Issue after new tires

[Onefastman]

So I had a new set of tires installed today and noticed a few issues.

The first is that the steering is crooked ie when the wheel is dead centered it goes to the left so I'm driving with the wheel slightly turned. It doesn't pull and drives strait but that is off.

Second is that there is play in the steering where there wasn't before. You can turn the wheel maybe 10 degrees with no movement (in either direction).

Advice on what could be wrong and whether the issues are related and/or related to the instillation of new tires?

Thanks for the advice!

[Joe Bob]

Sounds like your alignment and/or suspension got knocked out of whack. Did they lift it with floor jacks or on a lift?

[Oh Haha]

Did you watch them do the tire change or leave the car and come back?

The suspension components don't just become whacked without help.

[Onefastman]

Both...

Tried a lift but couldn't figure it out because of the weight in the rear so they used a floor jack.

I watched but didn't see anything I found suspect (I don't think..)

[Onefastman]

I did leave to get a bite during the second half actually so anything is possible but this shop would have had said somethig, I think.

[Oh Haha]

Can you inspect the front suspension bits for obvious bends or other damage?

If it went in fine but came out fooked, you need to "discuss" the problem with the manager ASAP. Don't assume they didn't do anything wrong.

[Onefastman]

I sent him a text to let him know that I was having issues but it was late in the day so I won't hear anything until Monday. Unfortunately i just got my 911 and have yet to see under it so I'm not sure what I should be looking for as far as bent componets go but I'll have a gander tomorrow.

[LanceGT4]

confirm your tire pressures.
i've notice a habit at car shops over the last 4 sets on 3 cars of setting pressure at the tire max inflation pressure instead of the car recommended settings. My C4 is really sensitive to settings. but it shows more as tracking / directional stability over the wear grooves in the highway.
changing from 45psi front and rear to 33.5 front and 36.5 rear made a huge difference.

why is it so hard for a tire shop to pay attention to something as simple and important as the tire pressures?

[Onefastman]

Well the wheels are turned to the left slightly when the steering wheel is strait and tire pressure was set to 32 and 36

[Tippy]

Tire pressure check first, damaged suspension components next.

Hopefully it's tire pressure but the fact they used a floor jack raises concern.

[SpeedracerIndy]

I'd take a real close look at suspension components, especially tie rods. If they managed to mess with those, I'd check the oil lines that run along side the passenger side of the car. Bet they crushed those too. If that's the case, you'll be posting a message asking why your 911 is running hot in a few months. By then it will be too late to collect the damages.

Moral of the story: don't take a 911 to a shop that doesn't know how to work on them. I'm being very pessimistic though...

[James Brown]

it could also be the new tires breaking in, after inspecting things on the suspension, take it out at low speeds and scuff the tires back and forth. If it feels better twisty roads for a few miles should "fix" them.

[Eagledriver]

I have seen slight differences in my steering wheel alignment with different tires. Don't know why and the effect is maybe 5 degrees.

-Andy

[Quicksilver]

I stopped taking my car in to get tires years ago. I put the car up on stands and take in just the wheels. Too many things that can be messed up by hourly labor that just doesn't care.

As to the pulling problem...
I would get in there and measure the toe. Shifting things sideways on both wheels is so unlikely unless they adjusted the tie rods or took it for a test ride and hit something.
It is more likely that they did something to one side and if so the toe will be out.

One other possibility that might be invisible to the naked eye is that the previous tires may have been worn off center and if you have roads that are very high crowned or have pronounced 'grooves' worn from traffic, you can see a marked difference in the way the car pulls. I would hope that type of problem would become apparent when you look at it.


BTW - While you are looking at things check the lug nut torque. They always over tighten them.

[Onefastman]

The car does not pull

The steering is not centered so if I take my hands off the wheel it tracks strait but the wheel is slightly crooked.

Any idea why there is play in the steering all of a sudden?

[Oh Haha]

You definately need to check the suspension bits checked out right away. Take some pics of everything you can and post them here. We may be able to point out damage.

Here's a new twist---did they put the same size tires/wheels on the correct side?

Check the sidewall on both front tires for the size. They could have mixed them up.
Don't laugh-it's happened before.

[pete3799]

Are they mounted on the correct wheels..... narrow on front/ wide on the rear?

[DWeg1998]

Tire shop I went to screwed that up. Thankfully I noticed it before getting in it.

[Dublinoh]

Did they do an alignment? And did you check the tire pressures yet? What year car? Did you change tire sizes? What brand tire did you remove and what did you replace them with?

[Onefastman]

They are mounted properly and after a drive pressure is at 40 all around (90f here).

It looks as if the driver tie rod is slightly pinched but hard to say for sure.

On my phone but I'll try and post the pics later when I'm at my computer.