Slight pull to the right...can't figure it out.

[dcmdon]

Must be a negative side-effect of the front solid axle, then. I’ve owned dozens of other vehicles that drove straight no matter the road conditions.

Also, JK didn’t have this issue to the extent we see on JL/JT. So things clearly changed for the worse.

Two changes FCA made:

1. Drop the time-proven hydraulic steering assist for an electric setup. Automakers around the world have been swapping hydraulics for electric assist, and now struggle with giving electric steering systems adequate feel
2. Use an aluminum steering box to save weight. A negative side-effect of this was reduced stiffness and added play, resulting in JL/JT’s infamous “vague” steering feel and lots of steering wander.

Instead of taking customer complaints seriously and addressing the issue, FCA screwed around for the first four model years, having dealers do a re-flash and later a steering stabilizer recall. Neither worked.

The steering wander was rectified to some extent by swapping back to a cast iron box in the second half of 2020. Jeeps built prior mid-2020 are eligible for a TSB, provided we are able to get our dealers to get off their asses and do their f+cking job...

Add to that a half-assed Mopar lift that doesn’t even include an adjustable track bar...

The entire thing is ridiculous.

All cars will pull to the right on a right crowned road and pull to the left on a left crowned road.

What I can't really comment on his how hard they will pull. The amount of caster is what determines how much crown affects things.

I don't know enough about the Jeep caster numbers compared to other cars to offer a valid opinion on that.

I also don't know enough about how a solid axle affects required caster and if that impacts whether the vehicle follows the crown more than something similar with independent front suspension.

Sponsored

 

[JeepSplurt]

my gladdy always pulls to right, when I take my hands off wheel it crosses two lanes on highway in a matter of seconds.. Tech says its "To SPEC" and actually got mad at me for even questioning him. I find it odd.. never owned a car that drifted that much but he said "DONT TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL" wish I had answers...

 

[93civej1]

my gladdy always pulls to right, when I take my hands off wheel it crosses two lanes on highway in a matter of seconds.. Tech says its "To SPEC" and actually got mad at me for even questioning him. I find it odd.. never owned a car that drifted that much but he said "DONT TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL" wish I had answers...

it should in theory stay where you point it straight, if the road and vehicle is straight

 

[JeepCares]

my gladdy always pulls to right, when I take my hands off wheel it crosses two lanes on highway in a matter of seconds.. Tech says its "To SPEC" and actually got mad at me for even questioning him. I find it odd.. never owned a car that drifted that much but he said "DONT TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL" wish I had answers...

Our team would like to discuss your steering concerns further, JeepSplurt. Send our team a private message when you have a moment.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[TrainMan]

Mine pulls to the right, but it must be the roads around here because I can go on the interstate and track straight.

 

[jingle]

I recently replaced the stock 285/70/R17 with 35/12.50/R18, 1.5” TeraFlex leveling kit, and got the Mopar FOX steering stabilizer “upgrade”. Now my gladiator pulls hard to the right. Didn’t do it before. All work done by the local Jeep dealer. After getting the air pressure right, wander diminished, but the pull to the right is definitely worse.

 

[Gvsukids]

I recently replaced the stock 285/70/R17 with 35/12.50/R18, 1.5” TeraFlex leveling kit, and got the Mopar FOX steering stabilizer “upgrade”. Now my gladiator pulls hard to the right. Didn’t do it before. All work done by the local Jeep dealer. After getting the air pressure right, wander diminished, but the pull to the right is definitely worse.

Better take it back.

 

[Oneshotlucky]

Check this out! I found that I had to center my front axle by 1/2 inch. MC game changer 2.5, started either my quick disconnects being at too much of angle! Anyway, that was resolved. Drove the keep after axle centering, straightened steering wheel. Drove just fine!
As one does, took it to check alignment, some small adjustment was made.
Now my steering wheel is a quarter to the left when driving, when I left go of wheel guess what pulls to the right! WTF!! Now gotta go back to shop and tell them what ever they did was wrong! PITA! Not sure but I think stock specs messed up what I had originally!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No. They just set toe improperly. They can't adjust anything else on these. They need to reset toe and center your wheel. Are you sure you actually centered the axle? How did you center the wheel?

 

[Oneshotlucky]

No. They just set toe improperly. They can't adjust anything else on these. They need to reset toe and center your wheel. Are you sure you actually centered the axle? How did you center the wheel?

I centered the axle with the track bar, it’s adjustable. I used the shock tower mount to edge of tire tread on each side after adjustment they were within about and 1/8 of inch. Then use steering pinion thing? Loosened bracket and turned it til the wheel was set right at 9 and 3, straight. If I have the sheet can they put it back where it was? The mechanic told me he had very little to turn again, he used stock suspension specs. Mine is completely MC everything

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I centered the axle with the track bar, it’s adjustable. I used the shock tower mount to edge of tire tread on each side after adjustment they were within about and 1/8 of inch. Then use steering pinion thing? Loosened bracket and turned it til the wheel was set right at 9 and 3, straight. If I have the sheet can they put it back where it was? The mechanic told me he had very little to turn again, he used stock suspension specs. Mine is completely MC everything

I'd personally use a wheel as a measuring point as the tires can be off a bit in some cases.
That's what I was wondering - where you measured from, what points you used to check centering.

For the wheel centering, you used the drag link - meaning you only changed the steering wheel centering and nothing else (a good thing)

There is nothing that can be done on these other than check angles and settings, all that can be changed is the toe setting, and they use toe split to center the steering wheel.
They can't change caster unless you have installed adjustable control arms.
They can't change camber.
So - all they could possibly change (assuming non-adjustable stock type control arms) is the toe and wheel centering.
That seems to be a common thing. After they checked mine, I had to re-center the wheel - and all I asked was to "check it and give me a print out".

 

[Oneshotlucky]

I'd personally use a wheel as a measuring point as the tires can be off a bit in some cases.
That's what I was wondering - where you measured from, what points you used to check centering.

For the wheel centering, you used the drag link - meaning you only changed the steering wheel centering and nothing else (a good thing)

There is nothing that can be done on these other than check angles and settings, all that can be changed is the toe setting, and they use toe split to center the steering wheel.
They can't change caster unless you have installed adjustable control arms.
They can't change camber.
So - all they could possibly change (assuming non-adjustable stock type control arms) is the toe and wheel centering.
That seems to be a common thing. After they checked mine, I had to re-center the wheel - and all I asked was to "check it and give me a print out".

They did adjust toe. The steering wheel is not straight. When I hold it straight from a stop and drive forward the truck drifts right? On the road/highway I’m driving straight be the steering shell is at a quarter turn to the left. If I left the wheel go the jeeps drifts right in about 2 seconds! It was fine before they touched it! Now I’m back at the shop!
I had the guy at the desk ride with me so I could show him and he could see for himself. He said yeah, it’s not right and took it immediately to the back. I’ll update after…. I should have left it the way it was! But, I have learned in the past that when you change something it’s best to get it checked?

 

[Oneshotlucky]

I'd personally use a wheel as a measuring point as the tires can be off a bit in some cases.
That's what I was wondering - where you measured from, what points you used to check centering.

For the wheel centering, you used the drag link - meaning you only changed the steering wheel centering and nothing else (a good thing)

There is nothing that can be done on these other than check angles and settings, all that can be changed is the toe setting, and they use toe split to center the steering wheel.
They can't change caster unless you have installed adjustable control arms.
They can't change camber.
So - all they could possibly change (assuming non-adjustable stock type control arms) is the toe and wheel centering.
That seems to be a common thing. After they checked mine, I had to re-center the wheel - and all I asked was to "check it and give me a print out".

They readjusted the toe again and it’s back the way it should be now! Thanks for your input!

 

[Matts4313]

Our team would like to discuss your steering concerns further, JeepSplurt. Send our team a private message when you have a moment.

Kate
Jeep Cares

Mine is still pulling right after 2 alignments (21 Max tow, Mopar lift from dealer). I just took it into the dealership due to a chipped windshield and complained about it. Their solution? "Just get another alignment". 3rd alignment in under 15k miles? Really?? Thats the professional recommendation?


On top of that, while I am venting, this same dealer:

I call and tell them I need a new windshield. Set a time for the following week on Tuesday to get the windshield installed (and ask about the alignment). I get there, they say it should be ready in 24-48 hours. Not great, but okay.

48 hours later they call me "you need a new windshield".... No ish. Why the hell do you think youve had my truck for 48 hours? "It will take another week to get a windshield"... THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME TO COME IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND LEAVE THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS!


Anywho - Jeep cares - How do I get my truck to stop trying to drive into the side of the wall?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Mine is still pulling right after 2 alignments (21 Max tow, Mopar lift from dealer). I just took it into the dealership due to a chipped windshield and complained about it. Their solution? "Just get another alignment". 3rd alignment in under 15k miles? Really?? Thats the professional recommendation?


On top of that, while I am venting, this same dealer:

I call and tell them I need a new windshield. Set a time for the following week on Tuesday to get the windshield installed (and ask about the alignment). I get there, they say it should be ready in 24-48 hours. Not great, but okay.

48 hours later they call me "you need a new windshield".... No ish. Why the hell do you think youve had my truck for 48 hours? "It will take another week to get a windshield"... THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME TO COME IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND LEAVE THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS!


Anywho - Jeep cares - How do I get my truck to stop trying to drive into the side of the wall?

Jeepcares can't fix it for you. They'll suggest a different dealer.
Dealerships can't or don't align these anyway - as said a dozen or more times around these forums, ALL they can or will do is set toe and center the steering wheel. That's it.
They can't change caster without tearing the steering knuckles apart and replacing parts.
They can't change camber without doing the same (shims in the steering knuckle - tapered bushings is more like it) and dealers don't typically do that - like most don't even know it can be done.

So don't expect a dealer to fix a pull with an alignment.

To clarify - a pull means you let go of the wheel and it veers or leads strongly to one side - either it takes off to the left or takes off to the right.
If it doesn't do that it's not pulling.
If you let go and it keeps going straight - but your steering wheel isn't straight, then they need to set toe and recenter the steering wheel because it's not pulling.
Tires are a very common reason for a pull. Otherwise bent or damaged parts and so on.

Did you post the results of your alignment? The alignment sheet that shows the before alignment and after alignment numbers? That will tell us if it's a pull due to alignment or not as some of us here have actually done alignments in a shop and know how to read them and what to look for.

Sponsored