I got new shoes on the W250 last nite. Hancook 265/75/16's. Now when I turn the steering feels real sloppy when going around turns, I figured I would get an alignment this weekend, see if that helps. What else would be the problems I could check for. Drove fine with the old baldies on. New shoes are E rated 10 ply. (62# in the front)(55# in the back) The tire shop only put 35#'s in. . Should I be running higher pressure? They max at 80#.

Thanks guys.
Dan

 

What size tires did you have before??

 

I just put 235/85-16E Wild Country Mud treads on my w350 dually. The shop inflated them to 80 psi. It was like driving on ice. I played around with inflation pressures and settled on 75 pounds front and 50 pounds rear. I tried 40 pounds rear and it was just too low. The ride was good but the rear seemed real loose and the drag on the truck was noticable.
I took the truck to the best alignment shop in the area. The front end mechanic told me to keep the front between 70 and 75 pounds and to rotate the tires often to prevent cupping. With the wider tire you are running I would think you have it pretty close. You might want to add a little to the front to help prevent cupping. As the tread wears down you should get less squirm and a more solid feel of the road.

 

It is probably not it but I would check the tie rods and steering shaft for play. I seems like every time I replace anything I then notice something else. But the main thing would be to adjust the tire pressure to see how that affects the handling.

 

I had 255/75/16s on before. So it isn't a real big jump in tire size. I put all new wheel bearings, and kingpins in a year ago, New tie rods in 2 years ago. The only thing I haven't done is the main linkage from the box to the knuckle. Front springs are sagging and shot. I can't believe how totchy the pressure is in these new tires. WOW.
I will inflate the front to 70 and see what that is like. I will take it to get aligned shortly just to make sure.
Thanks Guys, appreciate your thoughts.

 

Put some miles on them, new tires need "broke in" so to speak and will feel loose until the heat up and cool down a couple times.

 

Dittos they have to break in and don't run 35 pounds, get them up near spec.