Play on Steering Wheel
 

Just recently, I noticed some play on my steering wheel, and it started specifically after I replaced my wheels and tires. I'm not sure if this is normal, but when I'm driving in the highway I can turn my steering wheel from side to side without affecting direction kinda like this smilie ---> :driving:

Tire pressure is good at 35psi all around. Lugs are tight. Could this be related to the oils on the new PSS I installed?

BTW, I don't know if I had this play on the steering wheel prior to having the new tires put on, as this was the first time I decided to move wheel left to right and noticed this.

The PSS tires are used by so many members here, someone would have said something before. I can't see it being related to the tires themselves. Maybe balance, alignment, etc. Did you stay at the OEM tire sizes or did you increase tire sizes? I would take it back to the shop and speak to the manager.

I did not stay at OEM tyre sizes.

Back to the tire shop. That is NOT a normal condition. :eekdance:

Why would the tire shop have anything to do with that :ugh2:

I was there when every single one of the old wheels was removed and the new ones installed. There was nothing to it.

Remove lugs from old wheels, pull them out. Install new wheels and tires and tighten lugnuts. How would that mess up the steering?

Could it be new tire squirm?

So don't go to the shop that installed your new wheels and tires. Keep driving the way it is now and just hope that the play in your steering miraculously disappears. Obviously, the procedure was far too simple and nothing went wrong.

I switched to pss awhile back (original size though), no play in my steering.

A big clue: Crappy wages. The kids mounting tires don't make squat, the shop pays them dirt because they don't 'fix' cars. Busting tires and LOF (lube, oil & filter) don't make the shop money, it's the bigger jobs that pay. The FNG at the shop gets the crap job of tires & LOF, he has to 'pay his dues' to get to make real money. He don't give a flip if he dorks up the tires & wheels. :shakes head:


If you had no play in the steering before you swapped tires & wheels, and you have play now... the problem is in the tires and wheels. Either they put the wrong ones up front (presuming you are running a staggered set) or they dorked up the install. :eek:

While new tires shouldn't cause your symptoms (assuming they aren't crappy tires and PSSs aren't crappy) as per Ghostvette and Nixin, poor installation can cause all sorts of problems. And there's always the possibility that you got a defective new tire (it happens). Find one of the better tire shops in your area and have them check it out.

Also, if you changed your wheels, you may require different lug nuts.

>>I did not stay at OEM tyre sizes.

What sizes do you have? More sidewall could mean more squishiness, which could translate into into more play from your perspective.

Also, how many miles, new tires need to have the release compounds worn off.