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Yellow Cake Kid
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Rack and pinion?
Luxy60
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- #5
Yes, rack in pinon in the Subaru. Very tight. My last Wrangler was a 1990 YJ ('82 CJ before that) so needless to say I've been out of Jeeps for a while. I'm aware FCA changed the gear housing from aluminum to steel in 2020 to address loose/ dead zone issues but I still really don't have a "feel" for what is normal with this type of gear?
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Bulletbill
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I’m not sure it’s normal on a MY21. Mine has no play and tracks straight. The new steel steering box was supposed to correct many of the previous issues. No harm in taking it to the dealer.
Bulletbill
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Heavy, when compared to my wife’s Honda Pilot.
alparmer
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I’m beginning to understand that 1/4-1/2 is normal for a JL. Not normal in other models since I’ve had a JK without play and many other vehicles without rack and pinion that were tight. I think what it comes down to is that somewhere someone screwed up when they came out with the JL design. Then they patch things up with a new steering box(probably forced to) They slapped them in the newer JLs and with most they weren’t even adjusted properly. Then you have a bunch of people, including me, that had to adjust them to get that 1/4-1/2 because it was in inches before. I don’t drink the dead zone kool aid. Maybe with lots of off roading and higher miles.
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alparmer
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I’m beginning to understand that 1/4-1/2 is normal for a JL. Not normal in other models since I’ve had a JK without play and many other vehicles without rack and pinion that were tight. I think what it comes down to is that somewhere someone screwed up when they came out with the JL design. Then they patch things up with a new steering box(probably forced to) They slapped them in the newer JLs and with most they weren’t even adjusted properly. Then you have a bunch of people, including me, that had to adjust them to get that 1/4-1/2 because it was in inches before. I don’t drink the dead zone kool aid. Maybe with lots of off roading and higher miles.
Edit: I think I also drink the dead zone kool aid because I could battle with the dealer until it's fixed....if at all possible. Problem is that I've had several Wranglers and regret selling them. My wife thinks I'm crazy for buying a Jeep. She hasn't driven this one yet. If she were to drive it before the steering box adjustment, she would have crashed or get pulled over for driving like a drunk. And, hit me in the head with a pan for buying it. lol. I think even with the 1/2 play she would have issues. Like going through an idle only zone in a boat. Damn thing porposing all over the place until you get the hang of it. I think that is what most JL owners are doing. Getting used it. But at the end, don't tell me it's normal. Not for a car or suv.
Edit: I think I also drink the dead zone kool aid because I could battle with the dealer until it's fixed....if at all possible. Problem is that I've had several Wranglers and regret selling them. My wife thinks I'm crazy for buying a Jeep. She hasn't driven this one yet. If she were to drive it before the steering box adjustment, she would have crashed or get pulled over for driving like a drunk. And, hit me in the head with a pan for buying it. lol. I think even with the 1/2 play she would have issues. Like going through an idle only zone in a boat. Damn thing porposing all over the place until you get the hang of it. I think that is what most JL owners are doing. Getting used it. But at the end, don't tell me it's normal. Not for a car or suv.
Luxy60
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- #12
It definitely takes a little getting use to, especially at HWY speeds, if you're coming from a rack and pinion vehicle. It doesn't bother my wife and she typically drives a Toyota Sienna. The steering in our '21 JLU Sport is not too bad as far as play/ dead spot but what bothers me most is that the steering wheel was not quit centered from the factory and it's really noticeable when on a road with a decent crown. The dealer acknowledged it's off a bit but the sr. tech said that the drag link adjustment is pretty course (not sure if this is true or not) and he could end up making it worse. I think the real reason is because to center it properly is trial and error, adjust/ drive, adjust again/ drive.... and they don't want to spend the time to do it right. I'll probably end up doing it myself at some point when I'm feeling ambitious.
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