Sponsored

2021 Gladiator (no mods) highway steering instability

JeepCares

Well-Known Member
First Name
JeepCares
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
1,541
Reaction score
902
Location
Auburn Hills, MI
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Family
Occupation
Customer Care
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
Jeep Cares
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
cshilale

cshilale

Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Feb 23, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
14
Reaction score
9
Location
Westbrook, ME USA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport
Occupation
Operation Manager
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

Active Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
42
Reaction score
51
Location
48359
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Sport S
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

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
22
Reaction score
6
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
JT, JKU, XJ, YJ, JKU
Occupation
Engineer
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

Well-Known Member
First Name
Daniel
Joined
Feb 15, 2021
Threads
6
Messages
180
Reaction score
177
Location
New Hampshire
Website
www.instagram.com
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Gladiator & 2021 Jeep JL Wrangler
Occupation
Retired LEO

Sponsored

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

Well-Known Member
First Name
Anthony
Joined
Mar 11, 2021
Threads
16
Messages
107
Reaction score
32
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Overland
First Name
Bryan
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
13
Reaction score
17
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon
Occupation
Technical Writer
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

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Feb 28, 2020
Threads
6
Messages
584
Reaction score
491
Location
Mesa, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2016 JKU Rubicon HR, 2017 Cherokee, 2021 JTR
Occupation
Retired Peace Officer
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

Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Mar 17, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
8
Reaction score
5
Location
Minneapolis
Vehicle(s)
20 JT Rubicon
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.
 

Sponsored

WabiSabi

Member
First Name
Amber
Joined
Mar 3, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
12
Reaction score
12
Location
East Texas
Vehicle(s)
JT Mojave
Occupation
Financial Advisor
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

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
59
Reaction score
124
Location
McKinney Texas
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Rubicon
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

Member
First Name
Charlie
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
5
Reaction score
5
Location
Missouri
Vehicle(s)
2021 Chrysler MV Pinnacle, 2021 Jeep JT Gladiator
Occupation
Retired
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

Active Member
First Name
Mac
Joined
Dec 28, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
38
Reaction score
24
Location
Calgary
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Gladiator Rubi
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?
 
First Name
Dave
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
22
Reaction score
22
Location
Shirley, Maine
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Gladiator
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.
Sponsored

 
 







Top