Steer like Xterra

[KleetusVanDamme]

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.

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[KleetusVanDamme]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

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.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

Here’s that printout. I hope someone sees room for improvement.

 

[Rubi6mt]

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.

 

[GATORB8]

Here’s that printout. I hope someone sees room for improvement.

Looks pretty solid to be honest.

 

[YBABRAT]

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.

 

[roaniecowpony]

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.

 

[KleetusVanDamme]

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.

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