Jeep drives fine until it rains

[Statler Waldorf]

A few months back, I purchased an '01 TJ with 200k miles. The front tires were bald, but the backs were fine, so I got two tires and an alignment.

Since then, I've put about 3k miles on it. It drives on and off pavement just fine—until it rains.

If I hit a puddle on the pavement doing 45mph or more, the steering yanks hard in the direction of the puddle. A driver's side puddle yanks to the driver's side. A passenger's side puddle yanks to the passenger's side.

Is this just a weak stabilizer, or is there something else going on?

 

[GregBelleville]

Are you hydroplaning?

 

[Harold&Cat]

Choice of tires can make a huge difference on how it will behave on wet roads . Living in Louisiana with our heavy rains and sub-standard roads it is important to have a tire that treads water well .

Show us a picture of your new tires .

 

[TJ Jim]

I had 33”x12.5” on my JK that would do the same thing. What size tires do you have on it? My TJ has 32”x11.5” and it doesn’t pull in the puddles.

 

[Harold&Cat]

A narrower tire with decent tread spacing such as an all terrain or mt works great for higher speed ponding of water on roads . Even then , if the water is deep enough it will pull the vehicle in the direction of the wheel in the deepest water .

 

[Statler Waldorf]

This doesn't feel like any hydroplaning I've ever experienced. The first time it happened, I thought I was going into the ditch.

The tires are 30x9.5. I can't take a photo at the moment, but here's a stock photo of the tread.

 

[Chris]

Read the sidewall of the tire, what does it say for brand, model, and type of tire?

 

[Statler Waldorf]

Atturo Trail Blade A/T All Terrain LT30X9.50R15 104S C Light Truck Tire

 

[TheBoogieman]

Did you leave the 45 psi in the tires that the shop inflated them to?
p.s. How big are the puddles?

 

[Statler Waldorf]

PSI might be the issue. The shop inflated them to 35.

The puddles are literally a little water on an otherwise level strip of pavement. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

How did you get that photo of my Jeep?

 

[TheBoogieman]

PSI might be the issue. The shop inflated them to 35.

The puddles are literally a little water on an otherwise level strip of pavement. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Drop it to 28-30 psi and see if it helps.

How did you get that photo of my Jeep?

 

[Statler Waldorf]

I'll give that a try.

 

[KennethS]

Make sure the front control arm bushings are in good shape. Your issue sounds almost like what I experienced when the front lower control arm bushings were sloppy.

 

[Statler Waldorf]

Thanks, @KennethS. I'll give that a look as well.

 

[Harold&Cat]

Those tires should tread water just fine .

 

[Brimstone]

Check the condition of the steering stabilizer. If you can jack up the front axle and shake all the steering and suspension components and look for loose joints.

 

[TJ Jim]

If you are close to Norfolk Virginia they don’t crown the roads like the rest of the world and have rivers running down the roads. Never could drive without holding on tight to the wheel

 

[Jamison C]

Maybe it's just me, but I feel like every vehicle I've owned that othwerwise drives fine gets jerked towards a large enough puddle if I hit it fast enough.

 

[Statler Waldorf]

@Harold&Cat , I agree. I don't think the tread is the problem.

@Brimstone , I plan to get under the Jeep this weekend and take a look at the stabilizer, bushings, etc.

@TJ Jim , Close. I'm in North Carolina near Raleigh.

@Jamison C , I agree. But this is far worse than I've experienced in other vehicles.

I'll post an update after I get a good look at the suspension components.

 

[TJ Jim]

Don’t think a 9.5” tire would cause you that much trouble. My TJ is 11.5” and I don’t have any pulling through the puddles. In fact I’m a bit amazed at how steady it goes through them. And we get some ferocious 2” rains in thirty minute time frames here. Yesterday got 1” in ten minutes.