2021 Gladiator (no mods) highway steering instability

[Mad Mac]

Front wheel drive vehicles are inherently stable. I wonder if the Active Drive system used in the Jeep Compass that disconnects the rear axle would allow a Gladiator to stop wandering.

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[02sahara]

Are you able to provide a list of all the service updates that were performed? I am curious to see what they are currently doing relative to front end steering

I’ve had my JT for just over a month. I left the dealer late in the evening and didn’t notice the steering until the next morning and made a video of it 300mi on the odometer. I took it to my local dealership here in SC, ask me which to avoid them. They gave me an appointment, got there on the appointment and said they were now backed up a few days. Somehow within the next 48 hours they were able to make a diagnosis that: “it’s definitely not 100% correct and the steering is looser than it should be but it has the newer steering box and nothing is loose or looks wrong. And then said wait and see if there’s a TSB this year.

I talked with Jeep Cares and setup an appointment with a different dealer in town. They had it for 6 hours and had the courtesy to call when they said and that the steering gear was bad and needed replacing, we should have it ready tomorrow.

I can’t wait to get it tomorrow and see how she drives. Thanks Jeep Cares and don’t give up if you have a crappy dealer.

 

[SoGlad]

Are you able to provide a list of all the service updates that were performed? I am curious to see what they are currently doing relative to front end steering

This is what they did...

 

[SoGlad]

This is what they did...

Oh and I had the steel gear installed already.

 

[cshilale]

I finally had my steering damper replaced. The part took a while to come in. I immediately noticed the steering felt tighter and more responsive. I have not had an opportunity to drive it on the highway in windy conditions but when I do I will provide my feedback of that experience.

 

[saltlife4shore]

my OEM steering damper had a dead spot. I took it off and fully extended it, started to compress it manually by hand. Resistance, resistance, resistance, air pocket no resistance for about 3/4", then back to resistance.

 

[smhmpls]

I am having what I think is a similar issue. Not the same as my 18 JLU where the wind just smacks it back and forth.

On the JT it is like driving a 1960 Oldsmobile. This is like the steering linkage is connected with a bungee cord once you get above 55mph. If you get into a corner at that speed things tighten but in the middle of the steering there is so much slop/boost that it becomes very difficult to manage a straight line against the wind, or even without the wind, just dealing with the crown of the freeway.

After an hour trip on the interstate yesterday my daughter told me she felt carsick, and I know it is because of all the steering issues causing drifting and corrections.

Update: I had the TSB performed to replace the aluminum steering box with the steel one last week. Have done a couple hours on freeway/highway since and it made a significant improvement. It still drives like a truck, but it drives like a nice truck now. The steering is connected and gives you immediate feedback if you get buffed by wind or the road grade pulls the tires. Before you were in the other lane before you felt it in the steering wheel. Went from very unhappy with the truck to pretty happy with it now.

 

[JTInFlorida]

I have a 2021 Gladiator Sport with @2500 miles and zero mods. Highway driving in windy conditions is a white knuckle experience. The vehicle seems to get easily pushed around and it requires constant correction and "hands on" to keep the vehicle in the lane. I have owned 3 other Wranglers and I never had this unsettled feeling while highway driving in windy conditions. Is this common?

I have the same with my 2020 JT Overland, no mods. Been back to the dealer three times. They said there is a maintenance bulletin out and supposedly changed a gear and 4 nuts somewhere. Still very loose steering. Service manager called it road walking. There is about an inch of play in the steering wheel. My next step is to pursue the Florida lemon law process.

 

[steelponycowboy]

With all the issues I have with my 3.0 diesel, I can say that with 16K miles on it, there are not other issues and none with the steering.

I guess in some ways I am lucky and in others I'm not.

 

[HighTork]

I don't post often, more reader than writer, but if this helps someone it'll be worth it. I purchased my JTR diesel about 5 weeks ago, I began to notice the steering was very sloppy at highway speeds. Took it to the dealer who kept it for three days and told me it was normal. So, based on a recommendation from a buddy who has a 2020 Gladiator, I grabbed a torque wrench and printed out the specs he sent me for all the components under there. I discovered a lot of loose bolting, but especially the LCA's & trackbar on the front, and the trackbar & shock mounts in the rear. Voila! Steering is drastically improved and rides straight. I just installed a 1.5" TF level, Mopar 2" lift LCA's (for Caster correction) and 35"s, still drives great. Hopefully this is helpful to someone.

 

[steelponycowboy]

I've never had the steering issue but all kinds of issues with my JTR diesel. Used to get 25mpg now at 17k miles I get 15mpg. Oil temps 264 degrees after 6% 4 mile grade NOT towing with loss of power and nothing left in the pedal. All of this started at 8k miles when it went into limp mode with every light on the dash lit and the center say major exhaust failure take to dealership immediately. My DPF was 92% clogged and had not regenerated. Dealer told me all kinds of issues with diesel and NO spare parts available to fix. Told my selling dealer and they told me Eco diesels in JLs, Ram trucks have their share of issues but the JT is the worst. They can't find out why I have the other issues, not a clue. So if I continue to have issues I'll be selling it as soon at a JT 4Xe comes out. Not interested in a Hemi JT too much motor for the vehicle. Besides I don't have the need for speed any more.

 

[Radio Guy]

Ok, who has the torque specs and a maybe a pictorial of the bolts to check?

I don't post often, more reader than writer, but if this helps someone it'll be worth it. I purchased my JTR diesel about 5 weeks ago, I began to notice the steering was very sloppy at highway speeds. Took it to the dealer who kept it for three days and told me it was normal. So, based on a recommendation from a buddy who has a 2020 Gladiator, I grabbed a torque wrench and printed out the specs he sent me for all the components under there. I discovered a lot of loose bolting, but especially the LCA's & trackbar on the front, and the trackbar & shock mounts in the rear. Voila! Steering is drastically improved and rides straight. I just installed a 1.5" TF level, Mopar 2" lift LCA's (for Caster correction) and 35"s, still drives great. Hopefully this is helpful to someone.

 

[spec24]

Ok, who has the torque specs and a maybe a pictorial of the bolts to check?

Certainly would be helpful.

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