Slow right turn lock up

[BryanM]

I have a 2020 Gladiator with 2.5" lift. Upgraded Tie Rod, Track bars, Draglink as well. Was going through a parking lot yesterday and had to make a typical tight right hand turn.. Got half way through the turn and it felt as if the wheel locked up and wouldn't turn right any more. I was able to finish the turn but not tight as I should have. I drove around the parking lot and the rest of the evening with no issues. This morning I was driving to work and I started to feel it again. Yesterday happened after i was parked for 40 mins and it was 65 degrees out. This morning I was leaving the gym and it was parked for 2 hrs and it was 50 degrees. Both happened within a couple hundred yards of starting it and driving and turning. Only day 2 of this but I can see this being a problem in a lot of scenarios. Should I take to the dealership or is there an easy fix?

Sponsored

 

[JTenn]

Sounds like something in the steering geometry is in a bind. Were any of the mods recent or have they been on a while? Turn the wheel to the right and look at the moveable components. Look for tight or touching components, ie, drag link, tie rod, track bar, steering knuckles. Something has changed and shouldn't be too hard to see.

 

[BryanM]

Sounds like something in the steering geometry is in a bind. Were any of the mods recent or have they been on a while? Turn the wheel to the right and look at the moveable components. Look for tight or touching components, ie, drag link, tie rod, track bar, steering knuckles. Something has changed and shouldn't be too hard to see.

The Tie Rod is new.. The rest has been on a few weeks. I also read It may be as simple as low or dirty steering fluid because it's random and not every time or even a majority of the time.

 

[JTenn]

Are the components a mix of different manufacturers or matched from a single manufacturer? Normally shouldn't matter but sometimes can/does. It sounds like most of if not all the work and parts are relatively recently installed. Something is off. I haven't heard of the dirty fluid. I seriously doubt that as it's a sealed system and you can't have that many miles on it that the fluid would be contaminated. Anything is possible but look closely at the work that has been done.

 

[BryanM]

Are the components a mix of different manufacturers or matched from a single manufacturer? Normally shouldn't matter but sometimes can/does. It sounds like most of if not all the work and parts are relatively recently installed. Something is off. I haven't heard of the dirty fluid. I seriously doubt that as it's a sealed system and you can't have that many miles on it that the fluid would be contaminated. Anything is possible but look closely at the work that has been done.

Thanks man! The work is pretty solid. I did what was mentioned above and everything looks and feels great. I did check the power steering fluid and it was very low. Below "min". I feel like a dip but I'm used to "bigger" issues I never checked. I'm getting the Mopar fluid for it now and going to fill it. We'll see if the issue is there in the next few days.

Appreciate you all.

 

[JTenn]

Thanks man! The work is pretty solid. I did what was mentioned above and everything looks and feels great. I did check the power steering fluid and it was very low. Below "min". I feel like a dip but I'm used to "bigger" issues I never checked. I'm getting the Mopar fluid for it now and going to fill it. We'll see if the issue is there in the next few days.

Appreciate you all.

That would be awesome if the solution is that easy. Keep us posted.

 

[BryanM]

That would be awesome if the solution is that easy. Keep us posted.

Right! It would be the first time something was that easy and inexpensive if so. This is my 3rd. Had a 2011 JK, 2017 JKU, and now a 2020 JT... all lifted, all different obstacles, all, a lot of money involved ha.

Cheers all, I'll def let you know

 

[GrubbyBaja]

...but the question remains - Where did the fluid go?

 

[BryanM]

damn.. you know I'm exhausted when I didn't even think.. "why the hell is my fluid low?". I bet its from a gasket or something. I don't have any stains in the driveway so I'll just take it to the dealership and have them fix it... still under warranty. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[Killroy Was Here]

damn.. you know I'm exhausted when I didn't even think.. "why the hell is my fluid low?". I bet its from a gasket or something. I don't have any stains in the driveway so I'll just take it to the dealership and have them fix it... still under warranty. Thanks for pointing that out!

Have read where the steering hydraulic system in these trucks can be prone to having some air trapped in the lines from original assembly, and can take quite a while to work it's way out.
Most likely this is what you just experienced.

The steering fluid level dropped in my truck about 6 months ago after putting about 18K miles on it, which I attributed to this.
Same as in your case, there were no signs of any leakage anywhere, though it wasn't low enough on my truck to cause any issues with the operation of the steering.
Topped it off, and has stayed right at the full mark since.

 

[BryanM]

Have read where the steering hydraulic system in these trucks can be prone to having some air trapped in the lines from original assembly, and can take quite a while to work it's way out.
Most likely this is what you just experienced.

The steering fluid level dropped in my truck about 6 months ago after putting about 18K miles on it, which I attributed to this.
Same as in your case, there were no signs of any leakage anywhere, though it wasn't low enough on my truck to cause any issues with the operation of the steering.
Topped it off, and has stayed right at the full mark since.

Wow.. makes a lot of sense.. I got this at 24k miles.. No sign of the leakage. just topped off so we shall see. Thanks for the info!

Sponsored