The Most Effective Steering Wander Fix Cost Me $0 (Updated 1-7-23)

[ShadowsPapa]

As an aside, I don’t think 2” or even 3.5” lifts present too much pinion/driveline angle problems. Yes they change a bit. But I think all will be fine if you aren’t constantly hot rod-ing the truck or being overly rough and aggressive.
Some want that ability. But I think if you take it cautious when wheeling it should be okay.
Just my $.02. ?

As long as the joint angle on each end is the same as or within a certain range, it wouldn't be an issue until you reached some extreme angles. It's when the pinion angle is changed but the angle at the other end of the shaft remains about the same that you introduce different speed changes at each end and vibration.
I went through having to change pinion angle on one of my cars because the new leaf springs were made wrong and tipped the pinion differently, I had some angle differences - had to use shims between axle tubes and springs to correct it.

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[Lunentucker]

I spent more time on the road today than I have in probably all of the days combined since I started this thread.
The Mojave drove absolutely beautifully!

The stock Falkens were at 33 cold by the tpms and ran 35 on the road. 80 degree ambient.
The steering was snug and there was no wandering or bump steer.
It's taken quite a bit to get here, but I'm happy with the way mine drives now.

Still saying the steering gearbox adjustment was by far the most effective thing done ??

 

[gamorg02]

Thanks for all the info. The dealer recently replaced my steering stabilizer with a new one which had a stiffer feel, but the wander was still there a bit. I tightened the box about a 1/16 (didn't feel a difference), then another 1/16 of a turn and now it just feels 'stiffer' but still needs the same amount of correction to the wander.

May have to go back to the dealer & see if they have any other ideas or drive another Jeep and just see if it's me, lol.

edit: one thing to note I will say i noticed it far less when the doors/top was off. So it could be the wind throwing the vehicle around a lot - still not good but almost like there's just too much play in the components.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks for all the info. The dealer recently replaced my steering stabilizer with a new one which had a stiffer feel, but the wander was still there a bit. I tightened the box about a 1/16 (didn't feel a difference), then another 1/16 of a turn and now it just feels 'stiffer' but still needs the same amount of correction to the wander.

May have to go back to the dealer & see if they have any other ideas or drive another Jeep and just see if it's me, lol.

edit: one thing to note I will say i noticed it far less when the doors/top was off. So it could be the wind throwing the vehicle around a lot - still not good but almost like there's just too much play in the components.

One thing I have noticed is that these are very susceptible to the effects of wind. It's very windy here much of the time and I've noticed that on a rare calm day - it's a very different vehicle.

 

[gamorg02]

Stopped down to the dealer last week and had a tech ride with me. They are going to replace the steering box later this month. He did an interesting test where he grabbed the steering shaft before it hits the box and turned it back and forth. the steering wheel turned probably 2" each way before the gears engaged. He was also familiar with adjusting the box and since I had already done it they were good with the box replacement.

 

[gamorg02]

Steering box replaced, it's better, but not 100%. Dealer will get back to me on next steps - they may adjust the box screw, and/or have me take out another brand new one (willys) and compare.

 

[Lunentucker]

I just realized that I never posted some final updates on this, which may help others who stumble upon the thread with similar issues.

About 6 weeks ago I moved the Lower Control Arms down another hole in the Rancho correction brackets just to see how that felt.
They're staying!
The thing drives and handles nearly as good my Crosstrek.
It stays pointed straight and wants to return to straight as soon as I release the steering wheel.
Bump steer is ZERO.
Wander is ZERO.


I haven't driven it much in crosswinds yet. Summers in Virginia can be stagnant as far as winds go.

BFG K02 35's at 31 cold on stock Mojave rims make the ride smooth and comfortable.
Since the Z37 flash and my misfire fix I'm getting 19-19.5 on average combined driving.

I am stupid happy with the JT at this point! ?

 

[Jaxmax]

I love the “Stupid Happy”! Thanks for posting this thread, I have some slop in steering as we are a two Jeep family and my wife’s 2019 JL steers so much better with the aluminum box then my Mojave with steel, the whole feel is different as the JL Sahara is softer ,smaller tires and less agressive tread. Going to adjust the steering box in next couple weeks.
I am already Stupid Happy, so tighter steering might take me to
“Idiotic Happy”! ?…..Jack

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I love the “Stupid Happy”! Thanks for posting this thread, I have some slop in steering as we are a two Jeep family and my wife’s 2019 JL steers so much better with the aluminum box then my Mojave with steel, the whole feel is different as the JL Sahara is softer ,smaller tires and less agressive tread. Going to adjust the steering box in next couple weeks.
I am already Stupid Happy, so tighter steering might take me to
“Idiotic Happy”! ?…..Jack

I thought the steering of my 2020 was fine - this 2022 is even tighter. I mean you can feel the resistance when moving the wheel. It doesn't pull (unless one one of our many roads with a crown) - which means on most interstates and flat roads it just goes straight with steering wheel perfectly straight and level.
I towed my car on car hauler this weekend, 3 hours there, 3 hours back, and the steering was perfect.
I'd say with the 2022 they finally got the steering right. I can't say there's anything wrong with steering at all and it does as well as anything else I've had, especially for a vehicle that sits so tall with a high center of gravity.
I prefer driving this compared to my wife's grand cherokee with rack and pinion - that thing is too sensitive - it's like just itching to change direction when you touch that wheel. It's hyper like it's had too much sugar.

 

[gamorg02]

I just realized that I never posted some final updates on this, which may help others who stumble upon the thread with similar issues.

About 6 weeks ago I moved the Lower Control Arms down another hole in the Rancho correction brackets just to see how that felt.
They're staying!
The thing drives and handles nearly as good my Crosstrek.
It stays pointed straight and wants to return to straight as soon as I release the steering wheel.
Bump steer is ZERO.
Wander is ZERO.


I haven't driven it much in crosswinds yet. Summers in Virginia can be stagnant as far as winds go.

BFG K02 35's at 31 cold on stock Mojave rims make the ride smooth and comfortable.
Since the Z37 flash and my misfire fix I'm getting 19-19.5 on average combined driving.

I am stupid happy with the JT at this point! ?

Good info, i'm going to email Rancho and see if they recommend the correction brackets for a stock rubicon.

On my side - it's better but still not 'stupid happy' lol. I put on the OEM mopar fox damper and it helped a bit.

 

[DocGladiator]

I’m going to run the risk of resurrecting a “dead” thread here, but I just had a thought… We’ve not mentioned ALIGNMENT regarding the steering wander problem. Alignment has nothing to do with how “tight” the steer wheel feels, but a bad alignment could definitely make the truck feel like it’s pulling or wandering. After my lift/wheels/tires/re-gear/geometry correction, my truck drove better than ever! One thing I had done was a full alignment from a quality independent shop that specializes in trucks. It wouldn’t surprise me if some gladiators roll out of the factory with less than ideal alignment specs.

 

[Lunentucker]

I’m going to run the risk of resurrecting a “dead” thread here, but I just had a thought… We’ve not mentioned ALIGNMENT regarding the steering wander problem. Alignment has nothing to do with how “tight” the steer wheel feels, but a bad alignment could definitely make the truck feel like it’s pulling or wandering. After my lift/wheels/tires/re-gear/geometry correction, my truck drove better than ever! One thing I had done was a full alignment from a quality independent shop that specializes in trucks. It wouldn’t surprise me if some gladiators roll out of the factory with less than ideal alignment specs.

Valid point.
If you have your alignment sheet after they were done please post it. I haven't had mine done since I got it handling great but I've been curious to see what my setup actually is on the numbers.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I’m going to run the risk of resurrecting a “dead” thread here, but I just had a thought… We’ve not mentioned ALIGNMENT regarding the steering wander problem. Alignment has nothing to do with how “tight” the steer wheel feels, but a bad alignment could definitely make the truck feel like it’s pulling or wandering. After my lift/wheels/tires/re-gear/geometry correction, my truck drove better than ever! One thing I had done was a full alignment from a quality independent shop that specializes in trucks. It wouldn’t surprise me if some gladiators roll out of the factory with less than ideal alignment specs.

There is no alignment that can be done on these short of setting toe.
Caster is set unless you replace control arms.
Camber is set - unless you replace parts - such as using special ball joints (if they make them for these)
Alignment is a bad word to use.

Stock Gladiators can't be aligned.
Even lifted ones can only have toe and caster changed assuming adjustable control arms (edit to include "geometry correcting" brackets) were installed.
So - they didn't do a "full alignment" because they can't.

 

[Lunentucker]

There is no alignment that can be done on these short of setting toe.
Caster is set unless you replace control arms.
Camber is set - unless you replace parts.

The caster is adjustable via the geometry correction brackets. It's not granularly adjustable but it's adjustable.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The caster is adjustable via the geometry correction brackets. It's not granularly adjustable but it's adjustable.

Yes, but what I said stands with the minor mod of "adjustable control arms or brackets".
A stock gladiator can't even have that done.
Caster split can't be changed on a solid axle.

Here's the updated version:
A stock Gladiator can't be aligned with the exception of setting toe and centering the steering wheel.
A lifted Gladiator can't be aligned except for toe and caster - and caster can only be changed if control arms were replaced or adjustable brackets used (such as geometry correcting brackets)
Camber cannot be set or change without major parts replacement.
Caster split cannot be changed.

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