After Driver's Side Impact, Now Pulls to the Right After Repairs

[steveorama]

As the title states, I just got my '21 JTO back from the shop the Friday before Thanksgiving after almost 4 months (feel free to check out that lengthy story here https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/i-got-t-boned-today.71994/). Since I don't have a lot of faith in the shop in getting this actually figured out. I figured I would reach out to those of you more versed in this than myself.

The short version, I took a direct hit in the driver's side front wheel going through an intersection the first week of August. Very little cosmetic damage, but the shop ultimately determined I needed a new front axle, sway bar, wheel, tire, and left steering knuckle. After they tried to give it back and I pointed out the misaligned body lines, they then further discovered the bent frame and it was also replaced. Now that I have it back, this pull is driving me nuts. It's not a strong pull, but when I let go of the wheel for a moment it definitely pulls to the right regardless of lane in the road and with the steering wheel centered. It also takes almost a continuous slight correction to the left to keep it tracking straight otherwise. Hitting the brake hard also does not make an impact on the pull to the right.

For some baseline, I took some quick driveway measurements and the toe-in appears to be set within spec and it is at 1/8". I also did some quick measurements to see if the front and rear axles are centered and the best I can tell using the same points on either side, is that they are. I haven't crawled under and gotten squared measurements though. I additionally removed my aftermarket SS to test and it maybe improved a very small difference going down the road without. So what's next? Any better ideas on what I should check? My thoughts as the frame and front axle were replaced, is maybe control arms are damaged or weren't torqued down with the vehicle weight on them. Maybe a damaged tie rod, drag link, or track bar?

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[dylanhack]

As the title states, I just got my '21 JTO back from the shop the Friday before Thanksgiving after almost 4 months (feel free to check out that lengthy story here https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/i-got-t-boned-today.71994/). Since I don't have a lot of faith in the shop in getting this actually figured out. I figured I would reach out to those of you more versed in this than myself.

The short version, I took a direct hit in the driver's side front wheel going through an intersection the first week of August. Very little cosmetic damage, but the shop ultimately determined I needed a new front axle, sway bar, wheel, tire, and left steering knuckle. After they tried to give it back and I pointed out the misaligned body lines, they then further discovered the bent frame and it was also replaced. Now that I have it back, this pull is driving me nuts. It's not a strong pull, but when I let go of the wheel for a moment it definitely pulls to the right regardless of lane in the road and with the steering wheel centered. It also takes almost a continuous slight correction to the left to keep it tracking straight otherwise. Hitting the brake hard also does not make an impact on the pull to the right.

For some baseline, I took some quick driveway measurements and the toe-in appears to be set within spec and it is at 1/8". I also did some quick measurements to see if the front and rear axles are centered and the best I can tell using the same points on either side, is that they are. I haven't crawled under and gotten squared measurements though. I additionally removed my aftermarket SS to test and it maybe improved a very small difference going down the road without. So what's next? Any better ideas on what I should check? My thoughts as the frame and front axle were replaced, is maybe control arms are damaged or weren't torqued down with the vehicle weight on them. Maybe a damaged tie rod, drag link, or track bar?

So, believe it or not, I had the exact same symptoms, but on a brand new 13-mile 2023 Gladiator Rubicon that I just bought in October. But because I don't trust the dealership I bought it from, I took it to my long-time trusted alignment shop and they determined that my front had a cross-camber, both front wheels we slanted right at different degrees. They put in camber bushings and that fixed it. Don't know why it came from the factory that way, but that's what caused the slight pull to the right. It also needed a toe alignment. All in all, $376, but well worth it and an easy fix without dealer headaches.

 

[steveorama]

On a hunch that maybe they torqued down the LCA bolts with the Jeep still on the lift, I loosened my LCA bolts and then retorqued with the weight of the vehicle on the ground. It drives straight as an arrow now!

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