Play in steering/steering wheel

[Remy_Dog]

Hey folks, I'm new here and glad to be here. I'm trying to get good information on mitigating the looseness in the steering/steering wheel (not death wobble). It's not terrible but it's an issue I'd like to resolve on my 2023 stock Gladiator Sport S. Thanks for any help with this.

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[PsyRN]

How "loose" are we talking about? This just might be typical for a solid axle truck.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Hey folks, I'm new here and glad to be here. I'm trying to get good information on mitigating the looseness in the steering/steering wheel (not death wobble). It's not terrible but it's an issue I'd like to resolve on my 2023 stock Gladiator Sport S. Thanks for any help with this.

IS this your first Jeep/solid front axle vehicle?

 

[Guns_N_Rosaries]

It's a Jeep thing.

 

[RoamingGladiator]

100% agree with the other two... going from IFS > Solid Axle can be a bit of a change if you're not used to it. My Rubicon steering can move maybe 1-2 degrees in either direction before input, which is pretty typical for every Jeep I've owned. Seeing as you have a 23, you would have the steel steering box... if it's actually excessive, you can adjust the lash on the box to tighten it up but you need to be very careful with that.

Perhpas a video on how much play there is at deadstop?

 

[Remy_Dog]

Thanks Folks, I knew I’d get sound answers here. I’ve had 3 Grand Cherokee’s but, yep, this is my first solid axle vehicle. It’s not terrible just not what I’m used to. Otherwise I love everything else but the 7” infotainment system. It’s okay just not the 8.4 I’m used to, lol!

 

[Camaroboi13]

Even though you have the steel box it doesn’t mean anything if it’s falling off the frame like mine was ?

I had a loose steering feel followed by a clunking and a dead spot with 5-7 degrees of play before the vehicle would react to it. Turns out the box was starting to come loose from its mounting points and the dealer fixed it for free under warranty. If you start hearing or feeling that clunking when turning off center take it in right away. Otherwise, yeah these jeeps tend to have a little play from the factory.

 

[JamesWyatt]

Thanks Folks, I knew I’d get sound answers here. I’ve had 3 Grand Cherokee’s but, yep, this is my first solid axle vehicle. It’s not terrible just not what I’m used to. Otherwise I love everything else but the 7” infotainment system. It’s okay just not the 8.4 I’m used to, lol!

From the factory, all JL/JT except the XR package vehicles have some play in the steering. It's no big deal at lower speeds, but on the interstate, it feels a bit like you're in a bobsled race in the Olympics, sliding back and forth in your lane. Steering input is slightly delayed due to the play, so it can be unnerving.

• Check all suspension bolts to make sure nothing is loose. Check them all for proper torque. Or take in the vehicle under warranty and ask the service department to do this for you based on the play in the steering. Don't let them test drive it and tell you it's normal. Insist it's unacceptable, and you would like them to check the suspension bolts for safety reasons.
• Adjusting the steering box should be a last resort and reserved for cases where there is a large amount of play.
• Poor tire/wheel balance will make steering at high speed even more difficult. If you can't get your tire/wheel combo balanced to ride glass smooth, consider upgrading to some good aftermarket wheels and tires. You could have a wheel and/or tire that is out of round/defective. A good tire shop like @Discount Tire can tell you if any of the tires were particularly difficult to balance, and they may suggest rotating that tire on the wheel to see if that can help (because you don't want both the tire and wheel to be off in balance in the same direction)
• Adding the Fox 2.0 ATS steering stabilizer made the biggest difference for me. The ability to tighten up the dampening to the tighter side of normal worked well for me. I'm sitting at a setting of 18 out of 25 with 25 being the tightest. There is still play, but steering input is now much faster, which really, really helps at interstate speeds.

Keep in mind that there is a reason there is a slight amount of play in the steering of a solid axle vehicle. If the steering box is so tight that you have immediate steering response, you may more easily lose control of the vehicle at high speeds.

 

[Remy_Dog]

I was wondering if the Fox 2.0 ATS stabilizer would help since I won’t be adding a lift or larger tires, but probably doing a leveling kit soon.

 

[Camaroboi13]

I was wondering if the Fox 2.0 ATS stabilizer would help since I won’t be adding a lift or larger tires, but probably doing a leveling kit soon.

Might make it a little smoother, but the small amount of play you’re feeling now (if it’s normal play) probably won’t go away with a screen door closer with a fox sticker on it.

 

[JamesWyatt]

I was wondering if the Fox 2.0 ATS stabilizer would help since I won’t be adding a lift or larger tires, but probably doing a leveling kit soon.

It may take fewer clicks past center to get the same steering response with smaller tires. If I'm at 18 on 35" tires, you may find the same improvement at a lower setting (12 clicks being "center"). If you do order one, know that you'll need to order the old style Mopar steering stabilizer bolt. Your 2023 will have a bolt with a square neck that won't fit the stabilizer on the tie rod side.

Ignore those who haven't tried the ATS 2.0. Yes, it will dampen the ride off road, but it does more than that. Steering response at the tighter settings is faster and stiffer at the higher/tighter settings when driving at high speeds. Period. Anecdotal stories of the Fox stabilizers making little difference mostly come from those who bought one of the non-adjustable versions.

But it won't fix the problem if you have more than normal play in the steering. That would be a mechanical issue you need to address first.

 

[Remy_Dog]

It may take fewer clicks past center to get the same steering response with smaller tires. If I'm at 18 on 35" tires, you may find the same improvement at a lower setting (12 clicks being "center"). If you do order one, know that you'll need to order the old style Mopar steering stabilizer bolt. Your 2023 will have a bolt with a square neck that won't fit the stabilizer on the tie rod side.

Ignore those who haven't tried the ATS 2.0. Yes, it will dampen the ride off road, but it does more than that. Steering response at the tighter settings is faster and stiffer at the higher/tighter settings when driving at high speeds. Period. Anecdotal stories of the Fox stabilizers making little difference mostly come from those who bought one of the non-adjustable versions.

I have read elsewhere that the bolt is an issue so it’s good to have you confirm that it is and is something I’m thankful for knowing ahead of time, lol! I’ll never be at anything like MOAB or anything like that as anything but a spectator even with dampening I think the Fox 2.0 could potentially be a good on/off road balance for me.

 

[JamesWyatt]

I have read elsewhere that the bolt is an issue so it’s good to have you confirm that it is and is something I’m thankful for knowing ahead of time, lol! I’ll never be at anything like MOAB or anything like that as anything but a spectator even with dampening I think the Fox 2.0 could potentially be a good on/off road balance for me.

You might want to test drive a new JT Sport just to compare your steering play. I wouldn't add the ATS 2.0 until you know for sure your steering play is normal.

 

[Bbannongmu]

The Synergy Trackbar and Sector Shaft brace helped tighten up my steering.

 

[Mad Mac]

Adjusting the steering gearbox would be the first thing I would do.
It's free. Can't hurt.

My used '21 JTR had 15,000 miles on it when I bought it January 23.
Parked, the steering wheel would turn three inches before engaging.
Driving down the road felt like being a pinball in a pinball machine.
I adjusted mine myself. Now the play is one inch.
Still a bit of wander but it's tolerable.

There are many YouTube videos about adjusting
a Saginaw style steering gearbox like we have.
This video is for an early JT with the aluminum box
but the instructions are still good for the steel box.

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