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aburger
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2006
02:19:49
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 Subject: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
Hey all, I've got a small issue that maybe someone has a suggestion for. I got my new wheels today. I have a set of 18" MOMO Twin wheels wrapped in Cooper Discoverer HT+ 255/55/18 tires. I know it's not that extreme, but for me, going from 15's to 18's is a big deal. My problem is that now there is a lot of steering wheel shake, and the handling really sucks. The steering is really loose. I can't go over 55 without almost loosing control. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what should I do? I do plan on lowering it a mild 2/3, will that make any difference? Thanks in advance.
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SinCity R/T
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2006
11:18:29
|  RE: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
What size and type of tires did you have with your 15's? An 18" wheel/tire combo will weigh a little more than a 15" combo, but usually not by a significant margin.
I've run 18's and 20's on my R/T's without any noticeable shaking, and the handling definitely increased because I was using better and/or wider tires than stock.
I would have someone double-check the wheels/tires for balancing, and make sure the wheels are mounted properly.
SinCity R/T
2003 Black CC R/T
2003 White RC R/T
http://www.dakota-durango.com
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aburger
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2006
16:18:03
| RE: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
Thanks for the reply. My original wheels and tires were 15's with 215/75/15 tires. My truck is a 2001 single cab with a 4 cylinder engine, and a manual transmision. I already notice the weight difference, and the acceleration has declined. It's not a terrible difference, but it is noticable. I wasn't expecting the shake though. I might go back to stock. The combo almost looks too big for my truck.
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SinCity R/T
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2006
16:35:10
| RE: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
You definitely hurt your acceleration going from 27.69" diameter tires to 29.04", and the extra weight hurts it even more. However, the additional weight shouldn't be causing steering issues, I've run 18's with 255/55-18, 18's with 295/45-18, 20's with 255/35-20, and 20's with 275/40-20's, and never experienced steering issues at all, and handling has always been excellent, with or without the Hotchkis suspension I have in my newer truck.
I still think you have something else going on either with wheel/tire balance, wheel mounting, or possibly in the front suspension that got aggravated with the extra weight at the wheels.
Do you still have your OEM wheels/tires sitting around? Put them back on in the front and see if the shimmy goes away.
SinCity R/T
2003 Black CC R/T
2003 White RC R/T
http://www.dakota-durango.com
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aburger
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2006
16:40:41
| RE: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
Yeah, I still have my OG wheels and tires. Someone from another post mentioned that the new wheels might still have the retainer clips and that is throwing the new wheels off and they are not fully resting on the rotors. Have you heard of that happening?
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2006
20:44:44
| RE: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
Check balancing. When I had AR bajas and wider truck tires put on my 4x4 they did a really bad job balancing the fronts and I had to make them do it over again. Some shops do it better than others and some wheel and tire combos are particularly hard to balance well.
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aburger
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2006
22:28:25
| RE: Handling sucks with New wheels! Help!
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Message:
Well, I just got back from Performance Plus. Looks like it was the balancing. Aparently, on Saturday, they were in such a hurry, and they couldn't figure out how to balance this particular wheel, that they just did a half-assed job and left it. The guy who did it today new exactly what the problem was and corrected it. It is so much better. Now all I need is my drop, and I'll be a happy man. Thanks to everyone who gave suggestions. You guys rock.
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