Issues after larger tires

Good morning, we have a 2011 Sr5 4 runner . We recently installed an Eibach lift and 285,75,18s with new wheels. We are now having issues with what I believe is the traction control system. While going around certain corners it will activate and apply the brakes and make it difficult to control the vehicle. We have had it to the dealer and they weren’t able to fix the issue. Does anyone know what the issue could be ? The lift went on first and it didn’t happen until the larger tires were installed. My wife is scared to drive the thing until it gets sorted out. Thanks for the help.

 

the only thing i heard is that you have to recalibrate sensors when you install lift of bigger tires. I saw procedure somewhere on forums but didn't pay much attention since I don't have a lift. Hopefully somebody can give you more information.

 

Sorry I don't have any helpful info either. 3 4runners with 285/70R17 tires didn't notice anything different on traction control.

If it happened to me I would check the tire psi. I like to run closer to stock psi regardless the tire size (may be not recommended). I run around 34,35psi.

I would also check alignment with a different shop that is recommended for Toyota lifts. Because one time my 4x4shop friend told a about driving feel with some alignment setting, I think he was telling about caster,. But I didn't understand that.

I assume your tires are new not used worn tires. If they are used wider tires would make things worse if my calculation I did in the past is correct (not sure). Wider tires seem to put less force per square inch due to bigger contact patch.

Worst case I would remove everything and see.

 

Is the traction control light turning on when it happens or just what it feels like is happening?
A 285/75/18 is essentially a 35...
Could the tire be rubbing the body mount or upper control arm while turning?

 

Check the lines/sensors that run to the front brakes. I’ve read about similar issues when people install lifts and forget to support the front suspension when it’s taken apart. Some things were not meant to stretch that far and can be damaged easily.

Since these issues started after the lift install, that’s the first thing I’d be looking at.

 

The op said it was ok after the lift but when the tires went on thats when the trouble started.

 

That is a rather large tire and without the addition of a new upper control arm or maybe a BMC the alignment is not quite there.

 

The dealer recalibrated the yaw sensor I believe. No change unfortunately

 

No light comes on no. The tires are not rubbing anywhere.

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention the upper control arms were also changed. We installed old man emu UCAs.

 

My suggestion would be talk to a specialty 4x4 shop that works on and lifts a lot of Toyotas and likely deals with that problem every week. I had an alignment problem that no one could seem to fix, our local Yota specialty shop had it sorted in an hour.

 

I will check the psi . The tires and wheels are new. Bfg all terrains and icon wheels .

 

Because this is my wife’s car I haven’t felt the issue personally so I am not sure if it’s traction control or maybe the abs system. Either way it happens on certain corners that she drives often . Maybe 1 in 20 times around certain corners the vehicle seems to trigger a sensor that makes the vehicle hard to control . I think I may have to feel it myself in order to get a better idea.

 

Have you checked for rubbing under compression with wheels turned? Has your wife mentioned if she hears any sounds when this happens? If it's rubbing on the outside (loaded) tire during a turn, that may feel like the brakes are activating. She'd probably hear (and feel) a sound though.

 

35 inch tires are kind of a big deal, and not a straight forward plug and play modification. How do you know they don't rub if you havent experienced it? It could be rubbing on the inside of the tire somewhere not easily seen, unless you have remove each tire and inspected for rubbing evidence. And just looking if the tires touch something when it’s parked doesnt mean it doesnt rub while moving or when the suspension is loaded in different ways while driving.

I’d do some research on what needs to get chopped/hammered when running your combination of tire and wheel specs. I don’t think you should assume a sensor problem unless you have a code or malfunction light. And having abs or traction control activate might not mean it’s a problem with the sensors, if tires getting caught on metal are triggering them.

 

My two cents - the boys are right, lots of guys swear by the higher profile tire sizes, rule out rubbing when it's stuffed by driving up on a vehicle ramp one tire at time and turning.

 

If all these things check out, get a different dealer/expert shop opinion. Certainly seems like the tires are the culprit maybe tripping some sensor

 

You could be right . I will check it out.