Sponsored

Steer like Xterra

OP
OP

KleetusVanDamme

Active Member
First Name
Marty
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
36
Reaction score
9
Location
Piedmont, North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
2023 Wrangler Unlimited JL Earl “Lt. Dan”
Wife has a difficult time on the highway at speed. Also, when an 18 wheeler passes, she / we get pushed around a good bit. When I drive it, I feel that the steering is very loose with a lot of play in the steering wheel.
Sponsored

 
OP
OP

KleetusVanDamme

Active Member
First Name
Marty
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
36
Reaction score
9
Location
Piedmont, North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
2023 Wrangler Unlimited JL Earl “Lt. Dan”
What specifically is your steering concern?
Wife has a difficult time on the highway at speed. Also, when an 18 wheeler passes, she / we get pushed around a good bit. When I drive it, I feel that the steering is very loose with a lot of play in the steering wheel.
 

rcadden

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ricky
Joined
May 4, 2021
Threads
89
Messages
2,932
Reaction score
6,321
Location
Asheville, NC
Vehicle(s)
2021 Hydro Blue Sahara Altitude
Build Thread
Link
Occupation
Marketing
Clubs
 
Wife has a difficult time on the highway at speed. Also, when an 18 wheeler passes, she / we get pushed around a good bit. When I drive it, I feel that the steering is very loose with a lot of play in the steering wheel.
That's all "just Jeep stuff".

Jeep Wranglers have the aerodynamics of a shoebox, so they'll get pushed around a lot in any wind - heavy cross-winds, 18-wheeler drafts, etc. This is also what gives them crappy MPG (among other things).
 

GATORB8

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
May 30, 2021
Threads
29
Messages
8,830
Reaction score
11,726
Location
CLT NC
Vehicle(s)
21 JLURe, 06 LJ, 25 HDZR2
Wife has a difficult time on the highway at speed. Also, when an 18 wheeler passes, she / we get pushed around a good bit. When I drive it, I feel that the steering is very loose with a lot of play in the steering wheel.
With proper adjustment, you should be able to basically one finger it at speed. Your issues there may be exacerbating 18 wheeler impact.

Do you have a recent alignment? Can you post the printout?

Caster (adjusted with the control arms if adjustable) impact steer ahead/return to center pretty good. Both the published specs and factory configuration are too low to start with, and 6 degrees is widely agreed on the forum as best.

Toe (or lack thereof) can make the steering feel jumpy if out of spec. It's adjusted via the tie rod and is adjustible whether stock or aftermarket.

Tire Pressure, too high or low, can make the above issues worse.
 

TXSquid78

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2024
Threads
19
Messages
211
Reaction score
129
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2024 Willys 4xe; 2005 Corvette
No experience in lifted jeeps only trucks. That being said, in either case, most people think they can put a lift kit on and just drive but a little taller. The fact is that you are changing pinion angle, larger tires on a smaller axle, gears, etc. These things need to be taken into account with expectations.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP

KleetusVanDamme

Active Member
First Name
Marty
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
36
Reaction score
9
Location
Piedmont, North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
2023 Wrangler Unlimited JL Earl “Lt. Dan”
With proper adjustment, you should be able to basically one finger it at speed. Your issues there may be exacerbating 18 wheeler impact.

Do you have a recent alignment? Can you post the printout?

Caster (adjusted with the control arms if adjustable) impact steer ahead/return to center pretty good. Both the published specs and factory configuration are too low to start with, and 6 degrees is widely agreed on the forum as best.

Toe (or lack thereof) can make the steering feel jumpy if out of spec. It's adjusted via the tie rod and is adjustible whether stock or aftermarket.

Tire Pressure, too high or low, can make the above issues worse.
Jeep Wrangler JL Steer like Xterra IMG_4928
 

Rubi6mt

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
745
Reaction score
1,442
Location
Nj
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLUR 6mt
You will need to manage expectations. This is a SFA vehicle designed for offroad. It will not handle like a vehicle with IFS.

You can optimize alignment, add a sector shaft brace, change the DL/TB/TR plus add a a better gearbox ie PSC Adventure kit and it will still handle like a SFA vehicle, albeit one that's much "tighter".

It comes down to are you willing to deal with the Jeeps handling quirks and features or maybe do a little soul searching and get an equally cool vehicle that has IFS.

For me my Jeep is absolutely worth the steering feel, but then again I'm into offroading/rockcrawling and soon to order 38 Nittos RGs along with the PSC Adventure setup to steer in the rocks.

Good luck with whatever path you choose.
 

YBABRAT

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 12, 2024
Threads
55
Messages
1,409
Reaction score
1,355
Location
VIRGINIA
Vehicle(s)
2019 2 Door Rubicon X Wannabe
Occupation
None... but it pays well.
One thing I learned driving the Rubicon... if you roll with the feedback of the suspension, steering becomes more stable than having to fight bumps and jars and correcting. I can follow sporty cars without much effort going up the twisty mountain highway where most will slow to 55 to 60MPH. I looked and saw I was easily doing 70, bumps, dips and all.

For being a brick on wheels handling gets better with speed.
 

Sponsored

roaniecowpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Threads
193
Messages
12,908
Reaction score
20,414
Location
SoCal
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR, 14 GMC 1500 CC All TERRAIN
Occupation
Retired Engineer
Here’s that printout. I hope someone sees room for improvement.
Those number are fine. That's not your issue.
What trackbar do you have? How old are the trackbar bushings? What balljoints? How many miles on those balljoints? These two components are very high on the list of culprits that can cause loose steering. A JLU is a long enough wheelbase that the factory spec caster works pretty well when the steering components are tight. When it's right, your steering can allow you can cruise down the hwy at 75-80 mph with 2 fingers and barely moving the wheel.
 
OP
OP

KleetusVanDamme

Active Member
First Name
Marty
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
36
Reaction score
9
Location
Piedmont, North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
2023 Wrangler Unlimited JL Earl “Lt. Dan”
Those number are fine. That's not your issue.
What trackbar do you have? How old are the trackbar bushings? What balljoints? How many miles on those balljoints? These two components are very high on the list of culprits that can cause loose steering. A JLU is a long enough wheelbase that the factory spec caster works pretty well when the steering components are tight. When it's right, your steering can allow you can cruise down the hwy at 75-80 mph with 2 fingers and barely moving the wheel.
Stock everything; track bar, ball joints etc.
Sponsored

 
 







Top