Limitless

Just got 2 new tires put on, Continental DWS on a TL 2005. Had them put on the front and the front tires rotated to the back.

Dont know how to post attachments, so here are my specs below. It feels great...my only big concern is the steering wheel feels considerably "looser" now---like when I turn, it's as if I have to turn it more than I used to. I don't like that...is that something I can go back to them with and they can easily adjust? I assume something with the new tires or alignment changed it. Before I just minutely turned the steering wheel and the car/tires responded/moved, which feels proper to me.

Thanks for your input!

FRONT

Cross Camber - Actual: 0.4 Before: 0.4 Specified Range: -0.8 to 0.8
Cross Caster - Actual: 0.0 Before 0.0 Specified Range: -0.8 to 0.8
Cross SAI - Actual: -0.6 Before: -0.6
Total Toe - Actual: 0.02 Before: 0.05 Specified Range: -0.16 to 0.16

REAR

Cross Camber - Actual: 0.5 Before: 0.5 Specified Range: -0.8 to 0.8
Total Toe - Actual: -0.01 Before 0.14 Specified Range: -.16 to .16
Thrust Angle - Actual: -0.01 Before -0.07

Of Special Note...

Rear: RIGHT

Camber - Actual: -1.5 Before: -1.5 Specified Range: -1.5 to -0.5
Toe - Actual: 0.01 Before: 0.14 Specified Range: -0.8 to 0.8

If any other info is needed please just let me know.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

What are the final camber and toe settings for each wheel, e.g. LF, RF, LR, RR?

The DWS tires leave a lot to be desired because of the soft sidewalls. Don't know what tires you had on the front, but new tires should be placed on the rear. May want to up the tire pressure on the DWS.

Limitless

Why should the new tires be placed on the rear? They recommended I put them on the front, stating because it's front wheel drive. I could always rotate them, just let me know what's best.

Front Left:
Camber - Actual: -0.3 Before: -0.3 Specified Range: -1.0 to 0.0
Toe - Actual: 0.04 Before: 0.01 Specified Range: -0.08 to 0.08

Front Right:
Camber - Actual: -0.6 Before: -0.7 Specified Range: -1.0 to 0.0
Toe - Actual: -0.02 Before: 0.05 Specified Range: -0.08 to 0.08

Rear Left:
Camber - Actual: -1.0 Before: -1.0 Specified Range: -1.5 to -0.5
Toe - Actual: -0.02 Before: 0.00 Specified Range: -0.08 to 0.08

Rear Right:
Camber - Actual: -1.5 Before: -1.5 Specified Range: -1.5 to -0.5
Toe - Actual: 0.01 Before: 0.14 Specified Range: -0.8 to 0.8

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Rather than repeating myself:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=52

Numbers aren't incorrect, but I always like to have the toe equal on each side e.g. front the same each side, rear the same each side. They have the rear total toe pretty close to zero.
Right rear is at the max camber but only .5 degree difference from left.
Should be fine. Change the tires around (Front to Rear)and see if any difference or the rear then feels squirrely, if so, tires.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

overall toe near zero...
camber set to under -2

caster is hard to adjust/control on our cars.

other than that, you should be golden.

nfnsquared

Those specs are fine. Camber and caster are not adjustable on the stock suspension. If caster is out of spec, you likely have a frame/suspension component issue.

It's fairly standard for the TL's rear camber to be at or even slightly more negative than the maximum negative spec (-1.5 to -2.0).

The DWS' do have softer sidewalls and will have a different feel in hard turns. Be sure you have them properly inflated to OEM specs and I'd move them to the rear or match the tires on all 4 wheels.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

...I guess we DO agree on some things, then, huh.

Limitless

Will do and thank you. Would this possibly fix my "the steering wheel feels considerably "looser" now---like when I turn, it's as if I have to turn it more than I used to"? What is the cause of the steering wheel feeling loose, in layman's terms?

Limitless

Thank you. So is the loose steering wheel feeling I have possibly due to the DWS tires? Or is this just something I should have fixed thats somehow related to the alignment? I'll check tire pressure soon as well and ensure it's at OEM specs written on the inside door (this is the "cold weather" specs I see there, right?).

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Alignment is fine and the "loose" feeling could just be the tires/air pressure.
Rotate the tires and see how the car reacts.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

There's actually a nut on the steering rack that can be tightened to make the suspension "feel" better. Just don't overtighten or the steering wheel won't correct itself and return to center.

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

Is there anyway to adjust the alignment myself? I had a tire replaced yesterday about 2 hours after I got an alignment, and after the tire replacement my car pulls haaaaaard to the right. Can I fix this myself, or do I have to pay 75 bucks again? :/

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Put the tire on the other side and if the pull changes direction get rid of the tire or move it to the rear.

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

They put the new tire on the right rear. Last night, I checked the tread of each tire, put the new one on the left front and moved that one to the right rear, it didn't change the pull at all.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

How about posting the alignment settings.

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

They didn't give me a printout lol. I'm going back to the alignment shop in about half an hour to see what's going on with it.

mjkusa

Can you be more specific about this nut? Where is it and what does it do? I too have a loose steering feel after an alignment. I run Conti DSW as well, but was fine until the alignment. I don't think the tires are the issue.

Thanks,