2021 Gladiator (no mods) highway steering instability

[JeepCares]

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.

Hey, BaileyW7. If you need assistance while working with the dealer, we are happy to help. Send our team a private message.

Kate
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[cshilale]

I picked up my Jeep yesterday at the dealer. They said everything checks out to spec although they ordered me a new steering damper. I have a 2021 and it has the steel steering box so they did not replace that item. The steering damper is on backorder so I will post again after that appointment. ......til then, happy Jeeping

 

[SoGlad]

I picked up my Jeep yesterday at the dealer. They said everything checks out to spec although they ordered me a new steering damper. I have a 2021 and it has the steel steering box so they did not replace that item. The steering damper is on backorder so I will post again after that appointment. ......til then, happy Jeeping

My dampener is on back order too.

 

[GeepinGeo]

Jeep has issued a technical bulletin to change out the steering gear (many call it the steering box). You have to complain and point that you would like it replaced (it is covered under warranty). Corrected a lot of the wandering on my 2020.

 

[Shaqeroni]

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

Did you replace just the front ones? Also...those that ordered a steering dampener which one did you get? What do you guys think of this set up?
https://www.quadratec.com/p/rough-country/n3-dual-steering-stabilizer-jeep-wrangler-jl-87304
Seems wicked cheap...like 1/2 price of the fox single set-up.

 

[Deleted member 28696]

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 a 2021 JTR & when I drove it home I noticed that the wind does easily push the vehicle around, it was a bit unnerving. I’ve seen on YouTube where People have tightened up the steering with a new Yeti Track bar & the wind doesn’t push it around anymore.

 

[saltlife4shore]

Did you replace just the front ones? Also...those that ordered a steering dampener which one did you get? What do you guys think of this set up?
https://www.quadratec.com/p/rough-country/n3-dual-steering-stabilizer-jeep-wrangler-jl-87304
Seems wicked cheap...like 1/2 price of the fox single set-up.

You'll need at minimum a 2.5" lift for that setup to fit.

 

[miseryshusband]

Have a 21 JTR. Wife drives it all the time. Says its less than the 18 JL Sport we had. That being said, once we hit 65 on the hiway the steer seems really light and wanders. I know the steering is fine because any speed lower that 60, the JT doesn't wander persi and I can feel every input given. Wondering if the fox 2.0 stabilizer wouldn't help this. Our suspension and tires are stock with tp around 36-38.

 

[steelponycowboy]

No issues with mine yet. Still nearly stock but mods are being done daily.

I don't think the steering issues are with the 2021. I was told the 2020 issue was with aluminum steering boxes. The 2021 got a steel steering box. I didn't check mine to see what it was but that's what I heard.

Now Jeeps with issues in the wind. Jeeps are like brick in a wind tunnel. I was in 70MPH wind gusts on I-80 a few years ago in Montana and vehicles with 5th wheels and trailers were all over the road.. Now I can't say that my JKU at the time was a model of perfect stability it wasn't overly bad if I watched my speed but gusts did move me like they moved other vehicles.

The air pressure in your tires could be an issue as others have suggested. I know how people air down and then driver him with 15 to 20 lbs of air. Just don't work. I air up to 40 for highway driving.

 

[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.

 

[WabiSabi]

Lol...you actually have to drive a gladiator. It’s not like a wrangler. The first time I hit the highway whooo I had to stop and take a break. Couldn’t even take the effort to roll down a window. At about 8k miles I got used to it. Drive hands free now

 

[Trekkor2020]

I have a 2020 Rubicon and the original aluminum steering box was frightening,
Especially in the wind. Had it replaced under the TSB with the steel box, and it is like a different vehicle now. The winds will push it around but nothing like before. I know part of the recall includes a reprogram of the “Electric Hydraulic Power Steering software”. I’m wondering if those with the new steel box that are having intermittent problems might be suffering from a computer issue? Maybe a computer flash would help?

 

[Bullhead]

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?

Every Jeep I've owned in Windy conditions has been the same. I've had 15 different models over the years and yes some are better...but I've had the same experiences. That is a Jeep thing!

 

[MacJTCanada]

I'm still having wandering issues and my dealer did a TSB. Ita actually worse now than it was before. So question, is the "steering gear" the same as the steering box replacement to a steel one? Or did I get shamed and should go to a diffrent dealer to get the proper TSB done?

 

[Dave from Maine]

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?

Yup, same here on my 2021 JT. Wind is the major culprit since a box is not aerodynamic. One thing I have learned is that you tend to over correct when you drive. I learned this from running trawlers and my JT handles like one. Try holding steady and you may notice it will bob and weave a little but still stay between the lines. Correct only when it leans over too much and you may find that constant corrections are not necessary. It is the nature of the beast having owned other Jeeps.

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