Do all Wranglers handle like this?

[Jtclayton612]

It was just question for those who own, or have driven, many other vehicles. If a Wrangler typically feels like what I described - compared to other vehicles - then what we have is "normal". If no one else ever noticed what I described then I would say what we have is not normal.

From all the replies here it seems it's normal.

Now, when he first bought the Jeep it had terrible "death wobble" but that was something entirely different and was due to a defective steering damper. What I'm talking about here is not that. The dealership replaced the damper with an HD aftermarket part and it fixed that problem completely.

What I'm talking about here is the lack of return-to-center force that most modern vehicles have. This Jeep doesn't have any - let go of the wheel in a turn and it will KEEP turning. To me that is odd and got my attention real quick the first time I made a right turn at a corner!

But my son loves it and he's used to it. I just had to ask here to make sure it was "normal".

Steering damper doesn’t fix death wobble, it just masks the problem, likely something else is still wrong.

Also my Jeep will return the center although it’s not as forceful as the sportier vehicles I’ve driven in the past. But I’m not expecting it to be like a bmw or Lexus with sportier feel and IFS.

Continuing the turn simply isn’t right imo.

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[old mike]

Look at the OP's 25posts posts. He does not like Wranglers IMHO. Ignore.

We've been trolled?

 

[Jebb]

Look at the OP's 25posts posts. He does not like Wranglers IMHO. Ignore.

Why do so many threads on forums like this eventually go off the rails at some point? I do not dislike Wranglers. I came here asking a question and most replied with useful input.

My other 25 posts were likely about the serious death wobble issue we had we we first bought the Jeep which turned out to be due to a defective (totally non-working) steering damper. I came to this forum looking for answers. And yes, after spending $60,000 on the vehicle I was not very happy at the time. That problem has since been solved.

Steering damper doesn’t fix death wobble, it just masks the problem, likely something else is still wrong.

It does if it wasn't working at all. The new damper 100% fixed the problem. Completely remove yours and see how it handles.

We've been trolled?

Nope. This thread was answered over an hour ago and I thanked those who provided helpful info for their input.

 

[Grayone]

May I suggest a Tahoe. No death wobble, no steering issues, and lots of room to carry all your prejudices.

 

[ErAcEr]

Go to a random stealership, take one of their on the lot wranglers for a drive. If it does not behave the same then something is wrong.

 

[TheBirdie72]

My 2021 two door was a little loose steering when I first got it, but not overly-so. I did have to turn the wheel a bit more myself coming out of turns.

But after adding RC lower control arms and setting castor to 6.5-ish, steering wheel returns to center comfortably now. Also tracks dead straight down highway with just a single finger on the wheel. Longer LCA’s for the win! ?

 

[Punkn89]

I love when people say they spent $xxxxx on a Jeep and thought they wouldn’t have to spend more money ?.

Cmon now, everyone knows what Jeep stands for!

 

[Sarge21]

Is this typical of how all Jeep Wranglers behave?

No. This is my first Wrangler and it does not behave any differently in regards to return to center than any of the other vehicles that I have owned.

 

[58Willys]

I read this thread earlier today. Just got back from running to the store - my 2018 4 door returns to center pretty well. Not quite like a Porsche 911, but fine for a Jeep.

So no, IMO your son's jeep is not normal. Have the steering feel recalls (Y95) been performed?

 

[MesaAZGuy]

I love when people say they spent $xxxxx on a Jeep and thought they wouldn’t have to spend more money ?.

Cmon now, everyone knows what Jeep stands for!

I'm still emptying my pockets as we speak! Gotta love these Black Friday specials. (I haven't found any but it gives me the excuse to buy crap!)

 

[Gripster]

Do you know the caster angle?

 

[Jtclayton612]

It does if it wasn't working at all. The new damper 100% fixed the problem. Completely remove yours and see how it handles.

That’s the thing, you *should* and are able to drive a solid axle vehicle without a steering stabilizer. It’s just masking the problem, something on that front end is likely loose and whoever was fixing it was lazy.

 

[TaiMc]

... This Jeep doesn't have any - let go of the wheel in a turn and it will KEEP turning. To me that is odd and got my attention real quick the first time I made a right turn at a corner!..

Yeahh....I don't believe that's "normal". Mine needs some adjustment to come back to center (and this has never bothered me much...I know they handle differently), but if I turn my wheel and let go...it's not just gonna sit there and not return back. It almost sounds like he has no power steering?

 

[Beaching631]

OK I just tried this early this morning since there was no one on the road. Pulled hard through a right turn and let go of the wheel. It rotated back to center no problem, just as any other vehicle would. I would say that what you're describing is not normal. One thing to add...my steering got a lot tighter and user-friendly once I did that damper recall. So if that was never performed, maybe something to check into (I realize that your son's Wrangler is newer so maybe that damper problem has been fixed in subsequent model years?)

 

[BXFXJeep]

My 4 door returns to centre, and I don't have to do any corrections after making turns, mind you I have always driven a Wrangler, as far as I can remember I don't think any of my past Wranglers had an issue.

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