Stu

My Lexus 2005 LS430 has 4 new Conti DWS in 245/45/18. For some unknown reason, the car does not want to drive straight down any stretch of highway - ever. It does NOT pull left or right, it just wanders, and requires a LOT of steering effort to keep the car in it's lane. As a result, long trips in this car are unpleasant.

Strangely, the car drives much MUCH better on the winter set up - cheap Firestone Winterforce snow tires on 17 inch wheels.

I have had 3 alignments this past year, and it's improved somewhat, but not nearly enough.

Even though I have only driven maybe 5,000 miles on the Contis, I have decided to
1. try another set of tires on these 18 inch wheels, or
2. just sell these wheels and tires and buy a new set of wheels/tires.

Here is my question ...IF I buy another new set of 18 inch tires, is there a tire that will help to minimize "wandering" on the highway ?

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

My favorite two tires in that size are the Bridgestone RE960A/S and the Turanza Serenity... The Serenity will last longer, smoother ride, etc, and give all season performance, whereas the RE960A/S, and its replacement, the RE970A/S will give all season performance with an edge towards performance over ride quality...

There are other good options, notably from Michelin, I like the HX MXM4, specifically, but the Pilot Sport A/S has had lots of similar issues to yours...

Did you ever check the ball joints the correct way?

Stu

mitsuguy, I have not had the ball joints checked this way yet, but for sure the next time the car goes in.
( I suspect the tires are at fault - the ball joints are oprobably fine - the car has 65,000 miles )

I am enjoying driving the car on the winter wheels and tires so much - I may even remove the tires in the spring and mount new tires on these wheels !

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Don't give up on the 18's! Just get rid of the Conti's...

I can't remember from the other thread - when was the last time the alignment was checked, and what were the specs? A not that great alignment can cause wandering as well, or even exacerbate it... Couple that with tires that have stiff sidewalls and track badly anyways, and you end up where you are...

Stu

Three allignnments in the past year. Here is the latest one that was done - the tech said it was fine except the rear camber.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

How's the tire wear? If it requires strength just to steer straight, then something is obvious wrong. Check tie rods, sway bar and steering rack.

Btw, road crown plays a role and make sure tire pressures are same.

Stu

Tire wear look fine, only 5,000 miles on new tires.
It requires NO strength to steer straight, just a ton of little adjustments, constantly, to keep going straight. It can't be something obvious, I have has the car checked 3 times !

I know the road crown effect, and that is not what I am experiencing.
I check the tire presures frequently, with two guages, and run 32 - 35 psi, on all 4 corners.

waijai

iTrader: (9)

Have you tried rotating the tires to see if that helps it?

Stu

Yes, mamy times ..... and it made absolutely no difference.

pardo

iTrader: (2)

Other than ball joints and tie rod ends that mitsuguy mentioned, have you checked steering rack, steering pretensioner, or the bushings?

Stu

yup, the steering rack was checked, not sure about the steering pretensioner, and I replaced the bushings ( even though they were not worn - when they were removed they looked new )

Stu

mitsuguy, I just got offered firm offer of $ 800 for my 18's, ( and they dont want the tires, so I'll try to sell them separately )..... and I rememembered you saying not to give up on the wheels, and just sell the Continentals.

Firstly, I am thinking the $800 is a pretty fair price, .... but I'm wondering why you said don't give up on the 18's. I do like the OEM 18s, but I am thinking of taking the $ 800 and then selling the Contis and buying new 17's and some softer sidewalled 17" tires that will, I hope end the cars wandering - because the last thing I want to do is put another set ( it will be the third ! ) of new tires on these OEM wheels and still have the same wandering problem.

Can you help me - I dont want to screw this up - I just want to solve the wandering problem.

Thanks

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

I just said don't give up on them, because they should be fine, just a matter of figuring out where the true problem lies... If you have someone willing to pay good money for the wheels, and can still sell the tires separately, might as well get a set of summer tires for the 17's... cheaper anyways!

jcars1990

def stick with 18s, has to be related with steering system if the tires are in good shape

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

You should read the whole thread... his car drives fine with his winter tires and 17's...