Poor Handling

BATMAN007

MEMBER
DODGE RAM

I own a 2000, Dodge Ram, 4x4, Quad Cab, 5.9L, Sport package, and I went from stock tires to 17 inch tires and rims that also have a wider tread. I have had the front end professionally aligned and the tires balanced. My problem is the handling is real bad, it feels like there is a lot of play and roll, and does not handle nearly as good as it did with stock tires and rims. Also, the other day I hit a small puddle of water at about 45 mph and I almost lost complete control. The vehicle shot straight towards the ditch and I very lucky to have got it back on the pavement. Every puddle I came to wanted jerk the truck one way or the other. Any ideas? I have been thinking new sway bar or new shocks. Can anybody tell me what might be happening?

1 Reply

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Although I don't have a solution other than going back to the old wheels, I can offer a little insight. I have read of handling problem with these trucks as they were.

Moving to a wider surface tire is similiar to skipping stones. Wider ones skip better than ones with less surface area. IF you notoce at mud bogs, the pizza slicer tires are the ones that have the best success.