Possible Gladiator Rubicon Steering Fix with no aftermarket parts

[GladtoJeep]

I recently bought my gladiator Rubicon and was experiencing the steering issues many have posted on (2-3 inch dead spot, wondering in lane, ect) Overall a terrible experience, however when I was orientating myself to the controls I disconnected and reconnected my sway bar approximately 5-6 times and it instantly corrected all my steering issues. No indicator lights were on before this and the dealership said my situation should, in theory, not be possible. I apologize if this fix has been listed elsewhere and I hope this can solve others issues in the future. I also apologize if the title is misleading and should be listed as a sway bar concern, but the overall impact was on steering.

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[361Sean]

Are you saying you used the electronic sway bar disconnect and now your steering is better? Or did you physically disconnect it. I have used me electronic dis connect and I still have the dead spot.

 

[furrymurray]

I recently bought my gladiator Rubicon and was experiencing the steering issues many have posted on (2-3 inch dead spot, wondering in lane, ect) Overall a terrible experience, however when I was orientating myself to the controls I disconnected and reconnected my sway bar approximately 5-6 times and it instantly corrected all my steering issues. No indicator lights were on before this and the dealership said my situation should, in theory, not be possible. I apologize if this fix has been listed elsewhere and I hope this can solve others issues in the future. I also apologize if the title is misleading and should be listed as a sway bar concern, but the overall impact was on steering.

That is very interesting! It felt like the swaybar was not connected when driving my JT. I recently got a new steering box installed and now it drives like a champion. I wonder if the swaybar had anything to do with the driving characteristics before? I even told my dealer when I dropped it off to them that it drove like the swatbar was not connected but I focused more on the steering. I am glad your JT is driving better now without having to go to dealer.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

It's perfectly possible for the lock controller to think the sway bar is locked and it not being actually locked. With a brand new vehicle I would point the finger at a lack of lubrication causing the lock collar to freeze and stall.

But if the bar were disconnected it wouldn't lead to wandering steering so much as a boston whaler like heaving and swaying.

So yeah... ::kicks pebble:: the problem continues. I'm more than willing to say it's the electrohydraulic unit.

 

[Bonanza]

I thought mine was bad, but it turned out that I didn't torque my track bar bolt tightly enough when I installed my lift. Whoops.

 

[DaveL]

I learned a lesson a long time ago from my friend Paul B. (R.I.P.) Look at the simple things first. (Paul bought an alternator because his battery wasn't charging. Turned out it was the fan belt.) He was a good mechanic. He had rebuilt his F100 from rust to glory.

The JL forum has many people investing quantum bucks to solve this problem. Vague steering. Wandering. It's a big issue shown by the number of posts.

Our Jeep dealer is closed (Covid 19 related?)

 

[GladtoJeep]

Are you saying you used the electronic sway bar disconnect and now your steering is better? Or did you physically disconnect it. I have used me electronic dis connect and I still have the dead spot.

I did it electronically with the button multiple times in a row. The dealership is thinking the Rubicon models might need cycling like this prior to selling. In hindsight I guess I did not correct a true steering issue, but my steering issue was due to a sway bar not reconnecting, if that makes sense.

 

[Slicksickle]

Just found this issue this week on our. The uconnect always states the sway bar is connected, whether I hit the button or not. The dash appears correctly, but either way I have the same swaying and heaving issue. Was there an easy fix?

 

[catdaddy63]

The axle locks should be cycled during a "proper" pre-delivery inspection.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

Just found this issue this week on our. The uconnect always states the sway bar is connected, whether I hit the button or not. The dash appears correctly, but either way I have the same swaying and heaving issue. Was there an easy fix?

Just to be sure, its in 4wd when you are doing this right? A disconnect sway bar leads to handling on the street like a boston whaler in chop. Any hard turn even at low speeds would feel very very wrong.

 

[Slicksickle]

Just to be sure, its in 4wd when you are doing this right? A disconnect sway bar leads to handling on the street like a boston whaler in chop. Any hard turn even at low speeds would feel very very wrong.

Yes, 100% sure it's in 4wd. It feels exactly like the sway bar is disconnected. It's the oddest thing...

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