Hello, I haven't posted in a long time. But I'm about to take a road trip soon, from NOVA to FL so I need some suggessions. I have 33x12.5-16 mud country tires. When I drive over 70mph, gear lever shifts alot. I don't worry much since I don't go out of town much it doesn't bother me alot and I don't really do too much 70+ but going to FL I'm going to need to drive a little faster than that

1 solution I just got from the dealer was to run my tires at 30-35psi and that should help. I haven't tried it yet but will give that a try this coming week.

2nd guess I can make is some type of allignment issue? But when I let go of the wheel, it doesn't sway left or right, goes pretty straight. - Though, I've noticed that I do sway right when I brake hard.

If anything else? I am not sure. If anyone can give me any solution or if its just nothing to worry about. Thank you. Very much appreciated.

Last resort: Buying OEM wheels/tires back from someone locally in the Washington DC area.

 

At that speed there is lots of stuff vibrating, and it won't take much to show through the shifter, even if you can't feel it.

Wheel balance and drive shaft balance would come to mind first. Have the wheels balanced, and ask the shop to double check everything. If they do, you will see an improvement, even if you can nto feel a balance issue.

Drive shafts can also be slightly out of balance and only show at high speeds.

Tire pressure may or may not help, but if it does it is only masking the real issue.

If I were you, I would either learn to live with it, or get my wheels balanced. Then see how it goes.

 

Thanks! I have gotten the wheels balanced not too long ago. I had them rotate the tires and do the balancing at the same time. Which is why I am still wondering. It also maybe the road itself. The beltway here is going through construction so maybe that's the problem. I guess I will know more once I start my drive south as the roads begin to be in concrete and lot smoother. Maybe its more of a mind thing rather than it being an actual issue. But I guess I can always spend the $60 and get it balanced before I leave again, just to make sure things are all well. Rather than, then to spend 300-400 on new wheels/tires.

 

If I was going out on a road trip I would make sure the allignment and balance was spot on. You'll feel every bump and road vibration in the manual shifter. If you don't touch the shifter, and you don't feel or hear any vibration or shimmy/shake/rattle ... through the vehicle itself - I wouldn't worry.

But if it seems like a problem have the shop check it out. That's what I would use my warranty for.

 

Thank you. I was getting my other car's tires done today and spoke to the guy and he said he'll check out the balancing for all the tires in a week before I leave town. We did notice that 2 of the tires don't have any balancing weights on the outside.

Also, 1 more thing I forgot to mention. When I am taking an exit, over 25mph, my traction control starts going nuts! Is it because of the larger tire size? Not sure if anyone else had seen this after changing their OEM to larger aftermarket tires?

 

It could be the larger tires, but should not change it's behavior too much, especially only 33's.

Couple of things I have learned the hard way:

Make sure your steering wheel is straight. if not the adjuster is on the drag link and a 5 minute adjustment. If it is not straight, the ESP will think you are trying to turn when your not, and it will get grumpy wit you.

Make sure your tire pressure is good. if too low it could trigger the ESP.

If it pulls when braking hard, I would look at caster (lower front control arms), or tire pressure, and this could definately be a sympton of another issue and a clue to why the ESP is going nuts.

Check your track bars. If you have any lift at all, you may need to get adjustable track bars to center the axles. Could be the answer.

VERY IMPORTANT>>>>> My Esp recently started going off much more than normal, and I too thought it was my new taller tires. In fact it was the rear track bar axle mount. it finally broke completley off on one of those long round freeway on ramps, and the ESP is the only reason I did not have a really big problem on my hands. Please look at this mount carefully, as mine looked good, but during the autopsy of the broken mount, it had been cracked all the way through in 3 places behind the adjustable bracket that I installed.

My ESP had been going off more because the mount was shifting back and forth before finally coming loose completely. The track bar mount is a horrible design, and I would have an aftermarket bracket/brace/gusset welded on before I went anywhere of distance.

Just look closely at this stupidly designed POS. Could cure all your ills.

good luck

 

Hey thanks! OK this is what I did today: checked the tire pressure, all were between 41-42.5. Front two were 41 and the rear two were 42 and 42.5. So dropped them all to 35. Went out for a drive, and it seemed a lot smoother ride, but felt like either equal or more vibration....does that make sense? I couldn't dive passed 70 too much because of the the traffic. So maybe I need to check the balance of the tires.

My steering wheel is straight. When I drive, I let go of the wheel, its straight, so also, the alignment should be just fine. Steering wheel doesn't shake either.

Esp didn't go off while I was going over 30 on the ramp.

Also never installed the lift kit so not worried about my suspension.

I have yet to drop down the tire pressure to 30psi to see how it is. Any suggestions?

 

Over 45mph my shifter waggles back and forth all the time if my hands not on it. I don't feel any out of the ordinary vibrations going on either so...

I would think that between the solid axles, stiff springs, bumpy road, tires, etc, etc, it's gonna vibrate some. Also consider the drive train is fairly solidly mounted to the chassis and the body is mounted to the chassis on rubber bushings... I think your ok.

FWIW, I had a Toyota pickup that did the exact same thing. Went over 500K miles lifted w/ 33's too

 

OK guys a little update. I went out of town, noticed on a long run, over 75 I can feel it vibrate a lot. Today got it balanced, they were all off. SO figured things should be better. Went for a drive, feels the same, over 75, feels violent. I have yet to do alignment for my final check sometime this week.

Something weird I felt was, and this is when I'm dead stopped, when I move my steering wheel, feels like its ticking way below. I feel if something might have gotten loose....any idea?

 

ok just went and got new tires, i'm too anal about things....i'll just get some steelies and put the DC on and drive it intown and when i go offroading.