Bryan Tift

So I went from 225/75/16 (29.6") to 285/75/16 (33") and now my steering is poor.

I've noticed it wanders more. Especially on the freeway, I need to adjust my wheel and constantly make sure I'm staying in my lane. I also noticed that I'm getting some serious death wobble vibes when going over bumps on the freeway. It's a bit scary, and I'm trying to improve my ride a little bit. Before the bigger tires, it drove pretty perfectly.

I have a 4.5" lift with adjustable lowers and a Rusty's adjustable track bar. My steering components have been replaced within the last year but they're just generic parts.

I'm thinking of upgrading my steering linkage and tie rods (maybe currie?) and getting new steering box with hydro assist? Also going to get my wheels balanced again, and make sure my alignment is in good shape, especially my caster. I'm getting some vibrations at highway speeds too but I will be installing a SYE soon so that should be solved shortly.

Any other ideas? Drove perfect with the old tires, now it's a lil bit more scary. Planning a trip in a few weeks so would love to get this feeling better!

X1997J

My XJ has the same lift/tire combo and kinda acts similar but maybe not as bad as yours since I’m not to worried about it. Maybe need new steering stabilizer?

Battle

Are these tires new or used? Also, most 285/75R16s are E load. They're heavy and stiff 10 ply stuff. That might have something to do with it. I wanted to run 16" wheels for aesthetics but kind of ditched the idea when I realized most that I want are E load. It's rare to find a "big" tire for a 16" wheel that's not E load.

Bryan Tift

New tires. I know it's stiff stuff, and the quality of the ride will reflect that. Just didn't expect my steering to go a little wonky. It's not bad, the only thing I'm really worried about is the almost-deathwobble I get doing 70 when I hit a rough spot on the freeway. Guess I'll replace the "generic" steering parts with some nicer stuff and make sure my angles are correct.

Battle

I run a Moog replacement V8 ZJ tie rod on my rig with 33x10.5x15s. Works really well for me - might want to give that a look if you're wanting something budget-friendly, simple yet more robust than the stock XJ tie-rod. Just a thought.

Tsaani97xj

What tire pressure are you running?

Look up Tram Lining. Then try 25-28psi.

Bryan Tift

36 PSI.

Tsaani97xj

Look up tram lining. Then try about 25-28 psi.

XjJunky

Way ro much pressure for them big tires and a relatively light jeep. Should be down in the 20's. On my 31's i run 28 front and if empty about 24-26 psi on the rear. Your 33's should be a bit less then that

00t444e

Your caster might be off it should be about 6-10 degrees if I remember correctly, and set your toe in at 1/8-3/16".

Bryan Tift

Gotcha. I'll try some lower tire pressures. Any worries about the tread wear with lower pressure though? They're KO2s.

I'll get my alignment checked and see what they say.

XjJunky

As long as they are not under inflated. Running these pressures I have 25k on my goodyear Duratrac's which they say is a 40k tire and i still have over half the tread left on them. Best way is the chock test on your ride. Goggle tire chalk test and you will get 100's of results. Very easy to do,just takes some time.

1Bolt

Seconding this and the chalk test. Mine shipped to me at 46(!!)psi front and rear and it felt like I was driving on ice skates haha. I took mine down to the door sticker recommended 33#'s and it's much better than it was, but I'll also second the chalk test. Best way to be sure of what psi your vehicle with your tire setup needs.

JandDGreens

I would have someone move the steering back and forth while it's running, and you look at the track-bar mounting locations top and bottom. See if you notice any play at those locations. Going to larger tires would magnify any issues there, where as the smaller tires might not have.

TRCM

On my 31's, I run 36 front & rear, and get pretty darn even tire wear....say 'pretty darn even' cuz I didn't measure, just looked