Loose Steering...is this normal?
 

Hi all:

Picked up my X5 a few weeks ago and I've been noticing that the steering seems kind of loose. The best way I can describe it is that it sorta pulls to one side or another on its own. It's not out of alignment or anything like that because on straight roads, it's fine. Is that just the way the X5 is? Is it because of the 20" tires? Is there some way to have it tightened up? It just seems a bit odd.

Thanks.

Seems like tramlining to me. That is normal whith the 20". It probably occurs on uneven roads or roads where there is a kerf or ruts caused by heavy trucks. Not much you can do exept hold on to the wheel or change to 19"/s or 18"'s.

to understand term tramlining read more about it here
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47

BTW. I agree with Denalio

You alignment can be off (camber or caster). It will not pull to a side on straight road, but will "wander around" on uneven roads.

I am not saying its impossible, but i think its highly unlikely that alignment be off on a brand new car..
Look at it this way, if you have time, stop by the service department and have them check it out.. I personally still think its tramligning.

The alignment was off on two new BMW's I've had in the past. I would have the dealer check the alignment. It shouldn't cost you anything...

Craig

The probability is highly in favor of the fact that this is the OPs first car with wide (255 plus) tires and has never experienced tramlining

I give you a 98% chance of being correct on this one!

The alignment was off on every single brand new car I ever had... Just because the car is new it does not mean the alignment will be perfect.

Perhaps you did; I've never had a new car with issues.

If you read what he originally wrote he is describing tramlining, IMO.

KEF

I drive around a lot in a nissan patrol, when I'm running my off road tyres which are 315mm it gets pulled around a lot by truck grooves as you describe bergs, but is barely noticeable when I run my all-terrains which are 285mm

Cool. Thanks so much for all your replies. Tramlining sounds like what it is.
I really appreciate all your help!

bergs,

IMO, it is something you have to get used to; until you've driven a car with wide tires, it is not something that you would typically encounter. In my experience I have generally noticed it once tires get to the 255-275 width range, and it gets worse the wider the tires are.

Keep in mind this is a function of road condition – so if the roads are nice and flat this will not happen.

If it becomes something you simply can't live with, you'll need to go down in wheel / tire width to reduce this effect. There are four square BMW set ups (same tire width on all four corners) that you could try. Two with 8.5" wide wheels and two with 9" wheels - the thinner wheels are 18" wheels, the wider are 19" wheels.

All four setups use 255 wide tires and that should reduce (but not eliminate completely) what you are experiencing.

KEF