2023 Gladiator Sport, sloppy steering after 3.5” Metalcloak addition.

[Darkspeed]

And verify they used the correct diameter bolts if your ocd. And torque your lug nuts.

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[BigFishPA]

Great suggestions everyone! I have already double checked everything being torqued properly. I will try increasing my caster a bit but wondering if tightening the steering box adjustment is better, as Lunentucker suggested?

 

[Lunentucker]

I would try the caster first, since that's going to be the easiest to and undo, but if you really do have "slop" in the steering wheel at rest then you probably have some room for adjustment.
You will need a few tools and a torch or heat gun.
That red loctite don't play.

My caster is probably around 7.5 now, since moving to the third and lowest hole in the correction brackets. My wife drove it yesterday for the first time in months and said, "Oh my God! it took nearly a year, but this isn't even the same truck we bought home!"

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ng-wander-fix-cost-me-0-updated-1-7-23.57677/

 

[BigFishPA]

You may want to increase that castor some. I am running 6.5 to 7 degrees of castor and it tracks and responds effortlessly with very little steering input. I am running a 3" lift with 38x13.50 Patagonia MT's at 35 psi. Also running the synergy pinon/trackbar support.

Great suggestion!
To increase my castor I’d extend my control arms longer, right?

 

[Lunentucker]

The Metalcloak brace is well worth the money as well.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...oak-steering-brace-review.64973/#post-1082947

 

[Lunentucker]

Great suggestion!
To increase my castor I’d extend my control arms longer, right?

yes. Carefully count the revolutions and duplicate both sides.

 

[Lunentucker]

By the way, your tire pressure for the 35 K02's is right where it should be.

 

[BigFishPA]

The Metalcloak brace is well worth the money as well.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...oak-steering-brace-review.64973/#post-1082947

Thanks again Lunentucker!
I just seem to keep throwing money at this suspension. Do you find that the Metalcloak brace was a bigger/better fix than the Rancho geometry correction?
To be honest this Gladiator is more of a mall crawler with a lift for looks…. I have a CJ7 with 350 v8 and super swampers when I really want to go off-roading.

 

[Lunentucker]

Thanks again Lunentucker!
I just seem to keep throwing money at this suspension. Do you find that the Metalcloak brace was a bigger/better fix than the Rancho geometry correction?
To be honest this Gladiator is more of a mall crawler with a lift for looks…. I have a CJ7 with 350 v8 and super swampers when I really want to go off-roading.

The Metalcloak brace stiffens the steering by adding strength and support to the bottom of the sector shaft.

The geometry correction brackets correct caster, but they also correct angle at which road energy is imparted into the suspension of a lifted vehicle, sending energy up and into the shocks and springs rather than reward and into the frame.

Having both isn't a bad idea, but since you have adjustable control arms the sector shaft brace might be your first priority.

 

[Lunentucker]

This video explains correction brackets way better than my words can.

 

[BigFishPA]

This video explains correction brackets way better than my words can.

Great video! Sure makes more sense now!
Thanks again!

 

[Darkspeed]

I did the steersmarts sector shaft brace because it supports the steering shaft and reinforces the track bar mount.

I would start with geometry brackets.

https://steersmarts.com/collections/all-of-our-products/products/yeti-xd-jl-jt-sector-shaft-brace

 

[BigFishPA]

Just to follow up and say thanks to everyone for the great suggestions and advice! I did end up getting the Rancho geometry brackets and the re-dialing my caster back in with my adjustable control arms, caster now 6.4. This Gladiator drives perfect now and possibly better then from the factory! Thanks again guys, much appreciated!!

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