Loose Steering?

[Keller]

Just picked up a Gladiator Rubicon today.
Build date 10-19

I noticed some play in the steering on the test drive at low speed but thought it was just me since my DD is a Porsche.

Then my wife took the truck for a drive and she comes home and immediately complained about the steering..so here I am on this thread. Only on page 5 catching up so just me reinforcing that Jeep needs to find a fix.

Not the ownership experience I was hoping for on day one JEEP. BTW traded a 2005 Wrangler for the Gladiator so not my first Jeep, in fact my 4th.

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[MoparDave]

Just picked up a Gladiator Rubicon today.
Build date 10-19

I noticed some play in the steering on the test drive at low speed but thought it was just me since my DD is a Porsche.

Then my wife took the truck for a drive and she comes home and immediately complained about the steering..so here I am on this thread. Only on page 5 catching up so just me reinforcing that Jeep needs to find a fix.

Not the ownership experience I was hoping for on day one JEEP. BTW traded a 2005 Wrangler for the Gladiator so not my first Jeep, in fact my 4th.

My steering is not razor sharp but it certainly wasn't "Oh crap, this is terrible I may die!"...It's very acceptable (I didn't even lower the pressure either, 42 Psi)

Sounds like you feel the same as me...but your wife begs to differ.

Lower the air pressure and find out if your wife is satisfied with that before you make a trip to the dealer.

Good luck.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My steering is not razor sharp but it certainly wasn't "Oh crap, this is terrible I my die!"...It's very acceptable (I didn't even lower the pressure either, 42 Psi)

Sounds like you feel the same as me...but your wife begs to differ.

Lower the air pressure and find out if your wife is satisfied with that before you make a trip to the dealer.

Good luck.

Some of these come from the dealer with crazy high tire pressures, 44 and such. That's not good.

Tire pressure on mine is the recommended 38. (Overland - likely different than the wider Rubicon tires)

Mine has responsive steering. In fact I still sometimes tend to over-compensate when the wind is strong. Otherwise it's a dream to drive.

 

[MoparDave]

Some of these come from the dealer with crazy high tire pressures, 44 and such. That's not good.

Tire pressure on mine is the recommended 38. (Overland - likely different than the wider Rubicon tires)

Mine has responsive steering. In fact I still sometimes tend to over-compensate when the wind is strong. Otherwise it's a dream to drive.

I certainly don't have dead steering either I would call it "responsive" also.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I certainly don't have dead steering either I would call it "responsive" also.

And you have the fun Challenger to compare to. Wow.

 

[Tim]

I'll throw this little tidbit out there for what it's worth.

I drove a Gladiator Sport S max tow with what seemed like loose steering. The tires were stock and tire pressure was 32/33 all around. Not sure about toe in. With the vehicle running I stood outside the truck and watched the front wheel as I moved the steering wheel. Guess what? The slightest movement of the steering wheel resulted in movement of the front wheels. There was no slop or dead space.

In comparison, my gladiator drives fine. It is quite responsive, actually. Tire pressure between 29 and 37 doesn't really affect how mine handles. I measured my toe in to be just slightly over 1/8" on my Rubicon with the stock 33s.

 

[Factoid]

I'll throw this little tidbit out there for what it's worth.

I drove a Gladiator Sport S max tow with what seemed like loose steering. The tires were stock and tire pressure was 32/33 all around. Not sure about toe in. With the vehicle running I stood outside the truck and watched the front wheel as I moved the steering wheel. Guess what? The slightest movement of the steering wheel resulted in movement of the front wheels. There was no slop or dead space.

In comparison, my gladiator drives fine. It is quite responsive, actually. Tire pressure between 29 and 37 doesn't really affect how mine handles. I measured my toe in to be just slightly over 1/8" on my Rubicon with the stock 33s.

If the box, drag link and track rod are not loose and the wheels move with the slightest movement of the steering wheel and the tire pressure is correct, yet the steering feels loose, then all that is really left is toe and/or an upgraded stabilizer. Both should be investigated by all JT owners.

 

[5chema]

If the box, drag link and track rod are not loose and the wheels move with the slightest movement of the steering wheel and the tire pressure is correct, yet the steering feels loose, then all that is really left is toe and/or an upgraded stabilizer. Both should be investigated by all JT owners.

To be scientifically accurate, we should develop a standard of test and measurements of the steering looseness... but the "Jeep looseness scale“ sounds curious and ambiguous!

Otherwise, it’s more a qualitative feeling of each owner rather than an exact comparison...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

To be scientifically accurate, we should develop a standard of test and measurements of the steering looseness... but the "Jeep looseness scale“ sounds curious and ambiguous!

Otherwise, it’s more a qualitative feeling of each owner rather than an exact comparison...

There's merit to that - and more than one person here has actually moved the steering column as it goes to the box and observed the amount of play prior to any wheel or steering linkage movement - it was substantial. With my own, I cannot move the steering shaft to the box without a corresponding movement of the pitman arm.
So that was a direct comparison - one that is "loose" compared to one that isn't loose. Play noted in one, no play noted in other.
That's play, not toe, tire pressure, etc.
So it goes back to - may well be more than one thing causing the same or similar symptoms. That's why I prefer to be systematic and logical about troubleshooting. Narrow it down.
The fellow who contacted me directly - we compared specifics. It ain't tire pressure or toe with his.
Then there's the case of a guy who had the track bar replaced and noted it was a bit better, definitely different, but still "play" or "looseness" feeling. Multiple issues, stack-up of tolerances or small issues adding to a larger symptom.

Factoid made a good comment - ANYONE here can check the toe on their Jeep. I posted a youtube video on how to do it. If you own a tape measure, you can at least get a close check to see if it's close or not.

 

[Bhoag]

I am going Saturday morning to have an alignment performed on my JT, S model with max tow.
My issues is as follows; while driving straight it does pull to the right, if you move the steering wheel to the left it responds appropriately, when you turn the steering wheel to the right, you move the steering wheel about 1.5 to 2 inches before the wheels start to move.
I am going for low fruit first then to the dealer.

Bill

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I am going Saturday morning to have an alignment performed on my JT, S model with max tow.
My issues is as follows; while driving straight it does pull to the right, if you move the steering wheel to the left it responds appropriately, when you turn the steering wheel to the right, you move the steering wheel about 1.5 to 2 inches before the wheels start to move.
I am going for low fruit first then to the dealer.

Bill

Note that there is no alignment that can be done other than center the steering wheel and set toe-in.
Caster and camber are both set in stone. If you used adjustable lower control arms you could set the caster some, but the difference between left wheel caster and right wheel caster cannot be set. Both move together since it's a solid axle.

However, having it checked is a great place to start for certain. It's a good first move. They can at least check the angles and set toe - then you have something concrete to go on and have at least taken that first logic step.
Good luck - we're pulling for you.

 

[Gatorized]

I am going Saturday morning to have an alignment performed on my JT, S model with max tow.
My issues is as follows; while driving straight it does pull to the right, if you move the steering wheel to the left it responds appropriately, when you turn the steering wheel to the right, you move the steering wheel about 1.5 to 2 inches before the wheels start to move.
I am going for low fruit first then to the dealer.

Bill

Have them torque everything to spec as well. Get the before and after readings.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Have them torque everything to spec as well. Get the before and after readings.

IF they are worth a hoot, that should be pretty normal - to give a full report, check everything, even on NEW vehicles. I've seen bushings pressed in in such a way as to cause binding on parts, rubber ripped off the shell, etc.
Yeah, make sure they torque things - look for crooked or cross-threaded bolts or nuts.

 

[Rocksalt]

sorry to hear of those having steering issues. my sport s has zero looseness, no dead spot, and can be driven at highway speeds with one hand on the wheel.

 

[techteacher]

Here is the dead space in my wheel. Taking it in Tuesday to get checked out. I've been writing this off as normal - this isn't normal right?

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