Tire Pressure for Low Profile Tires and Excessive Veer with Perfect Alignment.

[Stefenhop]

I have a 2002 Ford Taurus SES FFV, OHV with Low profile tires. 205/50R16. I currently have 32 lbs of pressure in my tires because I assumed that since they are smaller tires i needed more pressure. I do not want to put 35 lbs in my tires because a) I'm not sure the adverse effects and b) there would be no expansion space. I am trying to figure out what the recommended pressure is for those tires on my vehicle. I took my car out for a test drive today after i geeked my engine for giving me a emissions leak warning. It seems to be fixed and i believe that was due to the automating timing being offset by bad driving habits but now that all that is fixed, my car seems to veer excessively in both directions and my handling is crap. My power steering is full so that is not the case. Could some one help me figure out my recommended tire pressure?

[The White Falcon]

What is stamped on the tire sidewall?

[Stefenhop]

it says 35 Cold psi max

[The White Falcon]

Alright, did the handling get worse after you aired up the tires? Has it gotten worse since you put these tires on?

Also, just because the alignment is good doesn't mean the front end is in good shape. You might want to check ball joints, etc, for wear and tear. Make sure the lug nuts are tight as well.

[Stefenhop]

I've had the car since early january and these are the tires that came on it. I aired the tires up during miday and they seemed to ride smother than me airing them up this morning to 32 psi. the ride has worsened since last week wen i had more pressure in them it is very difficult to keep the car flowing smoothly on the freeway @65 so i would say it has worsed over all city and highway

[The White Falcon]

That sounds like far more than a pressure problem. Get the car checked. If you want to do it yourself, jack up a front wheel, grab it with your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, and rock it back and forth (you're pushing from the top and bottom). If it moves more than a little your steering components are worn out. Barring that, the tires might be going bad as well. Also, how do you know the alignment is good? Have you had it checked?

[Stefenhop]

not per-say but by the simple testing of do you roll straight on a flat surface for more than a 1/4 mile.and by top to bottom do you mean push towards the ground and towards the sky?

[sousa632]

The only REAL way to know if the alignment is good is by taking it to a shop and getting it checked and/or corrected. Pulling to the left and right(not just one side) is a sign of a bad alignment or bad suspension parts. I'll bet the inner tie rods are shot and it's causing issues. Jack the car up and do this in the video. If it does what my wheels did, the inner tie rods are bad and need to be replaced.

Bad Inner Tie Rod 2001 Sable Wagon - YouTube

Bad Inner Tie Rod 2001 Sable Wagon - YouTube

[Stefenhop]

the tie rods appear fine. the left and right tires moved no more than a few millimeters (about 2-4mm if that). I'm not sure if it is within the suspension system or within the steering column. i have also made note that my wear and tear says that my toe appears to be off granted the rest of alignment appears fine. the front left tire appears to be wearing evenly.the left rear appears to be wearing inside. the right two tires appear to be wearing outside. I have uni-directional tires so rotating them to even the wear is impossible. Could my toe have anything to do with veering? or are there any other things that also may inflict my veering.

(please note the veering occurs at its worst at freeway speeds.)

[behlinla]

There should be zero perceivable slop in the tie rods when you do the wiggle test at 3 and 9 o'clock. When you do this test you should have the key turned so you aren't feeling the steering column lock stopping the rotation.