Pulling to the right

[Bulletbill]

Could use some advice.
Vehicle: 2021 JLUR 3.6 with 25,000 miles.

Dealer recently replaced my steering dampener. The vehicle was there for about two and a half weeks. When I got it back it started pulling decently to the right. It tracked straight prior to taking it in.

When I called to inform them that it now pulled to the right they stated that there was no way it could be from the dampener replacement. They said I could bring it back in for an alignment, but I would have to pay out of pocket as it wouldn’t be covered by the warranty. I stated that if I had to pay out pocket then I would take it to a local shop since their location was about 40 mins away.

The shop found the caster on the front passenger side was out by approx 1.9 degrees and the rear axle thrust angle was at a -0.21 percent which they thought was causing the issue. They said they couldn’t adjust either because the stock control arms were not adjustable.

The tech said it looked like it should be covered by warranty, however the dealer hasn’t returned my calls yet. They said if they didn’t, then it would be worth me upgrading to adjustable control arms.

Anyone else have this issue, or can offer advice? Thanks in advance.

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[AcesandEights]

The dealership is right. A damper wouldn't cause it to pull, and it wouldn't impact your alignment. They are unrelated.

If it sat there that long, I'd check your tire pressure. If it sat in the same place, one side of the vehicle likely was in the sun while the other was not. The pressure between sides may be off significantly until the tires warm up. That would account for any immediate different in pulling, but would go away.

 

[Fonzilla85]

Wild how the dealer kept the Jeep for that long just to swap the steering dampener.

 

[Bulletbill]

The dealership is right. A damper wouldn't cause it to pull, and it wouldn't impact your alignment. They are unrelated.

If it sat there that long, I'd check your tire pressure. If it sat in the same place, one side of the vehicle likely was in the sun while the other was not. The pressure between sides may be off significantly until the tires warm up. That would account for any immediate different in pulling, but would go away.

Definitely not tire pressure, have about 300 miles on it since then and all have shown equal pressure.

 

[Bulletbill]

Wild how the dealer kept the Jeep for that long just to swap the steering dampener.

I wondered after the fact if something else didn’t happen while it was there, but I can’t see any damage and neither could the shop that checked the alignment. The dealer said the dampener was back ordered which explained the wait.

 

[AcesandEights]

You have a solid (fixed) axle front and rear. There isn't any adjustment. Adjustable control arms would allow you to adjust caster. The rest of those numbers are fixed...well, the tie rod would allow adjustment but that's not out of spec.

 

[Bulletbill]

You have a solid (fixed) axle front and rear. There isn't any adjustment. Adjustable control arms would allow you to adjust caster. The rest of those numbers are fixed.

I’m not great with suspension components, but wouldn’t adjustable control arms fix the rear axel angle?

 

[AcesandEights]

There isn't anything wrong with the rear angle. Oh, and no they wouldn't.

 

[#4Jeep 1st Wrangler]

Could use some advice.
Vehicle: 2021 JLUR 3.6 with 25,000 miles.

Dealer recently replaced my steering dampener. The vehicle was there for about two and a half weeks. When I got it back it started pulling decently to the right. It tracked straight prior to taking it in.

When I called to inform them that it now pulled to the right they stated that there was no way it could be from the dampener replacement. They said I could bring it back in for an alignment, but I would have to pay out of pocket as it wouldn’t be covered by the warranty. I stated that if I had to pay out pocket then I would take it to a local shop since their location was about 40 mins away.

The shop found the caster on the front passenger side was out by approx 1.9 degrees and the rear axle thrust angle was at a -0.21 percent which they thought was causing the issue. They said they couldn’t adjust either because the stock control arms were not adjustable.

The tech said it looked like it should be covered by warranty, however the dealer hasn’t returned my calls yet. They said if they didn’t, then it would be worth me upgrading to adjustable control arms.

Anyone else have this issue, or can offer advice? Thanks in advance.

Those specs will NOT cause any pull issues. (The slightly higher caster on right front could cause slight drift to left if any direction). Vehicle will drift/pull to the lower caster side.
The difference is minimal.
I suspect possibly they had front tires off? Could be a tire pull? Swap front tires side to side and see if pull is eliminated, or pulls to the opposite direction....
Those specs are almost perfect....

 

[kah.mun.rah]

It might just be a Jeep thing. My Jeep wanders but diving it overtime I become accustomed to it and don't notice it anymore. Whenever I go on vacation and drive a rental car for a week I come back and swear that someone messed with my Jeep because of how squirrely it is. I would just drive it for another week or so and then see if it still bothers you.

 

[Bulletbill]

There isn't anything wrong with the rear angle. Oh, and no they wouldn't.

Appreciate the insight, the mechanic who did the check was the one that said it would correct the pull, why I figured I’d put it out to the group.

 

[mwilk012]

You're doing the numbers wrong. The caster isn't "out by 1.9 degrees", it's out by .1 degrees. Also, "pulling to the right" is not the same as the steering wheel being off center slightly. A pressurized steering stabilizer will cause a pull.

 

[mwilk012]

Appreciate the insight, the mechanic who did the check was the one that said it would correct the pull, why I figured I’d put it out to the group.

These people are generally not used to dealing with solid axle vehicles. There are very few left.

 

[Bulletbill]

It might just be a Jeep thing. My Jeep wanders but diving it overtime I become accustomed to it and don't notice it anymore. Whenever I go on vacation and drive a rental car for a week I come back and swear that someone messed with my Jeep because of how squirrely it is. I would just drive it for another week or so and then see if it still bothers you.

It’s been a few weeks, never had issues before so not sure what happened. It’s not that it wanders, just a steady pull to the right and starting to see wear on the outside of the tire

 

[mwilk012]

Rotate your tires and recheck.

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