2022 gladiator death wobble

[Lunentucker]

The Metalcloak brace is the way to go.
Look at how it mounts to the cross member. Far superior design.

Sponsored

 

[Jteakus]

Or if you have some extra dollars contact Preston at PSC Motorsports about one of their Big Bore steering boxes. Far superior to the factory box.

 

[Burghardphotography]

The Metalcloak brace is the way to go.
Look at how it mounts to the cross member. Far superior design.

I’ve posted about it before, but just fyi, I’m currently in contact Metalcloak to figure out what went wrong, but after my installer triple checked his work, we ended up taking the Metalcloak sector shaft brace off. It was binding and creaking in the center of the steering wheels range of motion. Found metal shavings upon removal. I’ll update everyone about it in its relevant thread when it’s resolved.

I like the concept of this brace a ton, and desperately want it to work. But so far they haven’t had any luck at the shop.

 

[Lunentucker]

I’ve posted about it before, but just fyi, I’m currently in contact Metalcloak to figure out what went wrong, but after my installer triple checked his work, we ended up taking the Metalcloak sector shaft brace off. It was binding and creaking in the center of the steering wheels range of motion. Found metal shavings upon removal. I’ll update everyone about it in its relevant thread when it’s resolved.

I like the concept of this brace a ton, and desperately want it to work. But so far they haven’t had any luck at the shop.

I saw your earlier post and have been watching mine closely. So far it looks the same as it did the day I installed it. Probably about 300 miles on it, so it's still new, but no signs of that kind of trouble yet.

 

[Burghardphotography]

I saw your earlier post and have been watching mine closely. So far it looks the same as it did the day I installed it. Probably about 300 miles on it, so it's still new, but no signs of that kind of trouble yet.

Glad to hear it’s working out for you, that gives me some hope. I don’t recall are you gas or diesel? Instructions vary slightly depending.

 

[Lunentucker]

Glad to hear it’s working out for you, that gives me some hope. I don’t recall are you gas or diesel? Instructions vary slightly depending.

Mine is gas. Mojave.
I watched a Youtube of a guy really messing one up installing it, so having seen everything he did wrong sure helped me to get it right.

Here's the video.
I didn't see "Wallering out the holes a little bit" in the @Metalcloak instructions ?‍

 

[Jteakus]

I also have the MC steering brace on my JT Rubi Diesel. No binding on mine. The difference between the diesel and the gasser is where the spacer goes. I was concerned about binding and a lack of return to center but all is good. I will most probably end up with a PSC kit on my JT later but for now the brace is a good crutch.

 

[Burghardphotography]

I also have the MC steering brace on my JT Rubi Diesel. No binding on mine. The difference between the diesel and the gasser is where the spacer goes. I was concerned about binding and a lack of return to center but all is good. I will most probably end up with a PSC kit on my JT later but for now the brace is a good crutch.

When I looked over the instructions, I surely thought that difference is where we went wrong, but we got the spacer location correct as well.

 

[Darkspeed]

I did this upgrade to remove tolerance from the oversized track bar hole as well as looked at excessive tolerance on other components. Upsized a few bolts with some precision drill bits. Yes it’s super ocd.

https://steersmarts.com/products/yeti-xd-9-16th-track-bar-bolt-upgrade-kit

 

[Jteakus]

How tight did you go on the bolt that snugs the ring around the bushing? I just gave it a little cinch. Where did it look like the metal shavings came from, the output shaft? If the holes drilled are off it could easily cause a bind. They were a pain to drill. I stepped them up all the way from 1/4".

 

[Buckeye Jeeper]

The Metalcloak brace is the way to go.
Look at how it mounts to the cross member. Far superior design.

Yes it does mount to the cross member and seems solid. But the steer smarts also is a backbone support for the track bar brace.

 

[Darkspeed]

Yes it does mount to the cross member and seems solid. But the steer smarts also is a backbone support for the track bar brace.

Steersmarts unit reduces the frame flex from both the track bar and the steering box as well as changing the output shaft from single shear to double shear.

 

[Jteakus]

I am 99.5% sure the box brace is the solution to your problem.

 

[Darkspeed]

This was my list for big tires in hopes that it would remain nargle free on the highway.

Apex 2.5 ton tierod and draglink
Steersmarts sector shaft brace
Steersmarts front and rear track bar
American Iron ball joint delete
Rancho geometry brackets
Exact Center centering unit
Front Axel truss kit - not yet installed
caster -7.3
toe in -0.2

Drives 200% better than when i picked it up and i can cruise at 80 without constantly worrying about loosing control.

All of this is insane to have to put on a new vehicle but i dont build things that take out minivans of kids on the highway.

 

[flipmcgee]

My dealership was actually able to replicate it right away within the first half mile of the dealership ?. He said yup...it’s definitely death wobble ! ?

Just an update... the dealership replaced the steering stabilizer and said they found the old unit was leaking. I drove my usual route home immediately afterward and it has made no difference at all. I've read almost every post on this I can find and there just doesn't seem to be any know solution which is amazing. For some replacingbthe stabilizer fixes it some just torque everytging, some have a signle bad tire or rim that wouldnt balance. So I am headed down the same path as so many before me wondering if this will ever be fixed now. It was a great car for 9k miles and now I dread driving it. Certainly has halted all my plans for buying any other accessories until it's fixed.

Sponsored