Gladiator walks when you hit bumps.

[Jeeperjamie]

Either way tell them you want the steering box replaced. If you want the steel one and it's under warranty still and your having a steering issue they got to replace it. They should offer you a list to look over and if you say you got one thing happening on that list then they are supposed to order the part. Sounds like you have at least one thing on the list going on. Just make sure you put the stock steering stabilizer back on if you have a aftermarket one because that will normally be what they try to say the issue is.

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[DailyMoparGuy]

My JT hopped so hard a while back on the highway that the ABS kicked in lmao. I was going like 75 mph in a very slight curve in the road. The bump I hit was huge as well…my rear end was legit swinging ?. It got under control very quickly though and it hasn’t happened since then.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I run my Sport S at about 34 psi and it is great. Never had a problem with this a jumpy back.

 

[Lunentucker]

Everyone is trying to suggest what's wrong with your Jeep and how to fix it. Try this: Go for the same drive in someone's Super Duty or other truck with solid front and rear axles. I'll bet that you see/feel the same behavior because it's a function of the vehicles have 2 SOLID AXLES. Very common to them all.

I lost count how many times I was told that, but I'm glad I didn't accept it.
I remembered my 1976 Scottsdale Stepside with two solid axles, 4 inch lift, on 37's, driving and handling great back in the day. So I knew what my JT was doing in 2022, with all of the advancements made in the last 4 decades, wasn't normal and it wasn't a "Jeep thing".

 

[Rusty PW]

I lost count how many times I was told that, but I'm glad I didn't accept it.
I remembered my 1976 Scottsdale Stepside with two solid axles, 4 inch lift, on 37's, driving and handling great back in the day. So I knew what my JT was doing in 2022, with all of the advancements made in the last 4 decades, wasn't normal and it wasn't a "Jeep thing".

My '08 Power Wagon rode great even before I put the custom valved King shocks on it. Drove like it was on rails.

 

[dcmdon]

Everyone is trying to suggest what's wrong with your Jeep and how to fix it. Try this: Go for the same drive in someone's Super Duty or other truck with solid front and rear axles. I'll bet that you see/feel the same behavior because it's a function of the vehicles have 2 SOLID AXLES. Very common to them all.

I'm still trying to understand what is happening.

Steering box impacts drifting and general steering lack of precision. It has nothing to do with "walking when you hit a bump".

If its the back end stepping out, then its probably suspension tuning that is less than ideal.

If its the front then it gets much more complicated.

But the OP hasn't given a follow up description of that the problem is that is really explicit.

 

[Mayhem 6]

The updated steering gear makes a noticeable difference, but there will always be a degree of bump steer on a solid front axle vehicle.

 

[Labswine]

Mine, a 2020 Overland (built in 6/2019) does it on occasion. Only on certain kinds of bumps and between 45 and 55 mph. My tires are at 38 psi. I had a '93 Silverado 4x4 that would occasionally do the same thing.

My gut feeling is that when the rear goes over some consecutive bumps that are really close together, the rear suspension can't compensate quick enough (plus the lighter ass end of a pick-em-up truck) and the engine torque wants to throw it a little to the right before the rear gets planted again.

 

[dcmdon]

Mine, a 2020 Overland (built in 6/2019) does it on occasion. Only on certain kinds of bumps and between 45 and 55 mph. My tires are at 38 psi. I had a '93 Silverado 4x4 that would occasionally do the same thing.

My gut feeling is that when the rear goes over some consecutive bumps that are really close together, the rear suspension can't compensate quick enough (plus the lighter ass end of a pick-em-up truck) and the engine torque wants to throw it a little to the right before the rear gets planted again.

This is what I"m assuming the OP means when he says it walks. If that's the case, it has nothing to do with anything related to steering or the front suspension.

 

[HorneyBadger]

I noticed you have 285's (33"). I do not believe those are original factory size tires for a Sport S. So please explain more on the tires installed. AT's? MT's? As previously mentioned, bump steer and probably over-inflation for that extra bounce!

 

[DBravo]

+1 to this. Every time I take mine to the dealership, they put the tires up to 40+ and it's like riding on hippity-hops.

agree - every time the dealer does the jeep wave oil change and tire rotation I have to air down from 40+ to 35 (JT Overland 285/70R18)

 

[Rattydude77]

I can not believe I read the whole thread and not one DUDE ITS A JEEP THING ? HAHAHAHA

 

[Lunentucker]

You're not the OP so it's all about yore Jeep. OK

Yeah. They make each one different.
I forgot that part.
Gosh.
My bad.

 

[Volksparts]

When I bought my Gladiator I drove from Tennessee all the way back to California I was all over the road like you said. Two things I think that have helped me in the last year. A) More weight in the bed. B) A fox steering stabilizer. Both have helped significantly. But yeah I definitely don't miss that squirly feeling. Scared the crap out of me.

 

[DMZ33]

I noticed you have 285's (33"). I do not believe those are original factory size tires for a Sport S. So please explain more on the tires installed. AT's? MT's? As previously mentioned, bump steer and probably over-inflation for that extra bounce!

Good catch. Yes, I got a new set of Rubicon take offs from a 22 with stock Wildpeak tires, however I had this same issue before I replaced the stock set. I also felt with both the stock and Rubicon set that the alignment was off. So after I put the Rubicon set on I had an alignment done at the dealer. They said it was off and fixed it but this made no difference. My gut tells me its the aluminum steering box so want Jeep to replace this at a minimum. Everyone here has been so helpful. So glad I found and joined this forum. Thanks All!

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