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No matter what, pulls right

LetzGoState

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I’m getting somewhat frustrated. My Jeep wanders/veers right. It requires constant slight left input on the steering wheel to maintain a straight track. I understand that road crown will cause this to happen to some extent especially in the US, but this is more than it’s been in the past.

Things I’ve Tried:
1. I’ve taken it to two alignment shops and both say the alignment is fine. Both made a slight steering adjustment to center the steering wheel. Image from the first shop.
2. I’ve checked that tire pressures are matched and done a chalk test. Those are fine At about 33 lbs each.
3. I have a Fox ATS stabilizer and tried different settings, but with it being somewhat neutral, not sure how this could cause the issue.
4. I’ve checked to make sure the axles are centered, the rear wasn’t, but I did center it and the issue persists. I did this before taking it to get aligned.
5. I’ve checked for damaged or loose steering and suspension components and so have both shops—nothing problematic.

I’m running a 3.5” Clayton Overland Lift, 35” Falcon Wildpeak AT3s, Sector Shaft Brace, Teraflex HD Ball Joints, and Fusion 2.5 ton Aluminum tie rod and drag links. Is there a way I can drive this thing without having to put consistent steering input to the left? I can literally aim left And within 200’ arc right back into the right side curb. Or is this just a Jeep thing?
Jeep Gladiator No matter what, pulls right FE9B96DB-3647-4ECE-B6D4-029DDC4E78A2
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bleda2002

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If the road leans left does it go left? I definitely have to fight the road crown more than on an ifs but I wouldn't say it's like super bad compared to anything else.
 
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LetzGoState

LetzGoState

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If the road leans left does it go left? I definitely have to fight the road crown more than on an ifs but I wouldn't say it's like super bad compared to anything else.
I don’t have any I know of that crown left nearby. But I do have some flat areas. On flat areas it still veers right.
 

CreepyJeepy

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So coming from a Tacoma, and now driving a jeep...

The pull on road crown is entirely different than independent suspension. Jeeps follow road crown more than any vehicle I've ever driven, and a lifted gladiator is even worse...

Your numbers look fine... My caster numbers are in the 4.6 range fyi... (yours are way better) I am on a mopar 2" lift with a 1/2" spacer up front.

Go find a road that leans the other way... or drive on the wrong side of the road in a neighborhood if nobody is around. I bet you find it pulls the other way....

It takes some time to get used to... but eventually you will not notice.

You can check your stabilizer isn't driving the axle, but normally it makes zero difference....
I'd also look at your tire pressures.

But I bet this is normal.
 
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LetzGoState

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So coming from a Tacoma, and now driving a jeep...

The pull on road crown is entirely different than independent suspension. Jeeps follow road crown more than any vehicle I've ever driven, and a lifted gladiator is even worse...

Your numbers look fine... My caster numbers are in the 4.6 range fyi... (yours are way better) I am on a mopar 2" lift with a 1/2" spacer up front.

Go find a road that leans the other way... or drive on the wrong side of the road in a neighborhood if nobody is around. I bet you find it pulls the other way....

It takes some time to get used to... but eventually you will not notice.

You can check your stabilizer isn't driving the axle, but normally it makes zero difference....
I'd also look at your tire pressures.

But I bet this is normal.
Thank you for that insight, hadn’t thought about using the neighborhood roads driving the wrong direction. I’ll give that a try when I can later. Tire pressures seem dead on and all equal. This is my 4th wrangler style vehicle but the first pickup variation. I would have thought the extended wheelbase would be better for tracking, and in many regards it is. I suppose with a shorter wheelbase the amount of input might be slightly less and that’s what I’m picking up on here. Just seems to constantly have the power steering engaged to some degree is more than I would have expected.
 

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Mine has done this since I lifted it as well. Actually getting a full alignment done today and hoping it fixes the right hand pull. I’m so tired of driving on straightaways and having to put constant pressure to the left on the steering wheel. I’ve almost gotten used to it but it’s so damn annoying. For me it is actually most noticeable between 40-50mph. At highway speeds it is still there but doesn’t require as much correction.

Oh and I’ve tested the road crown difference and it still does the same.
 
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LetzGoState

LetzGoState

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Mine has done this since I lifted it as well. Actually getting a full alignment done today and hoping it fixes the right hand pull. I’m so tired of driving on straightaways and having to put constant pressure to the left on the steering wheel. I’ve almost gotten used to it but it’s so damn annoying. For me it is actually most noticeable between 40-50mph. At highway speeds it is still there but doesn’t require as much correction.

Oh and I’ve tested the road crown difference and it still does the same.
That’s the thing. Mine is worse 40-50 and on up. A long highway drive is actually really tiring. I am actually wanting to figure out how to adjust for crown and make a slight adjustment at this point because I can’t think of anything else to do. I have had other wrangler style vehicles, 2dr JK, 4 dr JK, and 4 dr JL. While none have the best road manners, this right pull is incredibly annoying and as much as I try to just deal with it and get used to it, I haven’t been able to. Of course with every road imperfection I’ll slightly jostle the wheel, which will cause me to have to correct slightly the other way, which leads to a very busy driving experience.
 
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LetzGoState

LetzGoState

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I would have someone look at your steering box while your turning the steering wheel left and right and see how much deflection you have at the frame where the steering box bolts. Mine was pulling to the right and I solved it by getting a steer smarts reinforcing bracket.
I’ll try when my wife gets home. But I actually do have a sector shaft brace installed.
 

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when i first got mine i had a slight pull to the right. i thought it was an alignment issue but after looking into it i found my steering wheel was off by a half an inch so when i would hold the steering wheel straight it was puling right but when i held the steering wheel off centered it tracked straighter. i was able to align my steering wheel closer to center but its still off my a little bit because the adjustment threads are too course so its hard to get that fine adjustment i would like. it still has a very slight pull to the right so i have to do a slight correction to the steering wheel which its become second nature now. i also changed my stock stabilizer to a fox one and now my steering went from like a half inch or more of play to like 1/16th of an inch of play.
 

bleda2002

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That’s the thing. Mine is worse 40-50 and on up. A long highway drive is actually really tiring. I am actually wanting to figure out how to adjust for crown and make a slight adjustment at this point because I can’t think of anything else to do. I have had other wrangler style vehicles, 2dr JK, 4 dr JK, and 4 dr JL. While none have the best road manners, this right pull is incredibly annoying and as much as I try to just deal with it and get used to it, I haven’t been able to. Of course with every road imperfection I’ll slightly jostle the wheel, which will cause me to have to correct slightly the other way, which leads to a very busy driving experience.

A trick i've learned is to rest my elbow on the drivers door, and not correct for bumps, just hold steady and let it settle. It used to be a lot more tiring on long drives, but once i learned to not adjust for bumps and trust it will still go the way its pointed, i became much happier and can easily drive 6+ hours with out feeling the fatigue.
 

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i've seen some folks who said they replaced their rear sway bar and it made it steer so much better.

not sure I fully understand that but I have read that.
 
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LetzGoState

LetzGoState

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when i first got mine i had a slight pull to the right. i thought it was an alignment issue but after looking into it i found my steering wheel was off by a half an inch so when i would hold the steering wheel straight it was puling right but when i held the steering wheel off centered it tracked straighter. i was able to align my steering wheel closer to center but its still off my a little bit because the adjustment threads are too course so its hard to get that fine adjustment i would like. it still has a very slight pull to the right so i have to do a slight correction to the steering wheel which its become second nature now. i also changed my stock stabilizer to a fox one and now my steering went from like a half inch or more of play to like 1/16th of an inch of play.
Thank you for that! I have had the steering wheel centered twice. It’s still off a bit and a real pain to get right because you have to actually put it slightly off center and then tighten because while tightening it will move the wheel slightly. Maybe I need to adjust the wheel slightly to right so that driving centered keeps me centered—I suppose that would make me turn slightly left at all times to go straight ?
 
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LetzGoState

LetzGoState

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A trick i've learned is to rest my elbow on the drivers door, and not correct for bumps, just hold steady and let it settle. It used to be a lot more tiring on long drives, but once i learned to not adjust for bumps and trust it will still go the way its pointed, i became much happier and can easily drive 6+ hours with out feeling the fatigue.
I am going to try this. I normally do it with my right elbow on the center arm rest. Can’t hurt to get into a new habit. When I’m going faster than I should be I normally have left elbow on door sill and right on center arm rest for a somewhat stabilizing effect that makes me feel more in control.
 
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LetzGoState

LetzGoState

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i've seen some folks who said they replaced their rear sway bar and it made it steer so much better.

not sure I fully understand that but I have read that.
Sway bar or track bar? I’d be curious to know what that was about!
 

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what i read was sway bar. i could be wrong, but i swear that is what it said.
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