New Truck Looks Great But Doesn't Feel Right

I just started driving for this company and they gave me a 2020 international. It looks great but the steering doesn't feel right. I've been driving for 3 years usually it takes about an hour or two to get used to a different truck. Ive been trying to think of how to explain the problem to the mechanic. At first I thought there might be too much play in the steering wheel now I'm thinking it might be too tight. Best way to describe it is like a teeter totter when I try to correct it it over corrects. It's very difficult keeping it in line especially on curves going downhill. I hope this makes cents to someone and I can get an idea of what to do. Thank you

What's the cold pressure in all the tires?

Tom, remember the steering wheel check in your pre-trip:

Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel)

It you're off that standard, it's into the shop you go.

I am currently on my 3rd (possibly 4th, not sure) trip to the shop to have mine fixed. Pulls to the right and shakes violently when braking. Drums and tie rods replaced, wheels balanced, problem returns after a couple hundred miles.

I am currently on my 3rd (possibly 4th, not sure) trip to the shop to have mine fixed. Pulls to the right and shakes violently when braking. Drums and tie rods replaced, wheels balanced, problem returns after a couple hundred miles.

They need to look at your toe in on the steer tires, the torque on the wheel bearings, and check out the king pins.

Grumpy Old Man says:

I am currently on my 3rd (possibly 4th, not sure) trip to the shop to have mine fixed. Pulls to the right and shakes violently when braking. Drums and tie rods replaced, wheels balanced, problem returns after a couple hundred miles.

Sounds similar to a problem that I had on a car with disc brakes. We had to replace the rotors every 20-30,000 miles because they became so badly warped and would shake when braking. They had checked and replaced pretty much everything brake and suspension wise.

Ended up getting rid of the car, but I surmise that the problem may have been the non-adjustable suspension/brake components.

Good luck.

I am currently on my 3rd (possibly 4th, not sure) trip to the shop to have mine fixed. Pulls to the right and shakes violently when braking. Drums and tie rods replaced, wheels balanced, problem returns after a couple hundred miles.

They need to look at your toe in on the steer tires, the torque on the wheel bearings, and check out the king pins.

Thanks I’ll mention it. I had asked they check the wheel bears and king pins

A couple other thoughts occured to me since the first post. It's a lot, but there are a bunch of components in the mechanics.

Does it shimmy at different speeds?

Is it a shimmy while you're bobtail , or only with a trailer?

Does it get worse under acceleration?

Is the shimmy in the steering wheel, or do you feel it in the pedals, or in your seat?

Does it occur the same at different speed ranges, like 20-30 mph, then stops, then starts again when you are going 50 mph and over?

They need to check the wheel balance, torques on the lug nuts, and if the wheel is actually centered on the hub correctly, too.

A couple other thoughts occured to me since the first post. It's a lot, but there are a bunch of components in the mechanics.

Does it shimmy at different speeds?

Is it a shimmy while you're bobtail , or only with a trailer?

Does it get worse under acceleration?

Is the shimmy in the steering wheel, or do you feel it in the pedals, or in your seat?

Does it occur the same at different speed ranges, like 20-30 mph, then stops, then starts again when you are going 50 mph and over?

They need to check the wheel balance, torques on the lug nuts, and if the wheel is actually centered on the hub correctly, too.

Seems to happen only while braking and worse at around 45, maybe a slight shake while driving but negligible, if any.

Steering wheel shakes violently, fender mirrors and hood shake, feels like a wheel is wobbling.

I watched them torque the lug nuts after balancing the wheels

Pulls right, originally when braking, but now all the time.

Bobtail or trailer both