Steering Problems With New Tires

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Oct 16, 2002 | 10:09 AM

Brenda Joan

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Steering Problems With New Tires

Hi Guys;
This forum and you fella's has been most helpful to me in the past in dealing with my little Ford Ranger, anyway, here's the deal ok? I just bought 4 new General Grabber AW tires for my 1998 Ranger, had the high speed balance done, and it seems to drift off to the RIGHT now... I brought it back to the Goodyear guys where I got the General tires and he did an alignment on it, (for another $42 dollars), still having the same problem though and it's VERY ANNOYING! So? I called a Firestone dealer here in town and told him the problem, he said it sounded like "Radial Drift" and for $30 dollars he will rotate the tires and re~balance them. I dunno, whatcha' guys think? Sound like a bad rim? bad new tire? I have no idea and the tendency to drift off to the right is giving me chest pains! Any input would be greatly appreciated

Ya'all have a great day! Sincerely, Miss Brenda Joan

Oct 16, 2002 | 10:56 AM

amp17757

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From: Harrisburg USA

Steering Problems With New Tires

Hi Brenda. I have a car that does the same thing (not my Ranger). The tires wear OK, all tires same, seem to be properly aligned (no abnormal wear). Can't figure it out. I only have one suspicion with MINE, and not sure it's correct. The right front of my car sits about a half inch lower than the left (as though spring is fatigued, but the springs are NEW). If the body doesn't sit level as per correct suspension & stuff, I wonder if that can cause the vehicle to drift toward the body dip?? Does you Ranger sit level?? The only other suspicion I would have is that the aggressive nature of the tread may cause the vehicle to tend toward the shoulder by nature, assumming that most roads are "crowned" (shoulder lower than center of road). Aggressive treads can cause some wierd stuff to occur like that. What do the rest of you guys think?? If you figure it out, let us know. Best of luck!

Oct 16, 2002 | 02:17 PM

rxtr

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From: penticton canada

Steering Problems With New Tires

Brenda,

Had the same problem with my Acura. New tires, drifted to the right. My right front spring was broken. Replaced both springs, aligned, and there is still a slight right pull. That's pretty normal due to road camber. I lifted my Ranger, installed new shocks and tires "Remington Mud Brutes". I had an alignment done to correct everything after the lift. The truck runs pretty straight down the road, however with the new beefy skins, the truck will tend to wander to which ever angle the road is cambered at. Things get a little hairy at higher speeds. You have to pay attention to what's happening. She still handles quite well. I'll never trade the offroad performance of my new skins to dig me out of the mud, shale, dirt, sand, rocks, for highway performance.

Rick

Oct 16, 2002 | 02:48 PM

mrwizard

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From: Vancouver WA

Steering Problems With New Tires

Had a similar problem with my Bronco and BFG A/T's. A few years earlier, my Dad had a Bronco with BFG's, except his pulled to the left. Alignments, tire rotations, etc... nothing worked. When his tires needed to be replaced, he put on a set of Bridgestone tires. Problem solved. When mine were worn out, I put on Michelins. Problem solved. I'm wondering if there are just certain tread patterns that are more prone to cause problems than others. I had BFG Radial T/A's on just about every car I owned before I started buying trucks and never had a problem, so I don't question the quality of their products.

Did you experience any pulling issues before you put on these tires? If not, and the problem doesn't get any better as the tires start to break in a little, I would speak with the store manager and explain how the tires are just not working for you. They might be willing to credit you back at least most of your money in exchange for a different brand/style of tire.

Oct 16, 2002 | 09:33 PM

superrangerman2002

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From: South Dakota

Steering Problems With New Tires

any one bother to check the psi of their front tires? 1 or 2 psi makes a huge difference between tires.

super

Oct 17, 2002 | 04:46 AM

1997RangerXLT

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From: Charleston, SC

Steering Problems With New Tires

$30. to rotate your tires at the place you bought them is wrong and they know it. A bent rim that wasn't detected by the shop at balancing time wouldn't say much about them either. Remember how helpful they were when you need to buy tires again.

:-staun

Oct 17, 2002 | 09:03 AM

Brenda Joan

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Steering Problems With New Tires

Hi Everyone, and thank you for all the input! the tire pressure in all 4 tires is exactly at 32 psi, I didn't have this problem before I replaced the tires, (which consisted of 1 slightly worn Firestone in the back, another somehwat worn Goodyear on the other side, and 2 fairly decent Uniroyals on the fronts). The treads do seem "aggressive" on these new General Grabbers, and yes, one must be careful when driving at highway speeds because the truck will now "wander". The truck also sits perfectly level, so I assume shocks, springs and underpinnings are all in fine order. I was also informed about "Road Crowns", and how they dip off to one side to allow for proper draining of the roads, so? Maybe there isn't anything wrong? Maybe it's just the tires and the way the treads are? Don't know? Well, I have a week off from work in November, maybe I'll get the tires rotated then, see what happens. Thanks Fella's. I'll keep ya's posted. Sincerely, Miss Brenda Joan