

 

Thanks for all the info. They did give me a read but I left it in the truck and out of town for the week working.

The tire pressure is equal/I made sure of that. I have tested it on flat roads as well. I expected a bit of squirm but to me the "new tire squirm" feels more like a vibration. I had 35's on my F 150 that has to break in. This is like steering a boat in strong currents.

My biggest fear is that if its the tires as Toyo said I am out a boat load of money. I am convinced the alignment is out but would that cause what I am feeling? The guys at alignment shop are know saying it could be radial pull.

 

3" lift you probably need an adjustable trac bar. Do the tires stick out more on one side of the front of the truck than the other? I did the same thing but only 2" front level 35/12.50/18 Toyo and felt squirly. Put on adjustable trac bar, got alignment done and got some miles on tires and all is well.

 

Swap the tires right side to left side and if it is in the tire's belts, the pull will now be to the opposite side..

Tires with deep lugs are like driving on Jello... All they do is dig in a straight line well and that's about it I'm afraid..
If you air them up to the max pressure on the sidewall, you will reduce the squirm, but it will not go away..

 

I would suggest a trac bar drop bracket and some 3.5 or 4 inch radius arm drop brackets. I would go with the 4". Re-center steering wheel by tweaking drag link as suggested. The radius arm drop brackets should help your wandering issue.

 

Heres the update. No radial pull, lift installed correctly. I had 3 independent inspections. The truck may have been twisted in freight? Bottom line I drove it back to the dealership and drove off in a 2015 6.7 problems solved. Thanks for the help to all.