2023 jeep Gladiator rubicon pulls left

[Gren71]

COULD be a poorly cycled steering damper....which I know seems dumb. But its a correction you can make on your own.

Take your jt to a parking lot with some room and at low speed turn the wheel to full lock to the left..do a full circle. Then turn the wheel to full lock to the right...do an entire circle. Repeat until you've done full lock three or four times on each side.

If this does fix it that at least you tried.

IF you get a new after market, or factory replacement, stabilizer id suggest repeating this process. I had a mess of issues with pulls and pushes until I read that process on this forum and did it my self.

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[MattAB]

COULD be a poorly cycled steering damper....which I know seems dumb. But its a correction you can make on your own.

Take your jt to a parking lot with some room and at low speed turn the wheel to full lock to the left..do a full circle. Then turn the wheel to full lock to the right...do an entire circle. Repeat until you've done full lock three or four times on each side.

If this does fix it that at least you tried.

IF you get a new after market, or factory replacement, stabilizer id suggest repeating this process. I had a mess of issues with pulls and pushes until I read that process on this forum and did it my self.

I Will give this a try. Thank you!

 

[gouacats]

COULD be a poorly cycled steering damper....which I know seems dumb. But its a correction you can make on your own.

Take your jt to a parking lot with some room and at low speed turn the wheel to full lock to the left..do a full circle. Then turn the wheel to full lock to the right...do an entire circle. Repeat until you've done full lock three or four times on each side.

If this does fix it that at least you tried.

IF you get a new after market, or factory replacement, stabilizer id suggest repeating this process. I had a mess of issues with pulls and pushes until I read that process on this forum and did it my self.

I've never heard of this! I'm going to give it a shot on my JK that has been pulling a bit left since I put a new steering stabilizer on.

 

[AnmiP]

TLDR, check torque on ALL steering components/ bolts / nuts for improved steering: no matter how new the rig is.

I experienced the same as y'all on my 2022 Mojave. Service department claimed steer ahead was 1 deg off, and hoped that changing two poorly road force balancing tires would help. Made zero difference. After their inability (or failure to attempt) to fix the issues over 80 days at ther lot, I searched the forums (including this thread), and decided to check torque specs on the steering components (@ less than 700 miles). Result:
-3 of 4 steering gear box bolts not to spec (loose)
-minimum of 2 other nuts loose. Ball joint and tie rod or drag link (can't remember which). Track bar bolt may have also been loose, can't remember.

Upon discovering this I took it back to the service department and directed they check all steering components for proper torqing. I have little faith they did as the work order say "inspected suspension components" so, IDK.

Torquing the bolts to factory spec dramatic improved the steering and removed 70-80% of the strong left pull! I removed the steering stabilizer, which reduced the pull another 10%ish. I plan to install a through shaft neutral steering stabilizer to see if I can retain the 10% improvement.

Still doesn't want to track straight (harder to maintain lane that my 2007 Jk w/ lift, psc big bore, & 230,000 miles), but it is much better.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I took it back to the service department and directed they check all steering components for proper torqing. I have little faith they did as the work order say "inspected suspension components" so, IDK.

That's pretty much all they ever write down. Completing the "paperwork" is seldom done in any detail. Finish and move on to the next job.
Any time I've talked about something that could be fixed with a connection fix or checking torque or whatever, the work order simply says "inspect". Last time they inspected my JT's wiring they resolved weird CANbus issues - I guess "inspecting" something has a lot of power.

 

[AnmiP]

That's pretty much all they ever write down. Completing the "paperwork" is seldom done in any detail. Finish and move on to the next job.
Any time I've talked about something that could be fixed with a connection fix or checking torque or whatever, the work order simply says "inspect". Last time they inspected my JT's wiring they resolved weird CANbus issues - I guess "inspecting" something has a lot of power.

That makes a lot of sense. I liked "inspecting something has a lot of power." I'll have to remember that one. I only doubt due to my past expiriances with multiple Jeep service departments where they unfortunately just outright lie to me and on the work orders. I realize that not all service departments are that way. For example, Adams Jeep in Aberdeen, MD is an awesome service department, I just can't drive over a hour north on a regular basis. They seem to be the exception to the rule, as every Jeep dept near my residence has lied to me multiple times. Some, almost comically.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That makes a lot of sense. I liked "inspecting something has a lot of power." I'll have to remember that one. I only doubt due to my past expiriances with multiple Jeep service departments where they unfortunately just outright lie to me and on the work orders. I realize that not all service departments are that way. For example, Adams Jeep in Aberdeen, MD is an awesome service department, I just can't drive over a hour north on a regular basis. They seem to be the exception to the rule, as every Jeep dept near my residence has lied to me multiple times. Some, almost comically.

Technically speaking - "inspecting" doesn't cover what some states say must be included on each repair order/invoice but it apparently works for most, or the state doesn't have the ability to police every time it's not detailed.
I've gotten invoices that said "inspected" and I've gotten them with good detail - from the same shop.

This is the detail I like - and I keep records of everything I do and what any shop does. If I see any related issues in the future, anyone can look at this and easily see just what was done and what documents were referred to. This tech deserves kudos.

 

[Sandevino]

Here is mine - tracks straight down the road.

Have you rotated your tires?

 

[AnmiP]

I

Here is mine - tracks straight down the road.

Have you rotated your tires?

The service department told me they were rotated. However...
I'm not sure if the tires were rotated due to the work orders not matching what they told me in person or on the phone (both of which differed from what the service department told the Jeep Cares rep).
The best I can tell from the work orders is that they replaced two tires to try and remedy the steering pulling left during the first two visits (recorded on one work order, 80 days at dealer), and no repair attempted / annotated on the third visit other than "inspected suspension components" (29 days at service department).
The only improvement to the steering was completed by me by torquing bolts to factory spec. (They did replace the engine during the first 80 days).

In fairness to the dealership, they said they completed the third trip diagnosis of everything "operating as designed" in 23 days; they just didn't bother to call me to let me know, or answer my calls. I took an Uber and walked into service on day 29 to determine the status of the Gladiator.

I realize that I should take it to a tire and alignment specific shop, but after 118ish days at the service department, I don't have a plethora of time available to do so.

**Edited for spelling

 

[IanNubbit]

For a straight axle front and rear vehicle to pull left or right stock, something would have to be very bent (unlikely judging by the alignment), rolling resistance from left to right deferring heavily (dragging brakes or parking brakes, externally different tire pressures left to right, or something like hub bearings being super stiff or light.), or more likely in this case, the steering damper wanting to "push/pull" the tie rod one direction or the other. Stock dampers on these trucks just simply suck. My advise, because it's easy, remove the damper, drive down the road at like 50 mph, see if it want to pull. If it's gone, pretty easy to see it's the damper, put it back in and go to a dealer that will listen to you when you say it needs a damper, there's like 5 different service bulletins on the damper now along with an warranty extension on most years for them.

 

[AnmiP]

For a straight axle front and rear vehicle to pull left or right stock, something would have to be very bent (unlikely judging by the alignment), rolling resistance from left to right deferring heavily (dragging brakes or parking brakes, externally different tire pressures left to right, or something like hub bearings being super stiff or light.), or more likely in this case, the steering damper wanting to "push/pull" the tie rod one direction or the other. Stock dampers on these trucks just simply suck. My advise, because it's easy, remove the damper, drive down the road at like 50 mph, see if it want to pull. If it's gone, pretty easy to see it's the damper, put it back in and go to a dealer that will listen to you when you say it needs a damper, there's like 5 different service bulletins on the damper now along with an warranty extension on most years for them.

I very much concur with your steering assessments. My 2007 JK expirianced all those symptoms and causes of steering issues over its lifetime.

One year had to replace a brake caliper that kept sticking. That one was easy to diagnose; strong pull right on highway, touched each wheel / hub upon reaching destination. The one that blisters your hand with grilling level heat is the culprit ?

Another year I bent the front tie rod and partially stripped the tie rod adjuster (long embarrassing story). Replaced tie rod and drag link with the JK specific Moog kit (much better quality than I expected).

Eventually added an OME stabilizer & PSC Big bore gearbox (massive improvement). With 230000+ miles, lift, etc, it steers almost as good as it did new.

On the Gladiator the pull was evident upon driving home from delivery, so I would hope nothing was bent from the factory. Many important bolts & nuts were not torqued to factory spec, which appears to be the greatest factor in my left pull and shitty tracking. I did remove the steering damper, as you suggested. It improved the steering, but not as much as hoped. I plan to install a through shaft stabilizer to see if it is a permanent improvement.

On a related note to your comments, my dealer appears to have attempted to "fix" the steering issues by adjusting the front tire pressures... 36 on one side and upper 40's on the other ? (I verified that tire pressures were equal at stock pressure before dropping it off with them). It did help with the pull, but probably not an advisable long term solution.

I do find it baffling how the community on this (and the Wrangler) forum are able to figure out these intricacies, while the manufacturer still seems baffled at producing new vehicles w/o the issues. ?

 

[Phraf]

My update after picking up my 2022 Gladiator from the dealer yesterday with the same issue. They did the alignment but said it was in spec except for the Steer Ahead angle was off just a touch but that wouldn't have caused pulling to the left. They did find that the ball joints were loose (only 2000 miles on the truck). They said they were not tightened at the factory. (that's scary). It is riding much better! I didn't notice it pulling to the left on a 7 mile trip on the highway home. I also noticed that the truck isn't "drifting" right and left as much as it was. I know that is a common "Jeep" thing but it was really bad and the number one thing I didn't like about my Jeep. It's my first Jeep and I just thought that was the way they drove. I was pleasantly surprised to have that issue much less prevalent.

MattAB- Have they checked your ball joints? I also noticed your alignment sheet in the OP it says 2021 Gladiator JT Rubicon. Mine says 2022-2023. I wonder if Jeep has changed their alignment specs?? I have very different numbers on my sheet then yours.

How are you liking Foss motors? Did you buy it there?

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