How to tighten steering.

[digitalbliss]

I would say that my experience is not that the JL drifts as much as it doesn't self center like I would expect and induces way too much oversteer/ over correction.

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[spiritrider1]

Just got my new JLUR and have notices the steering is tight, problem is that it doesn't want to return to center on its own after turn. After driving older pickups and jeeps I don't feel its loose in fact it feels relatively tight. Not alot of dead area in wheel.I'm going to wait and see if it the return to center loosens up after about 1000 miles in case it's just tight front components that just need to break in. After that I'll have alignment check, specifically the caster which helps wheels track true. I had the same issue on my older ford pickup. Wandered everywhere until I changed caster which stopped the wander.

I agree with the "too tight" feeling. Any steering correction required an opposite correction to bring it back to neutral. It seems to have gotten better on its own but mostly after I installed a Rough Country steering stabilizer on it. It now feels almost normal (as in car/pickup feel). Tire pressures have been consistently 36psi. I did swap out the nasty Deuler H/T highway tires for the A/T's I found online. But those are still stock sizes.
Much happier now. I will be installing a 2.5" Rough country lift next weekend and we'll see how she handles after that.

 

[laueddy]

I would say that my experience is not that the JL drifts as much as it doesn't self center like I would expect and induces way too much oversteer/ over correction.

Had the same experience when I had my test drive. When I made the first right turn coming out from the parking lot, it didn't self center quick enough that it pull itself to the bicycle lane and I need to correct it. I since drive it like my sport cars, 2 hands on the wheel, and do all the fine steering adjustment without sliding the steering wheel, but that only works with some turns where the turn radius is within my arm's motion. (Turning ratio?)

 

[JeepDrvr2018]

I test drove both a Sahara and a Rubicon. I though the Sahara was more tight in the steering. I would guess it's the tires they put on them. I would buy a Rubi, but would seriously consider swapping the wheels and tires from a Sahara since I don't 4X4 that much, but want a vehicle capable of it for when the weather sucks. We do go down some Forest Service Roads around here and would enjoy that in a Rubi as well. Not going to take a 40K vehicle and bash it around on a bunch of rocks. If I want to do that I will get a Kubota ATV, cheaper and better equipped for that. Now, if you are serious about spending the money on one of these, my personal opinion is get the 6 speed, why? First, you will get 100% more control of the tongue/RPS with a manual than an auto, even shifting the auto manually, you just have better control with a manual. I have driven manual transmissions for years, and can do lots more with one than any auto on the road. Plus unlike the fellow in another thread, I doubt you would get a bad one, like an auto, less parts to break more simple. Opinion only, you made your money, you spend it like you want.

 

[TJ&JL]

There's another thread about this subject but it turned into a debate on the effectiveness of buying new steering stabilizers, so I wanted to try again.

What's your opinion on the best way to remove dead zone play in the neutral position of the steering wheel, thereby making highway strait line driving easier. Has anybody messed with the steering box yet?

I have the same problem. The stearing box has an adjustment screw on top of it , but I haven't messed with it yet. Took it to a dealership last week and they said everything was in spec, and compaired it to another one on the lot and they said it was the same.

 

[spiritrider1]

I have the same problem. The stearing box has an adjustment screw on top of it , but I haven't messed with it yet. Took it to a dealership last week and they said everything was in spec, and compaired it to another one on the lot and they said it was the same.

My dealer did the same. Said it was "normal" and that they test drove another vehicle on the lot to verify. Must wonder how many times they have to test drive another vehicle to know if something is normal or not... BTW - call me cynical, but I didn't believe them.

 

[WXman]

I have the same problem. The stearing box has an adjustment screw on top of it , but I haven't messed with it yet. Took it to a dealership last week and they said everything was in spec, and compaired it to another one on the lot and they said it was the same.

My dealer did the same. Said it was "normal" and that they test drove another vehicle on the lot to verify. Must wonder how many times they have to test drive another vehicle to know if something is normal or not... BTW - call me cynical, but I didn't believe them.

When I reported the problem to Jeep via their customer care line, the first thing they asked was "have you mentioned this concern to your dealership?" to which I replied that I've been driving for 23 years and I've had about that same number of vehicles and one thing I know for sure is that the dealership is going to call it "normal" and send me on my way, so why waste my time?

One of three things is going to happen. 1) FCA is going to acknowledge it and issue a recall or TSB to address it or 2) We're going to suck it up and live with it or 3) The aftermarket will come to the rescue. But at no point in time is a dealership going to help us with this issue. There are too many potential variables and therefore potential things to blame it on. It's not the same as the washer nozzle which leaks all over the rear glass and leaves a stain; that is clearly a black and white problem with one explanation.

 

[smuddy]

When I reported the problem to Jeep via their customer care line, the first thing they asked was "have you mentioned this concern to your dealership?" to which I replied that I've been driving for 23 years and I've had about that same number of vehicles and one thing I know for sure is that the dealership is going to call it "normal" and send me on my way, so why waste my time?

One of three things is going to happen. 1) FCA is going to acknowledge it and issue a recall or TSB to address it or 2) We're going to suck it up and live with it or 3) The aftermarket will come to the rescue. But at no point in time is a dealership going to help us with this issue. There are too many potential variables and therefore potential things to blame it on. It's not the same as the washer nozzle which leaks all over the rear glass and leaves a stain; that is clearly a black and white problem with one explanation.

^^^^ That is what I'm afraid of, but I'm going to try anyway (appt tomorrow). At a minimum, I'm going to force them to check the alignment and give me a printout of the toe and caster numbers. If those are in spec, then I guess I'll follow #2 and suck it up until hopefully #1 or #2 happens. So many on this forum say it's a jeep thing but I swear to you my JKUR I drove for 4 years wasn't nearly as bad as my JLUR is now...for whatever the reason is. (my tire pressure is at 33-34 cold and gets up to about 36 hot)

 

[BostonBilly]

When I finally pick mine up I am going straight across street to get a lifetime alignment to make sure the alignment is good

 

[Geral Hasten]

Just get used to it. I have a JK 2016 lifted , 35's, fox shocks and a JL 4 door Rubicon stock , the JL is superior to the JK it took me three months to get used to the tight steering, it is so tight every bump and unleveled part of the road makes me over steer so I wonder al over the road. Reminds me of my CJ's

 

[digitalbliss]

Just get used to it. I have a JK 2016 lifted , 35's, fox shocks and a JL 4 door Rubicon stock , the JL is superior to the JK it took me three months to get used to the tight steering, it is so tight every bump and unleveled part of the road makes me over steer so I wonder al over the road. Reminds me of my CJ's

This is part of the problem with this thread (sorry, not meaning to pick on you) the terminology being used is all over the place. Oversteer happens when a vehicle is loose and understeer when it is tight.

 

[JeepCares]

Just got my new JLUR and have notices the steering is tight, problem is that it doesn't want to return to center on its own after turn. After driving older pickups and jeeps I don't feel its loose in fact it feels relatively tight. Not alot of dead area in wheel.I'm going to wait and see if it the return to center loosens up after about 1000 miles in case it's just tight front components that just need to break in. After that I'll have alignment check, specifically the caster which helps wheels track true. I had the same issue on my older ford pickup. Wandered everywhere until I changed caster which stopped the wander.

Hi Shambler101,

We're sorry to hear that you have a concern with your steering in your new JL. If you decide to take your Jeep to the dealer, please feel free to send us a private message for additional assistance while in service.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[smuddy]

You are right in that it reminds me of my cj7 as well but it is because of how much play (dead spot) there was in that steering. Not tight at all!

 

[Torero]

I was one that complained about my steering when I first got the Jeep. After playing with tire pressure and mainly after 2000 miles I feel it drives as good as any other car.
I wish there was someone in the same city as me that is having issues so we could drive each other and compare.

 

[smuddy]

I was one that complained about my steering when I first got the Jeep. After playing with tire pressure and mainly after 2000 miles I feel it drives as good as any other car.
I wish there was someone in the same city as me that is having issues so we could drive each other and compare.

Good idea! Anyone in Atlanta area who says their steering is tight in the Atlanta area? And would you humor me for a meet up to compare? I'll buy you a beer for your trouble!

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