2021 Gladiator (no mods) highway steering instability

[Zilla]

That is how my wife describes driving the truck one the freeway or at highway higher speeds. She won't drive it anymore other than just local city.

I'm betting that if you ease down on the front tire pressure she's gonna like it a lot better.

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[Toyfrog]

Got a 2021 Mojave and have the same issues in cross winds, just figured it was because I was driving a shoe box?

 

[BAT]

I'm betting that if you ease down on the front tire pressure she's gonna like it a lot better.

Am already running at low tire pressure. As soon as I drove it home last year from the dealership I dropped the tires to 36 and have been running between 34-37 depending on the temperature around here. It helped a lot but it did not stop the wandering of the truck when at highway/freeway speeds. I have gotten used to it I suppose but cannot take my eyes away or stop making constant changes and imputs otherwise I will be in a retaining wall, the other lane or hitting someone. That is why she won't drive it on the interstate or toll roads. The dealership recently agreed to change the steering box for me and I am about to bring it in for 10,000 mile oil change. Will discuss it again with them and hope they don't make things worse. Might also throw on an upgraded steering stabilizer

 

[BAT]

Got a 2021 Mojave and have the same issues in cross winds, just figured it was because I was driving a shoe box?

Hell yea in crosswinds your gonna get tossed around.

 

[Rubiwoo]

Am already running at low tire pressure. As soon as I drove it home last year from the dealership I dropped the tires to 36 and have been running between 34-37 depending on the temperature around here. It helped a lot but it did not stop the wandering of the truck when at highway/freeway speeds. I have gotten used to it I suppose but cannot take my eyes away or stop making constant changes and imputs otherwise I will be in a retaining wall, the other lane or hitting someone. That is why she won't drive it on the interstate or toll roads. The dealership recently agreed to change the steering box for me and I am about to bring it in for 10,000 mile oil change. Will discuss it again with them and hope they don't make things worse. Might also throw on an upgraded steering stabilizer

my 2020 wandered. Steering box resolved that and still run 36 psi. Drove from California to Mexico. Drove great even with high winds.

 

[SteveInOrlando]

I have an 80th Anniversary (basically an Overland with cloth seats) and it definitely “wanders” at highway speeds, even without wind - I like the truck, but only have a local commute - I would not want to drive it on any lengthy road trips.

Mine was twitchy before the steering box replacement and with the tires at 40PSI.

It is nice handling with the 285/70R17 falken AT3s at 34PSI and the steering box replaced with recalibration. You definitely notice cross winds. This thing is just boxy, you will feel cross winds. There is no fix for Aerodynamics. Take the bad with the good.

 

[saltlife4shore]

My 21 JT does the same in cross winds. It gets push around pretty good. I've noticed that having some weight 60-80lbs in the bed helps, feels a little more planted. My 2017 JKU didn't get blown around as much as this JT

 

[Dblaron]

Do a chalk test on your tires. Pressure is too high. The oem pressure is for fuel economy not ride quality. Lowered mine down and made a huge difference.

 

[BaileyW7]

I’m sure I could search for an answer but what is the conversation to get the dealer to replace the steering box? Mine wanders worse than my 12000 pound camper on the freeway.

 

[ttn333]

Sounds like you need a new lift and 37s j/k. My 21 JTR felt squirrelly straight from the dealer. Chercked pressure and they were at around 42 psi. Installed Clayton Overland lift 3 days later then added 37s and problem solved. I'm running at 31-33 psi and feels perfecty comfortable doing 80 mph on the highway. Ony caveat, my mpg is at 13.5.

 

[rm1515]

I replaced my track bar with the Steer Smarts Yeti and no more being pushed around by the wind.

Why does this help? Help me understand this. Thanks!

 

[saltlife4shore]

I don't think a track bar would help you any. A track bar is used to recenter the axel under the Jeep after a lift is installed. The most the dealer will do is to make sure all your steering components are torqued correctly, alignment is within spec, that your pitman arm nut is not loose. You already have a steering damper installed from the factory (some say it's to aggressive) but that's about all. Wind sucks, the truck is light, and like someone said built like a shoe box.

My overland has a 38psi tire setting, seemed a bit high for me. I went down to 35 but mainly because I'm running an "E" rated tire. I still didn't notice much difference when the wind is blowing sideways.

If you feel like you have some under steer you can always give the adjustment screw on top of the steering box 1/8th turn to see if that helps. Just do an 1/8th. Tightening to much can give you oversteer and could possible lead to steering box failure.

 

[akrkwk310]

Thought 2021 comes with steering box installed from the factory, that was the whole reason why
I ordered 2021 instead. I hate steering issues

 

[Punisher1-1]

Why does this help? Help me understand this. Thanks!

I’m not an expert by any means, but the fact that the Steer Smarts track bar is solid and weighs 3 times the factory, plays a roll. It helps keep the lateral sway minimized since it centers the axle, attaching to the frame and axle. That was the reason I upgraded, but it was a nice surprise. I installed the same on my girlfriends JL and hers is doing much better in the wind as well.

 

[JeepCares]

I just reported it to Jeep myself.
Honestly, this Gladi is my first Jeep and I purposely test drove it on the highway for about 30 minutes before buying to avoid the issue with the Jeep I chose.

I've had only a handful of incidence where the Jeep pretty much felt like the opposing front and rear brakes would trade off engaging. That's the best way to describe the "major" issue I was having, on the highway at least.

It happened stock, stock with a trailer (which I though the U-haul trailer caused it) and with 37s (no suspension mods.

It randomly happens a as I approach speed and nothing I do stops it until I get below 30-ish mph, but it you accelerate again, there is goes.

It'll stop almost as fast as it comes on an not happen again for awhile.

I've checked wheels, all suspension and steering, all good, all tight.

I recently saw a video about the new steering box made of steel using all equal length steel bolts (instead of the alum. body box with 2 pair of matching alum. bolts.) and though, hmmm...

Now, it makes a little more sense. If something just so slightly upsets (causes flex) in the original steering box, I see how the alum. might not be able to not flex.

I hope to have this fixed in 2021 sometime, but seeing how I'm going on 6 months of waiting for a back-glass and 6 months on the locker-light issue, I don't have too much hope right now.

The dealership just called me and asked to bring it in to look it over. He asked me if I have ever driven/owned other Jeeps before and I told him YES, and NEVER had any experience like this before with any of them. My appt is for Thursday this week so I will update the post with the response.

I have an 80th Anniversary (basically an Overland with cloth seats) and it definitely “wanders” at highway speeds, even without wind - I like the truck, but only have a local commute - I would not want to drive it on any lengthy road trips.

Hello all!

I wanted to grab a few posts and offer assistance while you all are at the dealer for repairs to your vehicles! If so, please separately private message our team and provide more details.

Thanks!
Kate
Jeep Cares

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