I'm at a loss... Need advice.

[SkyGuy41]

If you look in my sig you'll see my mods. The only thing not mentioned is Camburg Balljoint UCA's that were installed a few weeks back to help with alignment specs. My problem, I am tracking all over the road, incredibly touchy steering. My alignment specs are all within the specified range; my castor is at 3.0. I've taken it THREE alignment shops and they all say that's as much castor as they can achieve without affecting camber or other things. One shop took me underneath the truck and showed me what he could and could not do, he was very thorough. He stated that putting my stock rims on with different tires may help as a means of trial and error to try to figure out the issue. I keep the AT3's at 45 psi. Zero steering wheel vibration.

So assuming it's not my alignment, what else could cause severe wandering on the road? Anyone else have this dilemma? Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[DisguisedRope]

Not sure what's causing your issue, but I'm curious about the 45 psi in the AT3's. Which load rating do you have? I have the same size AT3's, LT265/70/17, in load range C and run them closer to 40 psi. They seem pretty good for me at the pressure, been meaning to do the chalk test on them, but havent had time lately. How did you decide on 45 psi?

 

[LTDSC]

have a pic of the alignment spec? Sounds like you need to have them max the caster. I just got mine aligned and they got it to 5.1* caster each side. It helps with tracking. Need to know also how the angle is on the UCA. You could be easily maxing out your lift.

Also i have 35psi in my tires but thats not relevant.

 

[YotaDan]

3.0 degrees of Positive caster is great. Would be nice to see the alignment print out though.

Tire pressure does seem high. I would think you would need to be closer to around 32-35psi.

 

[wyanrard]

I run similar UCAs, can't remember the alignment specs right now, with the Cooper AT3 tires and I have no problems, it ride better than when I had the LR UCAs. Are you running a sway bar?

 

[07V8]

have a pic of the alignment spec? Sounds like you need to have them max the caster. I just got mine aligned and they got it to 5.1* caster each side. It helps with tracking. Need to know also how the angle is on the UCA. You could be easily maxing out your lift.

Also i have 35psi in my tires but thats not relevant.

3 is the most you will with a 3" lift and Camburgs.

 

[SkyGuy41]

I'm currently at work and don't have the print out, I'll get that posted up as soon as I get home around 0330 hrs.

Rope, I have the load C as well. I run them at 45 because most of my driving right now is highway. I remember reading a chart on here about going from a P rated tire to LT and if I remember correctly it said to add an extra 10 psi if you have the same size tire. (Maybe I mis-read the chart...). So I keep them between 42 and 45. I guess I could lower them down to 40 and see if problem improves...?

LTDSC, the caster is maxed. I was told that if they mess with it more it'll throw off the camber and therefore mess up tire wear. The Camburg Balljoint UCA's have the extra caster built in, but are not adjustable like LR UCA's. Unless I'm wrong about that. Which I very well could be.

wyanrard, yes I am running a sway bar. In the spring I upgraded all my sway bar bushings and rear sway bar end link bushings with polyurethane bushings which made a big difference drive quality and stability. Even after the lift driving was straight and didn't have much tracking. It's odd, because this tracking at highway speeds started after the Camburgs were put in. Even though the alignment specs, on paper, improved.

07V8, I'm probably just splitting hairs here, but if I remember correctly I'm slightly under a 3" lift up front.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Did you do a chalk test on your tires? 45psi may be a bit high for C-Load tires (I believe your C-Load tires max out at about 50psi) I would try perhaps 36psi and see how that goes. Most of those charts are for beefier D or E-load tires if I remember right (I run 46psi for a comfy ride in my LT285/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers that are an E-Load with a max 80psi rating.)

Another question, how maxed out were the cams front and rear?

 

[wyanrard]

Gotcha, that is strange. I run no sway, but I run my coopers at 36-37 PSI.

 

[SkyGuy41]

Did you do a chalk test on your tires? 45psi may be a bit high for C-Load tires (I believe your C-Load tires max out at about 50psi) I would try perhaps 36psi and see how that goes. Most of those charts are for beefier D or E-load tires if I remember right (I run 46psi for a comfy ride in my LT285/70R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers that are an E-Load with a max 80psi rating.)

Another question, how maxed out were the cams front and rear?

Alright I'll let me air out a bit and see how it goes, thanks for the tip. My cam bolt is completely maxed out according to the mechanic. He had me underneath the truck with him and showed me the cam and they looked visibly maxed out. I'm not sure what you mean by rear...I thought the rear wasn't able to be adjusted for an alignment. Sorry if I'm totally off and misunderstood your question.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There's a front and rear cambolt on the LCAs.

 

[SkyGuy41]

There's a front and rear cambolt on the LCAs.

Yes...of course. My bad. I only saw the front cam bolt and it was definitely maxed out. I did not see the rear cam bolt with my own eyes, but the gentleman said everything down there was to its limit.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Start by dropping the tire pressure first. I'm betting it will make a very noticeable difference. I only run 32 in my LR C BFG's and I could probably drop the pressure even more and be ok. 3° of caster with 3" of lift and Camburg UCA's is pretty good so I believe you when you say the cams are maxed. Have you checked all the tie rods and LCA bushings?

The one thing I would not do is go back to a OEM 4th gen wheel. They have more backspacing than your current wheels and will make it even more squirly. You could try finding a wheel with a little less backspacing though.

 

[SkyGuy41]

Start by dropping the tire pressure first. I'm betting it will make a very noticeable difference. I only run 32 in my LR C BFG's and I could probably drop the pressure even more and be ok. 3° of caster with 3" of lift and Camburg UCA's is pretty good so I believe you when you say the cams are maxed. Have you checked all the tie rods and LCA bushings?

The one thing I would not do is go back to a OEM 4th gen wheel. They have more backspacing than your current wheels and will make it even more squirly. You could try finding a wheel with a little less backspacing though.

Thanks for the input Ron. I'm gonna lower the pressure before I head home from work like everyone suggests. And later today I'll get under there and double check tie rods and bushings to be sure I haven't missed anything obvious. I feel really dumb that I had my tire pressure at 45 psi. The shop that threw the tires on cranked them up that high, and along with my misinterpreted research, led me to that pressure and keeping it there. Thanks for the input and guidance folks. I'll lower the pressure, check some stuff and report back with my results.

 

[SkyGuy41]

I decreased my pressure for my drive home to 36 psi. I feel like the ride is greatly improved. Still have touchy steering, but the overall drive quality has improved. I'm not tracking around nearly as much anymore. Since I've been riding at 45 psi, it does feel really squishy and soft now but not to the point that my handling feels compromised; just different. Heres the alignment print out:

 

[blackoutt]

I'm only lifted 3/2 with lots of caster on LR UCA's and I'm getting a wagging feeling in the rear of mine that forces the front end to hunt back and forth. New passenger wheel bearing, LCA bushings, balljoints, tie rod inner and outers, front sway links, extended rear sway links, front and rear sway bushings, the whole deal and while the ride has greatly improved this issue has cropped up and I can't align it away. I've decided to get an adjustable panhard bar since my rear axle is shifted over ~3/8" and not tracking straight is the only thing I can come up with (and can measure that is wrong) so I'll keep you posted if that helps.