Is this amount of dead zone in the steering normal?

[vaticanvoodoo]

2021 Diesel with 35s.

This amount of dead zone in the steering at highways speeds is a little unnerving, especially when passing larger trucks. I took it to the local dealer and had them install the 2 inch mopar lift and asked them to look at this as well, and they told me the only way they would diagnose it is if I put the original wheels on. I told them it was doing this even with the stock wheels, but they refused to look at it.

If I air down the tires some, it does help, but still feels unsafe.

My question is, does anyone else deal with this and is this "normal"? If you have dealt with it, what did you do to fix it or convince the dealer to fix it?

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[j.o.y.ride]

Probably about what I have. Doesn't bother me.

 

[OHverland]

I have a 2021 Overland with stock wheels and tires and have the same issue. Deflated the tires down and no improvement. I understand "it's a Jeep" but just seems a bit off to me...

 

[MPMB]

2021 Diesel with 35s.

This amount of dead zone in the steering at highways speeds is a little unnerving, especially when passing larger trucks. I took it to the local dealer and had them install the 2 inch mopar lift and asked them to look at this as well, and they told me the only way they would diagnose it is if I put the original wheels on. I told them it was doing this even with the stock wheels, but they refused to look at it.

If I air down the tires some, it does help, but still feels unsafe.

My question is, does anyone else deal with this and is this "normal"? If you have dealt with it, what did you do to fix it or convince the dealer to fix it?

That's not exactly all "free play" in the wheel. You may think the truck isn't moving, but the wheels are.

The back and forth you may not feel the truck "steering." But just hold the wheel in one direction, not slop it back and forth.

Does anyone have the scrub radius numbers? The lower the scrub radius, the less "feel" the driver can have.

I could shake my Golf like that without movement, but not the A4 because of DBW steering.

 

[ShastaJT6]

Same here, and it drives me NUTS. The amount of slop in the steering is ridiculous.

I found that by replacing the OEM Steering stabilizer with a Fox one, it got a little better.
There still too much slop in the steering setup, but the OEM Steering stabilizer is really wimpy.
The additional support from an aftermarket one firmed it up a bit. Its not fixed, but its driveable.

 

[Mac]

What is your wheel and tire setup?

 

[Dryfly24]

Try what @MPMB suggested. As he said it’s not all free play. Just hold it to one side or the other about the same distance as you’re wiggling it and you’ll see that it does move to that side.

 

[Pescado]

2.5" lift with 35's on my Overland and it looks like that also, and I have the new steering gear. Its kind of annoying

 

[XraytecH]

You know the joke...

Patient
- Hey Doc my arm hurts when I do this.

Doctor
- Well, don't do that.

In all seriousness, that's the nature of stock components.

 

[FloridaJT6MT]

I don’t think I have that much play on my stock Willys Sport, but I also had a JLU previously, and that one seemed much worse to me, but that also was my first Jeep. All that being said, there is a thread on here with a link to a YouTube video where someone manually adjusts the steering to tighten up that play. I haven’t tried it because I don’t notice it/it doesn’t bother me, but it looked pretty easy to complete in the video.

 

[FloridaJT6MT]

Here it is:

Gladiator Steering Box Adjustment

 

[vaticanvoodoo]

What is your wheel and tire setup?

Pro Comp 69 with Nitto Terra Grappler G2 - Against stock they only added about 14 lbs per wheel.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

That's not exactly all "free play" in the wheel. You may think the truck isn't moving, but the wheels are.

The back and forth you may not feel the truck "steering." But just hold the wheel in one direction, not slop it back and forth.

I tested this out and it's for sure true.

Turn the truck on
Roll the driver window down
Engage the "slop" area
Watch your tires. If like mine they are moving.

I actually appreciate this micro steering if you want to call it that. It helps make small adjustments to uneven roads or crosswinds. I've always saw it as a benefit.

 

[XraytecH]

Here it is:

Gladiator Steering Box Adjustment

Yup

Never done it because my steering seems fine with a 2” MOPAR Lift and after market 35” rubber and wheels. The OP my want to look into this option.

 

[vaticanvoodoo]

I don’t think I have that much play on my stock Willys Sport, but I also had a JLU previously, and that one seemed much worse to me, but that also was my first Jeep. All that being said, there is a thread on here with a link to a YouTube video where someone manually adjusts the steering to tighten up that play. I haven’t tried it because I don’t notice it/it doesn’t bother me, but it looked pretty easy to complete in the video.

Thanks for the video. I don't have the problem he shows while parked or even at city speeds. It only happens when I'm at highway speeds.

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