2021 Gladiator (no mods) highway steering instability

[MacJTCanada]

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.

Noted thanks! Doesn't bother me too much, got used to that same feeling of "unsteadyness" driving in northern alberta. Just want to make sure I get all the free repairs/fixes I can so I can make this thing last haha

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[Trekkor2020]

Noted thanks! Doesn't bother me too much, got used to that same feeling of "unsteadyness" driving in northern alberta. Just want to make sure I get all the free repairs/fixes I can so I can make this thing last haha

 

[Trekkor2020]

I am attaching a picture of my 2020 Rubicon aluminum steering box/gear, part # 68418449AE. It was replaced with a black steel box, part # 68507569AA. This was done back in October 2020.
Our JT now drives like our JK Unlimited did. It really is a night and day difference from the original aluminum box. Also, I attached a write up about how the power steering system now works. It is controlled by software. I keep thinking that the "wandering and darting" we experienced originally might have been due to software causing the electric motor steering pump to over compensate in some way. Or to be too slow to respond to inputs since it only works when you are steering.
This is from the JL forum.
Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering

The goal of an electro-hydraulic power steering system (EHPS) is to combine the advantages of both hydraulic power steering and electric power steering -- natural steering feel and improved fuel efficiency.

The difference between EHPS and hydraulic steering lies in how the hydraulic pressure is generated. Where traditional hydraulic systems generate pressure with a belt-driven pump, EHPS use electric motors.

With EHPS, improved fuel efficiency can be achieved by activating the steering motor only when the driver is steering. Also, the system draws power from an electric motor and not the engine directly.

Another added advantage to EHPS over hydraulic system is that the electric motor is operated and controlled by the ECU unit which controls the motor very precisely by accurately monitoring the steering force, vehicle speed and steering angle. This advantage could potentially have a side benefit to JL/JLU Wrangler owners who upsize their tires. On past Wranglers, the larger the tire size upgrade, the more difficult and less responsive the steering became. With an adaptive ECU controlling the steering motor's level of power assist however, it's possible that the system may help mitigate against the negative steering characteristics from upsizing tires.

 

[Punisher1-1]

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.

I did, but only because mine got dented up. I went with the fox, but there wasn’t that much of a difference. I’m still on the aluminum steering box, drives perfect.

 

[boltnut]

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?

Same here. TSB done and still as bad as it ever was. Feel really disappointed and let down. Haven't felt like dealing with it. I already had taken it in before the TSB was available and they found no issues, so why should I bring it back? Maybe I'll try another dealership. I called several in the beginning(took delivery a year ago) and was not impressed with any of what the local service departments had to say so I haven't felt like wasting my time. I'm thinking of tightening the steering gear myself and see if that make a difference. To answer your question, yes the steering gear is the same as the steering box.
I really like everything else about this truck but it is such a bummer, every time I drive it, to have to constantly make corrections to keep it in my lane.

 

[mep4wd]

Our Jeep is a Rubicon, stock, 33 inch tires. It took me about a month to get used to the "jeep drift". Now I make small corrections and just deal with it. That said I recently took a trip through a mountain/plains/desert region of Oregon at a time when it was very windy. The drift was significantly magnified by the wind. It took a little more conscious effort at times, but I never felt stressed or threatened by it. At the time of this event I had about 5K miles of experience with it.

When it was my wife's turn to drive it was a different story. Since our Jeep is relatively new she had only about 200 miles of experience driving it. For her it was a stressful, white knuckles experience requiring a high degree of focus.

I guess it takes some time to get used to the vehicle. Lift and big tires could also serve to magnify the drift effect.

 

[boltnut]

Our Jeep is a Rubicon, stock, 33 inch tires. It took me about a month to get used to the "jeep drift". Now I make small corrections and just deal with it. That said I recently took a trip through a mountain/plains/desert region of Oregon at a time when it was very windy. The drift was significantly magnified by the wind. It took a little more conscious effort at times, but I never felt stressed or threatened by it. At the time of this event I had about 5K miles of experience with it.

When it was my wife's turn to drive it was a different story. Since our Jeep is relatively new she had only about 200 miles of experience driving it. For her it was a stressful, white knuckles experience requiring a high degree of focus.

I guess it takes some time to get used to the vehicle. Lift and big tires could also serve to magnify the drift effect.

I could see just taking it as a "Jeep thing" and getting used to it, except so many experienced Jeep owners say that this is not the case. Also a lot of JT owners say theirs steers like any other truck. IDK, it does make sense for a solid front axle to have some wander to it. I don't really feel like mine is dangerous at this point, just annoying.

 

[saltlife4shore]

Just yesterday I installed the FOX 2.0 Performance Series IFP Steering Stabilizers Part #: 985-24-173

It has made the steering firmer. I've driven about 100 miles on it and noticed that I haven't had to do any steering overcorrection when going around turns. def better at holding a line. Haven't driven in any heavy cross winds yet though.

 

[Toyfrog]

Just yesterday I installed the FOX 2.0 Performance Series IFP Steering Stabilizers Part #: 985-24-173

It has made the steering firmer. I've driven about 100 miles on it and noticed that I haven't had to do any steering overcorrection when going around turns. def better at holding a line. Haven't driven in any heavy cross winds yet though.

Is it a direct replacement? I wonder if changing it would void the warranty on any of the front end stuff?

 

[JCHGlad]

Is it a direct replacement? I wonder if changing it would void the warranty on any of the front end stuff?

Yes and no it won’t, it’s a huge improvement and I had zero problems with steering in the first place, no jeep drift etc, my streering was perfect, now it’s just even better.

 

[MrASS00]

Steering issues with my 2020 jeep gladiator. Rubi.
I noticed it right off the bat. Which started an entire process. First mopar stabilizer tightened steering but still issue. Was excited about the TSB and the did it no improvement. After multiple visits turns out the dealership only loaded the software and that’s when I started pushing for gear. I had to get jeep wave involved and finally got the gear replaced which was on back order. I won’t take it to that dealer anymore. I would also say getting jeep wave involved was the way I got it done. Wish I just went somewhere else.

I would say got some improvement but what improved things was the synergy brace which to me shouldn’t have to do to a new vehicle with an after market part. I wasn’t aware of steel or aluminum box until this thread.

it’s not perfect but best it’s ever been. I don’t feel like it’s a safety Issue anymore the looseness had Been there from the start. ButI put on 35, and 2” mopar lift.

hope that helps at all

 

[JeepCares]

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

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.

Same here. TSB done and still as bad as it ever was. Feel really disappointed and let down. Haven't felt like dealing with it. I already had taken it in before the TSB was available and they found no issues, so why should I bring it back? Maybe I'll try another dealership. I called several in the beginning(took delivery a year ago) and was not impressed with any of what the local service departments had to say so I haven't felt like wasting my time. I'm thinking of tightening the steering gear myself and see if that make a difference. To answer your question, yes the steering gear is the same as the steering box.
I really like everything else about this truck but it is such a bummer, every time I drive it, to have to constantly make corrections to keep it in my lane.

Hi again! Wanted to pop back in and offer my assistance if anyone needs it. Our team will be in private message for those needing help while working with the dealer.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[SoGlad]

Hi again! Wanted to pop back in and offer my assistance if anyone needs it. Our team will be in private message for those needing help while working with the dealer.

Kate
Jeep Cares

Is there a timeframe to have dampeners? My dealer says my order moved from arrival last week to arrival unknown.

 

[Gossamer]

sme here-- wind just makes it worse. mine has the tsb done (box replaced)
still wanders---so am following this thread...

Same here. TSB done, new box, and I pray for non-windy days to enjoy a drive

 

[Gossamer]

Yes and no it won’t, it’s a huge improvement and I had zero problems with steering in the first place, no jeep drift etc, my streering was perfect, now it’s just even better.

Dang, better than perfect? You're lucky.

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