Sponsored

Bad steering box 68418449AE

basicGlad

Well-Known Member
First Name
GBP
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
375
Reaction score
238
Location
new england
Vehicle(s)
miata, vw bugg, subaru
Build Thread
Link
I was reading the Mojave review and I would say this describes my steering.

At highway speeds, all Gladiators require regular steering corrections to travel straight, but at least handle competently and confidently at pedestrian speeds.
I'm still going to try film my steering box today and see if it's moving off the frame, I'm thinking about that synergy brace.
Sponsored

 

Renegade

Well-Known Member
First Name
Zac
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Threads
38
Messages
3,615
Reaction score
4,816
Location
Signal Mountain, TN
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT
Build Thread
Link
I was reading the Mojave review and I would say this describes my steering.



I'm still going to try film my steering box today and see if it's moving off the frame, I'm thinking about that synergy brace.
I noticed my box moving From the frame yesterday while the steering was being turned (I heard a noise first). The mounting bolts were loose, and I retorqued them.
 

basicGlad

Well-Known Member
First Name
GBP
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
375
Reaction score
238
Location
new england
Vehicle(s)
miata, vw bugg, subaru
Build Thread
Link
I noticed my box moving From the frame yesterday while the steering was being turned (I heard a noise first). The mounting bolts were loose, and I retorqued them.
Yeah I was just reading your post in the loose steering box bolts thread. I think when I take mine out to put the synergy brace and I will just red loctite them.

I have 2 cars, my wife has an Impreza plus my JT so im only at 3300 miles. You're at 8500?

My JT gets used to haul yard waste away, household junk that's ripped out during renos and demolitions. I'm gutting a house right now and getting ready to gut a two story double door garage.

That's the extent of my on road driving... I would say more than 1/2 my miles are off paved roads in rural Maine. The roads are sometimes dirt, sometimes a flooded mud run, sometimes snow. So I'm rarely going faster than 45-60mph and most of the time 4hi. I drive my JT about 3-5 times per week I just don't have to go very far. But I do want to record some driving so I can get a second opinion on my steering.
 

Renegade

Well-Known Member
First Name
Zac
Joined
Sep 11, 2017
Threads
38
Messages
3,615
Reaction score
4,816
Location
Signal Mountain, TN
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT
Build Thread
Link
Yeah I was just reading your post in the loose steering box bolts thread. I think when I take mine out to put the synergy brace and I will just red loctite them.

I have 2 cars, my wife has an Impreza plus my JT so im only at 3300 miles. You're at 8500?

My JT gets used to haul yard waste away, household junk that's ripped out during renos and demolitions. I'm gutting a house right now and getting ready to gut a two story double door garage.

That's the extent of my on road driving... I would say more than 1/2 my miles are off paved roads in rural Maine. The roads are sometimes dirt, sometimes a flooded mud run, sometimes snow. So I'm rarely going faster than 45-60mph and most of the time 4hi. I drive my JT about 3-5 times per week I just don't have to go very far. But I do want to record some driving so I can get a second opinion on my steering.
I know I have a good steering box, as I’ve driven a couple of JLs with the bad box. I think you would know if yours is bad. It’s terrible...
 

basicGlad

Well-Known Member
First Name
GBP
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
375
Reaction score
238
Location
new england
Vehicle(s)
miata, vw bugg, subaru
Build Thread
Link
Here's my steering on my 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It was made beginning of September and I took delivery Oct 1st 2019

I wanted to post this video as a baseline// benchmark for reference because I feel like I don't have a problem... it's not bad, it's not horrible, it's not dangerous... however the steering is not good like my AWD Impreza, FWD VW New Beetle or RWD NA Miata

Sorry if it's hard to tell if the steering box is moving off the frame. the only place I could get the GoPro was zip tied to the tie rod. It does not look like the steering box is moving to me.

Maybe the best parts are at 11 minutes and at 19 minutes till the end... But please take a look and tell me what you think. Should I install the synergy brace?



I got this done this morning. I'm sorry the video is so wonky I filmed a couple different ways with my phone and a GoPro. My focus was just to have it uploaded timely and not spend a ton of time making the video OCD perfect. The biggest thing I focused on was just having the two clips synchronized.
 

Sponsored

peteawalk

Member
First Name
Peter
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
21
Reaction score
11
Location
64063
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator
Occupation
IT
I'm surprised FCA Jeep hasn't stepped up and addressed reported steering issues. Poor quality feedback pasted along to potential customers kills sales. This truck gets a ton of attention where ever we go, but sadly the feedback is: " I love it, but.. (Insert steering comments here) ".
@Scrubb84 I just got a call from dealer saying they are going to change my steering box. I hope it is one of the good boxes and I don't have to change out three more times. Thank you again for your original post. Also, I say for those that think this steering situation is a hoax, kiss my ass!
this steering fixed. Reminds me of old worn out cars when I started driving. Long ago. I got good at adjusting Pitman boxes. Steering boxes. But can't get to the one in the JL 2 L-turbo.
Here's my steering on my 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It was made beginning of September and I took delivery Oct 1st 2019

I wanted to post this video as a baseline// benchmark for reference because I feel like I don't have a problem... it's not bad, it's not horrible, it's not dangerous... however the steering is not good like my AWD Impreza, FWD VW New Beetle or RWD NA Miata

Sorry if it's hard to tell if the steering box is moving off the frame. the only place I could get the GoPro was zip tied to the tie rod. It does not look like the steering box is moving to me.

Maybe the best parts are at 11 minutes and at 19 minutes till the end... But please take a look and tell me what you think. Should I install the synergy brace?



I got this done this morning. I'm sorry the video is so wonky I filmed a couple different ways with my phone and a GoPro. My focus was just to have it uploaded timely and not spend a ton of time making the video OCD perfect. The biggest thing I focused on was just having the two clips synchronized.
Im experiencing the same thing. Mine was built October 2019. Picked it up April 2020. I think I need to do the center Check at the dealer soon.
 

Onebigyoshi

Well-Known Member
First Name
Haruyoshi
Joined
Mar 22, 2019
Threads
6
Messages
385
Reaction score
249
Location
Atlanta, GA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Rubicon Sting grey M/T. Prius...
Here's my steering on my 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It was made beginning of September and I took delivery Oct 1st 2019

I wanted to post this video as a baseline// benchmark for reference because I feel like I don't have a problem... it's not bad, it's not horrible, it's not dangerous... however the steering is not good like my AWD Impreza, FWD VW New Beetle or RWD NA Miata

Sorry if it's hard to tell if the steering box is moving off the frame. the only place I could get the GoPro was zip tied to the tie rod. It does not look like the steering box is moving to me.

Maybe the best parts are at 11 minutes and at 19 minutes till the end... But please take a look and tell me what you think. Should I install the synergy brace?



I got this done this morning. I'm sorry the video is so wonky I filmed a couple different ways with my phone and a GoPro. My focus was just to have it uploaded timely and not spend a ton of time making the video OCD perfect. The biggest thing I focused on was just having the two clips synchronized.
Thanks for the video, was really helpful to compare mine and how other JT's steering are. So I have a stock Rubicon, and it's pretty much identical to the way your JT steering handles. I keep my wheel at 12, on straight road it'll walk to the right unless I put some tension to the left. When I try to correct it, sometimes I overcorrect because of the steering play and it'll veer to the left so I have to adjust again. The pull to the right is much worse if I completely let go of the handle. I have about the same amount of steering wheel play as yours. If all this is considered normal, I'm okay with it. Sometimes I think too harsh on my JT becomes I'm coming from a 4 door sedan. This is my first 4x4 vehicle.
 

basicGlad

Well-Known Member
First Name
GBP
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
375
Reaction score
238
Location
new england
Vehicle(s)
miata, vw bugg, subaru
Build Thread
Link
The pull to the right is much worse if I completely let go of the handle. I have about the same amount of steering wheel play as yours. If all this is considered normal, I'm okay with it. Sometimes I think too harsh on my JT becomes I'm coming from a 4 door sedan. This is my first 4x4 vehicle.
Yeah... Shoot. I think I forgot to test that. But you're correct I let go of the wheel it will walk left or right much sooner. The three other cars I have to compare with, when I let go of the wheel it will go straight for quite a long ways until the crown of the road slowly leads them to the right. If I hold those three cars steering wheel at 12'o-clock they will go straight for even longer and they don't need that fidgety steering input between 11 to 1'o-clock at all to stay straight.

Here's just the steering box video

Again sorry the gopro was zip tied to the tie rod... I wish I could have mounted the camera better so the camera did not have to move.

again I wouldn't describe my steering as bad or horrible or dangerous but I would describe it as not good steering.
 
Last edited:

éktos

New Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jun 2, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
2
Reaction score
5
Location
Winnipeg, MB
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Gladiator
My jeep is also a wanderer...taking it to the dealer tomorrow see what they say.
less than 700 kilometers (430 miles).
 

Sponsored

HWKIGRL

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jennifer
Joined
May 4, 2020
Threads
7
Messages
152
Reaction score
167
Location
LA County
Vehicle(s)
2020 Firecracker Red Gladiator Overland, 2” Mopar left. Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
Occupation
Small business owner
Wait, that isnt normal?
I’m not so good with sarcasm in text, are you serious?
i don’t know the whole “Jeep thing” that people on here have mentioned and I’m willing to learn but in my case the steering is obviously different than my GC and I rented a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for About 2 months after my GC was totaled and while I shopped for the JT and it had pretty normal steering, if I moved the wheel from 12-1 the car began to turn as well...I’d think that was more normal then 10-2, no?
 

Factoid

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Dec 2, 2019
Threads
23
Messages
958
Reaction score
1,827
Location
San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator 2019 Porsche Cayenne 1964 Corvette
Occupation
Performance Coach
I have no slop in the steering wheel to pitman arm movement. I did have some wandering on the highway, but that disappeared when I installed the Synergy brace and adjustable track bar, but I also adjusted front toe and tire pressure so I’m not sure which of these made the real difference.
 

basicGlad

Well-Known Member
First Name
GBP
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
375
Reaction score
238
Location
new england
Vehicle(s)
miata, vw bugg, subaru
Build Thread
Link
I could move the steering wheel from 10-2 + with no movement at the pitman arm what so ever.
Yeah that sounds terrible. My steering isn't great like my other cars but my JT isn't that bad. My dead zone at the top of the wheel is probably 2° - 3°. So it's less than 11 - 1

@HWKIGRL I would agree, if I move my wheel to 1°-clock we're steering right, move it to 11°-clock we're steering left. (actually it responds before 11 & 1 position

It just needs that constant steering input to stay straight.

I think I am going to install the synergy brace too. I'm shy of spending $250 and having no improvement.

@Scrubb84 should I install the brace?

@Factoid I'm thinking about just doing the brace, no steering stabilizer shock. But I'm not convinced my JT has a problem, it's just not good steering you can hold at 12 and go straight like my cars

When I try to correct it, sometimes I overcorrect because of the steering play and it'll veer to the left so I have to adjust again. The pull to the right is much worse if I completely let go of the handle. I have about the same amount of steering wheel play as yours. If all this is considered normal, I'm okay with it. Sometimes I think too harsh on my JT becomes I'm coming from a 4 door sedan. This is my first 4x4 vehicle.
When I use steering input to correct the drifting//walking I feel like I don't over correct and I don't have to keep correcting my over correction like you. I just cannot hold the wheel at 12 and go straight like my AWD, FWD & RWD cars.

I do stick to what the Mojave review said as true for my JT
At highway speeds, all Gladiators require regular steering corrections to travel straight, but at least handle competently and confidently at pedestrian speeds.
 

PyrPatriot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2019
Threads
193
Messages
2,668
Reaction score
1,875
Location
Kentucky, USA
Vehicle(s)
JT Sport S Max Tow; Honda Element
I’m not so good with sarcasm in text, are you serious?
i don’t know the whole “Jeep thing” that people on here have mentioned and I’m willing to learn but in my case the steering is obviously different than my GC and I rented a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for About 2 months after my GC was totaled and while I shopped for the JT and it had pretty normal steering, if I moved the wheel from 12-1 the car began to turn as well...I’d think that was more normal then 10-2, no?
No sarcasm. Im serious
 

PyrPatriot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2019
Threads
193
Messages
2,668
Reaction score
1,875
Location
Kentucky, USA
Vehicle(s)
JT Sport S Max Tow; Honda Element
Yeah that sounds terrible. My steering isn't great like my other cars but my JT isn't that bad. My dead zone at the top of the wheel is probably 2° - 3°. So it's less than 11 - 1

@HWKIGRL I would agree, if I move my wheel to 1°-clock we're steering right, move it to 11°-clock we're steering left. (actually it responds before 11 & 1 position

It just needs that constant steering input to stay straight.

I think I am going to install the synergy brace too. I'm shy of spending $250 and having no improvement.

@Scrubb84 should I install the brace?

@Factoid I'm thinking about just doing the brace, no steering stabilizer shock. But I'm not convinced my JT has a problem, it's just not good steering you can hold at 12 and go straight like my cars



When I use steering input to correct the drifting//walking I feel like I don't over correct and I don't have to keep correcting my over correction like you. I just cannot hold the wheel at 12 and go straight like my AWD, FWD & RWD cars.

I do stick to what the Mojave review said as true for my JT
I am finding I need to constantly correct the JT. If there is even a slight tilt in the road it will go that way. When I first got it it would pull right very hard but the dealer adjusted something (no idea what) so now the steering follows the terrain. On completely flat roads, like a runway, seems to go straight. Need to check after all my offroading
Sponsored

 
 







Top