Loose Steering?

[JK4AER]

I've dropped my tire pressure again and am now at 32psi. Seems a little better. Still not like the JK I had or the TJ I still have.

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[futzin']

This is concerning coming from Wrangler owners . . .

 

[lrtexasman]

I recommend getting you dealer to look it over to ensure everything is tight and properly aligned. Should handle comparably to your JL.

 

[Thunder GO]

Hi Vismich,
We regret to hear that you are experiencing this concern with your new Gladiator. If you decide to have your dealer address this, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to add additional assistance to this process!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Gladiator steer me straight:
We have been a jeep family forever, YJ, TJ, JL, JK, JT. We have 4x4 in our DNA. The Gladiator is our seventh road able Jeep. We love the little pickup especially it's agility and eight speed transmission, but we have a serious steering problem once we get on the open road. There is not much we wont climb or drive over, but put the Gladiator between two semi's on the freeway and I feel like a ping pong ball being bouncing back and forth, NOT GOOD! Continuous over steer. Jeep steering (sway) is second nature to us, but this is different. tried tire pressure up/down and alignment. Then we realized, it just has too much slop in the steering (to be technical). I have read a bunch of post and I believe if you don't have this problem, good for you, but there are some vehicles that do and it is not safe. Going back to the dealer until it is resolved.

 

[wkndjeeper]

Yeah, I have had my JT for 3 weeks now and am driving the dreaded wet noodle as well. Pretty sad when you have to hang on to the wheel at 10 & 2 and then constantly shoulder the wheel back and forth like a freaking metronome just to keep the truck going in a straight line. My JK was dead solid even after lifting - really bummed I replaced it with this JT at this point. Anyway, i'll be keeping an eye on this thread in the hopes a TSB is released to fix this.
JEEPCARES, if you are still reading this thread, please know this is a serious issue affecting a whole bunch of us. I constantly find the truck slowly heading for the center line into oncoming traffic, then have to correct the steering which then over corrects it, rinse and repeat. It really feels like there is a dead spot when the wheel is dead center and the truck will continue to slowly track to one side or the other if you try to hole the wheel in that one spot to stay in a straight line. Once you correct the truck back to center, even if ever so slightly, it won't stay on center and slowly moves right or left. You move it back to center ever so slightly, hold the wheel at that position and then a second later it starts drifting again. You can can't keep it going in a straight line without fighting with the steering wheel constantly. Once you hold the wheel steady, she's off to drift to one side or the other. This is on smooth pavement mind you - nothing is making the jeep move, just the steering. Something is not right with either the steering box or the software - please fix this one.

 

[smess]

wknd you just described a vehicle whos toe is out of whack, i will post more shortly. In the meantime read the thread i started about taking delivery of my JT with toe out of spec.

 

[JeepCares]

Yeah, I have had my JT for 3 weeks now and am driving the dreaded wet noodle as well. Pretty sad when you have to hang on to the wheel at 10 & 2 and then constantly shoulder the wheel back and forth like a freaking metronome just to keep the truck going in a straight line. My JK was dead solid even after lifting - really bummed I replaced it with this JT at this point. Anyway, i'll be keeping an eye on this thread in the hopes a TSB is released to fix this.
JEEPCARES, if you are still reading this thread, please know this is a serious issue affecting a whole bunch of us. I constantly find the truck slowly heading for the center line into oncoming traffic, then have to correct the steering which then over corrects it, rinse and repeat. It really feels like there is a dead spot when the wheel is dead center and the truck will continue to slowly track to one side or the other if you try to hole the wheel in that one spot to stay in a straight line. Once you correct the truck back to center, even if ever so slightly, it won't stay on center and slowly moves right or left. You move it back to center ever so slightly, hold the wheel at that position and then a second later it starts drifting again. You can can't keep it going in a straight line without fighting with the steering wheel constantly. Once you hold the wheel steady, she's off to drift to one side or the other. This is on smooth pavement mind you - nothing is making the jeep move, just the steering. Something is not right with either the steering box or the software - please fix this one.

Hi wkndjeeper,
We're sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. Have you had the opportunity to have your dealer address this? As mentioned to your fellow forum members, we would be happy to get you connected with a case specialist. Please send us a private message!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[spazzyfry123]

Test drove a Rubicon and could not get past the steering. Asked the shop to do a one over and suggested to check the tire pressure (Jeep had 18 miles on it at this point). Came back and showed the tires were on average 15 psi overinflated.

Brought them down to recommended pressure and it was night and day. Drove great (for an off-road truck). This was with the 33” A/T.

 

[Jimmy196791]

Just got my JT and the steering is loose.

 

[smess]

Just got my JT and the steering is loose.

Where in Utah do you live?

 

[Jimmy196791]

Where in Utah do you live?

Salt Lake City

 

[smess]

Salt Lake City

What is your schedule tomorrow are you free. I am in Park City but heading to the airport. around 5. Let me take a look at it just for fun.

 

[Maverick10gk]

The steering issue is the only real gripe I have with mine. It requires way too much steering input to keep a heading especially in high wind. When towing I tend to fight the steering wheel quite often. Even when my wife drove it she said it made her nervous and uncomfortable.

Has anyone successfully addressed their steering woes? My JK never felt like this and it had MTRs ...

 

[Blu542]

I took my JT to the dealer this morning to address the loose steering. I just got the call, they couldn’t find anything. I pm’ed @JeepCares yesterday to let them know where it was headed, but no response. Guess now I have to get other people involved.

 

[Blu542]

I was told today by my dealership that they have no specification for what constitutes excessive play in the wheel other than how it feels. Even the great state of PA has a specification of 2” max for a wheel 16” in diameter or less for annual safety inspection. I believe I am being deliberately lied to. I will not settle for the subjectivity of the technicians “feel” to rule out the severity of my steering play and neither should anyone else. Numbers don’t lie.

Full disclosure, I do have a running conversation with @JeepCares as well airing my frustration.

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