How to tighten steering.

[TJ&JL]

[MEDIA

Thanks! I watched the videos before (they are for the JK, but same adjustment of course). How did you hold the allen wrench in place if you used a socket? The video shows to use an open ended wrench so you can use an allen wrench to hold it in place, then adjust 1/8 of a turn, then re-tighten the the nut while holding the allen wrench at the 1/8 turn point.

I broke the nut loose using a socket,backed it off half a turn. The allen screw will move with it. I then held the nut steady with a wrench , used a Hex socket with extensions and turned
the allen screw clockwise a little less than 1/8 a turn. The factory marked the nut,allen screw and box with paint so it's easy to see how far you turned it. Then tighten the nut.

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[jeremyjeep]

[MEDIA


I broke the nut loose using a socket,backed it off half a turn. The allen screw will move with it. I then held the nut steady with a wrench , used a Hex socket with extensions and turned
the allen screw clockwise a little less than 1/8 a turn. The factory marked the nut,allen screw and box with paint so it's easy to see how far you turned it. Then tighten the nut.

How did you get the wrench in there? I can't even get my hands past the hoses, etc. Were you able to reach it from underneath perhaps? And did your adjustment fix the lose steering?

 

[TJ&JL]

How did you get the wrench in there? I can't even get my hands past the hoses, etc. Were you able to reach it from underneath perhaps? And did your adjustment fix the lose steering?

I did it from the top. There is even less room from the bottom. Put the box end wrench on with my left hand between the alternator and air hose, put the hex socket and extensions on the left side of the radiator hose with my right hand. It was a bi_ _ _ but doable would be easier with a second person. Yes it fixed the loose steering. I drove 60 on a windy road when before I wasn't comfortable driving that fast on a straight road. Joke, Why don't JL owners do the Jeep wave? Answer, Because they are afraid to take their hands off the steering wheel.

 

[jeremyjeep]

I did it from the top. There is even less room from the bottom. Put the box end wrench on with my left hand between the alternator and air hose, put the hex socket and extensions on the left side of the radiator hose with my right hand. It was a bi_ _ _ but doable would be easier with a second person. Yes it fixed the loose steering. I drove 60 on a windy road when before I wasn't comfortable driving that fast on a straight road. Joke, Why don't JL owners do the Jeep wave? Answer, Because they are afraid to take their hands off the steering wheel.

LMAO @ the joke. Thank you VERY much for this info. I will attempt this adjustment when it is daylight out tomorrow.

 

[Four Flusher]

I'll be following this tread, i've got 800 miles, had my wife drive today, watched her consistently adjust the steering wheel to keep us tracking straight. Something's not right.

 

[jebjkey]

I attempted to adjust mine today but the locking nut and the adjusting screw are stuck together. I was able to loosen the locking nut from the steering gear but I was not able to move the adjusting screw separate from the locking nut. Almost stripped out the allen head in the process. Penetrating oil was no help.

Any ideas how to get the adjusting screw free from the locking nut?

 

[Sftdyna0326$]

This is a copy and paste of Fatboy01’s post in an earlier thread... there are plenty of video on the procedure.. I recommend always doing this on a cold tire.

*CHALK TEST:

Instructions:

-In the morning, before sun beats down on your tires and before you drive the truck-

1. Fill the tires to a good starting pressure. If you are unsure what pressure to start with then subtract 10 percent from the manufacturer's maximum inflation pressure on the side of the tire. If, for example, the maximum is 40 psi, then 10 percent of 40 is 4. Subtract the 10 percent value from the maximum psi value. So, 40 - 4 = 36. Use 36 psi in your tires. You could also use the following calculation for the starting pressure.
   • Weight of vehicle / (Manufacturers weight rating x 4)) x Manufacturers inflation pressure at weight rating
2. Drive to a flat area. This can be your driveway or the street in front of your house. Just make sure there aren't a lot of cracks, bumps or pot holes in the ground.
3. Using chalk, draw a thick, straight line across the width of the tire.
4. Use Test Variance 1 or Test Variance 2 for the completion of the instructions.

Test Variance 1

1. Drive the truck forward at least one-full truck length.
2. Inspect the chalk on the ground. A tire with the proper air pressure should press the chalk line evenly across the ground. This means you'll see the entire chalk line imprinted on the ground. If your tire is over-inflated, you'll only see a small portion of line in the center. If you're tire is underinflated, you'll see only the sides of the lines since the middle of the tire is not making contact with the ground.
3. Adjust your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results and try again until you get the chalk line to press evenly across the ground.

Test Variance 2

1. Drive the truck to the end of the street and back or around the block.
2. Inspect the chalk on the tire. A tire with the proper air pressure will show the chalk evenly worn across the tire. If your tire is over-inflated, the center of the line will be worn more than the edges. If you're tire is underinflated, the outer edges of the line will be worn more than the center.
3. Adjust your tire's air pressure according to the chalk test results and try again until you get the chalk line to evenly wear across the tire.

Over-Inflated = More wear on the center of the tire = center of chalk line visible on ground = chalk line worn more in center

Under-Inflated = More wear on the outer edges of the tire = outer edges of chalk line visible on ground = chalk line worn more on outer edges

Back in an earlier life chalk test was a thing when checking for proper tire contact. I had owned a repair/tire center and we were all into hot rods and jeeps so using chalk and setting the street down really did tell the whole story. Last night I pulled over on the service road chalked the tires and drove a straight line for about half a mile and the tire at 37 was almost at full contact so I went to 35 and within another half mile after rechalking the tire made total contact. I’m staying at 35 as my wife claims it rides better then 37 ( whatever ) and I don’t care about gas mileage but feel the tire will wear better at 35. As I mentioned in an earlier post my steering is absolutely perfect after two days and 800 miles, it was all over the road when I first picked it up.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

@Sftdyna0326$

I agree with your wife, I am running 35#.

Also, chalk test indicates 35# is aok.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...do-a-chalk-test-to-determine.4622/#post-92718

I might mention that yesterday, I adjusted the telescoping steering wheel so it is close to me when driving. I'm finding steering more controlled with steering wheel closer to me.

 

[Sftdyna0326$]

@Sftdyna0326$

I agree with your wife, I am running 35#.

Also, chalk test indicates 35# is aok.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...do-a-chalk-test-to-determine.4622/#post-92718

I might mention that yesterday, I adjusted the telescoping steering wheel so it is close to me when driving. I'm finding steering more controlled with steering wheel closer to me.

That’s where I am staying! The truck is nite and day better then before and I believe everyone should give it some time before taking extreme measures. Adjusting the steering box can be a real double edge sword and should honestly be done as a last resort by the dealer! We drove home last nite with my wife driving and she could not believe how that steering changed in two days.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

That’s where I am staying! The truck is nite and day better then before and I believe everyone should give it some time before taking extreme measures. Adjusting the steering box can be a real double edge sword and should honestly be done as a last resort by the dealer! We drove home last nite with my wife driving and she could not believe how that steering changed in two days.

I think fooling with the steering box is a mistake!

I reigned in most of my steering issues with tire pressure adjustment, getting the steering wheel closer to me and well, just getting used to the vehicle itself.

IF, adjusting the steering box is a plus, I will have the dealership do it. I don't let them do much on my vehicle but that would be something I would leave to the dealer.

 

[subiescott77]

800 miles here and my steering is perfect now! And that’s a rave when your driving in NY on the Long Island expressway.

Get an inflatable person and HOV that business!

 

[subiescott77]

I think fooling with the steering box is a mistake!

I reigned in most of my steering issues with tire pressure adjustment, getting the steering wheel closer to me and well, just getting used to the vehicle itself.

IF, adjusting the steering box is a plus, I will have the dealership do it. I don't let them do much on my vehicle but that would be something I would leave to the dealer.

I agree, that's not our job to mess around with for one...and two...liability is now off the dealership should something happen. Edit...oh and three...I don't think there is really a steering problem.

 

[Sftdyna0326$]

I did it from the top. There is even less room from the bottom. Put the box end wrench on with my left hand between the alternator and air hose, put the hex socket and extensions on the left side of the radiator hose with my right hand. It was a bi_ _ _ but doable would be easier with a second person. Yes it fixed the loose steering. I drove 60 on a windy road when before I wasn't comfortable driving that fast on a straight road. Joke, Why don't JL owners do the Jeep wave? Answer, Because they are afraid to take their hands off the steering wheel.

John, no joke when we first picked up our JL my wife actually asked me why I wasn’t waving back and that was my exact comment! Now after a couple days, reducing tire pressure just letting things settle in I can wave with both hands.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

John, no joke when we first picked up our JL my wife actually asked me why I wasn’t waving back and that was my exact comment! Now after a couple days, reducing tire pressure just letting things settle in I can wave with both hands.

You may also find adjusting the telescoping steering wheel closer to you may be a plus. I know it made a difference for me.

 

[Sftdyna0326$]

You may also find adjusting the telescoping steering wheel closer to you may be a plus. I know it made a difference for me.

I like the wheel close also! It wasn’t till we were half way home that I figured out how to actually do it!

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