2021 Rubicon wandering

[Rodeoflyer]

If I'd paid $50-60 for my JL I'd have been really unhappy with the poor engineering. I think they really tried to save weight in the wrong areas. I first installed a Fox ATS steering stabilizer which put a 'band-aid' on the real issue, control arms (to correct caster) and track bars. Once I swapped in the aftermarket control arms and track bars it tracked straight as an arrow. I still have the old steering box with 1'' of center slop but it tracks so straight now it no longer bothers me. I can take my hands off the wheel at pretty much any speed on a smooth road.

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[JeepinJason33]

I have about 2,000 miles on my 2021 Rubicon, just got back from going over the 12k+ passes here and did not notice the wandering problems I am hearing about. Maybe because I am used to it coming from a TJ on one tons...

 

[Rodeoflyer]

I have about 2,000 miles on my 2021 Rubicon, just got back from going over the 12k+ passes here and did not notice the wandering problems I am hearing about. Maybe because I am used to it coming from a TJ on one tons...

It's very much relative

 

[rickinAZ]

Maybe because I am used to it coming from a TJ on one tons...

Exactly. And...those of us coming from JKs have the opposite issue. The JK steers better than the JL.

 

[Elsinore73]

I have a 2021 JLUR with about 1300 miles on it, running 315/70/17’s. Just took it on it’s first real highway drive, about 280 miles from NY to central VT. I thought it drove great for what it is. Yeah it wanders a little, wind pushes it around and the rear end can be hoppy over a good bump, but for a straight axle truck on 35’s it’s a pleasure. My old TJ was brutal on this trip. Now it’s certainly not my wife’s MDX on the highway but for a wrangler I was very impressed. All relative. If others are still having legit steering box issues on the 2021 that is unfortunate but my experience has been positive so far.

 

[DavidArmen]

Picked up my 2021 Rubicon on Oct. 3rd. It has the new steering gear box and it doesn't have any dead spot in the steering but it's very unpredictable at speeds over 45 MPH, it's hard to keep in the lane at 70+ and the steering feels loose. It wanders quite a bit. Super sensitive to grooves in the road or uneven roads. It responds when I turn the wheel it's just as if it needs a stiffer steering stabilizer or the toe is out. Anyone else have this issue on a 2021? Think I'm going to take it and have it looked at and maybe order a Falcon stabilizer or the Fox 2.0 adjustable ATS. Anyone have any reviews of either of those on here?

I would say that my 2021 JLUR is pretty much exactly the same. Perfect on the road but I have to keep adjusting on the freeway. Honestly, you get used to it. I did after about 5 weeks and now I don’t even think about it.

 

[DavidArmen]

I have 2021 JLUR with 500 miles and have not experienced this problem.

That’s awesome! Though you may be one of the extremely few!

 

[Friday2322]

I installed the longer Mopar lower control arms which increased the caster from 4+ to 6+. That really improved the straight line tracking.

Later,
Johnny

I had the same issue on mine and installed the longer lower Mopar control arms which made the steering better but it still wasn't quite right. I took it into the dealership and they tried to use that against me when I requested a new steering box. The service tech noted that I had "aftermarket Mopar" control arms and 35 inch tires. He backed off of that when I pointed out that they had Jeeps on the lot with the Mopar lift and 37's that drove better. I'm going on two months now waiting for my steering box.
The Mopar longer control arms are worth the $90.

 

[JeepCares]

Thank you for sharing your experience. If anyone has a 2021 Jeep Wrangler and is experiencing "loose/wandering" steering symptoms, please send our team a private message as soon as possible.

Darlene
Jeep Cares

 

[rickinAZ]

I had the same issue on mine and installed the longer lower Mopar control arms which made the steering better but it still wasn't quite right. I took it into the dealership and they tried to use that against me when I requested a new steering box. The service tech noted that I had "aftermarket Mopar" control arms and 35 inch tires. He backed off of that when I pointed out that they had Jeeps on the lot with the Mopar lift and 37's that drove better. I'm going on two months now waiting for my steering box.
The Mopar longer control arms are worth the $90.

Out of curiosity, did you mention the longer LCAs to him, or does he have super sharp eyes? That extra 1/4" would be hard to discern.

 

[entropy]

I am coming from a Jeep patriot, 2013 corolla and now have a 2020 corolla and a 2019 wrangler sport with rubicon suspension and longer LCAs. Old aluminum steering box. Absolutely zero steering issues. Go figure.

 

[Friday2322]

Out of curiosity, did you mention the longer LCAs to him, or does he have super sharp eyes? That extra 1/4" would be hard to discern.

No, I did not mention it to him but I didn't take the time to peel off the bar code stickers when I installed them either so that may have been a clue for him.

On a side note, the new steering box was installed about 3 weeks ago and it made a noticeable difference and I'm happy with how it drives now. I have a friend that just bought a 2020 JLUR and we drove each other's to compare, we both agreed mine drove better. I think he's going to try the longer lca's and see about getting the new steering box.

 

[Wolfparty]

I just took delivery of my 2021 JLUR yesterday from Southern California and drove it back up to the Bay Area.

Initially it was very difficult to stay within a lane. I eventually lowered the tire pressure a bit and that seemed to provide a slight improvement. Still plan to take it into the dealership tomorrow to have it looked at (along with an oil leak that I discovered when I went to check on it this morning).

My previous 2017 JKU with a 2.5” lift on 33s tracked straight as an arrow on the freeway.

 

[rickinAZ]

I just took delivery of my 2021 JLUR yesterday from Southern California and drove it back up to the Bay Area.

Initially it was very difficult to stay within a lane. I eventually lowered the tire pressure a bit and that seemed to provide a slight improvement. Still plan to take it into the dealership tomorrow to have it looked at (along with an oil leak that I discovered when I went to check on it this morning).

My previous 2017 JKU with a 2.5” lift on 33s tracked straight as an arrow on the freeway.

24.25" LCAs needed on a Rubicon to correct tracking. Longer yet if you lift it.

 

[rickinAZ]

Thank you for sharing your experience. If anyone has a 2021 Jeep Wrangler and is experiencing "loose/wandering" steering symptoms, please send our team a private message as soon as possible.

Darlene
Jeep Cares

You may want to ask Corporate to put longer LCAs on Rubicons. They are being delivered with too little caster in order to save money. Problem is, most of us end up financing the LCA fix caused by a known design shortfall. Otherwise, your dealers are suffering the death of 1,000 cuts having to deal with them downstream.

Such an easy fix. Please listen to your customers. That said, it's good that JeepCares is here.

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