Handling difference with mud tire and 18”

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east302

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Our son has a 98 K1500 with 18” rims that the previous owner installed. It had bald BFG ATs and a shot steering system.

I just put on a set of 285/65r18 Nitto trail grapplers and have a question about how they “should” handle versus a stock 16” AT tire as I have zero experience with it.

It’s barely noticeable, but compared to a 16” all terrain on my other two trucks it is slower to return to center after turning. The steering just feels heavier in general.

Over the last few months, I’ve replaced...

Steering gear (Bluetop)
Center link, tie rods, pitman arm, idler arm and bracket, upper and lower ball joints on both sides (all Moog problem solver)

I had a shop align it and it tracks straight but I have so little faith in any shops that I second guess everything now.

The only thing I can think of is a steering gear issue or power steering issue or that it’s just how these feel. Pump is of unknown age and I’ve had a Bluetop gear before and am hesitant to condemn it.

Can alignment impact return to center turning? Anything else that I can check?

Before I go back to the alignment shop, I’d like to get the opinion of others that have larger more aggressive tires. Maybe this is just the nature of the beast and I’m not used to it.
 

df2x4

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Is the EVO steering in this truck still functional?

My Suburban's steering definitely felt heavier when I had 18"s on it, but I don't recall any issues with returning to center.
 

east302

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Is the EVO steering in this truck still functional?

My Suburban's steering definitely felt heavier when I had 18"s on it, but I don't recall any issues with returning to center.

EVO is still there. By heavier, do you mean sticky? As in, more grippy? Complete word salad on my part, lol.


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east302

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@SUBURBAN5

I accidentally created two threads on this but saw you replied to the other thread.

Does power steering feel good at a dead stop as you turn either way? Or does it bind up?

Power steering feels fine and no binding. I have two other 98 4x4 models - an extended cab truck and a two door Tahoe both with 285/75/16. It feels comparable to them except for the return to center.

It’s just something that I notice and something that I’ve never noticed on the other two with stock tires.

It’s like the tires are too sticky to get back to center without help. That’s the best way I can think of to describe it.


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df2x4

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EVO is still there. By heavier, do you mean sticky? As in, gripper? Compete word salad on my part, lol.


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Yeah, I guess grippier would be a good way to describe it. Just felt like everything took a little more effort than with factory wheels and tires.

Are you sure the EVO isn't stuck in full boost? Failing to return to center is a common symptom of that.
 

east302

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Yeah, I guess grippier would be a good way to describe it. Just felt like everything took a little more effort than with factory wheels and tires.

Are you sure the EVO isn't stuck in full boost? Failing to return to center is a common symptom of that.

I’ve had a bad EVO sensor a few times and it felt like hitting a patch of ice on a curving road. Not sure if that is similar to the full boost or not?
 

df2x4

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I’ve had a bad EVO sensor a few times and it felt like hitting a patch of ice on a curving road. Not sure if that is similar to the full boost or not?

In my experience the column sensors fail in one of two ways. The occasional "patch of ice" feeling you described usually comes first, then eventually they'll fail completely which leaves the system in full boost at all times just like if the sensor was unplugged.

If you think this might be a possibility with this truck try unplugging that sensor. If nothing changes, there's a good chance the sensor is dead IMO. If the steering gets lighter and the returning to center issue gets worse, then there's probably something else going on.
 

east302

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In my experience the column sensors fail in one of two ways. The occasional "patch of ice" feeling you described usually comes first, then eventually they'll fail completely which leaves the system in full boost at all times just like if the sensor was unplugged.

If you think this might be a possibility with this truck try unplugging that sensor. If nothing changes, there's a good chance the sensor is dead IMO. If the steering gets lighter and the returning to center issue gets worse, then there's probably something else going on.

That’s an easy check, thanks!


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