Test drive

[shakooza]

I test drove a 2019 Moab and Rubicon today. The steering was better than the 2018 I tested but still not ideal. I noticed wandering on the highway and a dead spot. One handed steering wasnt possible on the freeway or even back roads.

Has anyone been able to achieve "sharp" and or accurate steering on their JL? I dont mind dropping the money on the Yeti /steersmart products if it is going to accomplish accurate steering. Im just wondering if it possible to get accurate tracking even with aftermarket support....

I dont think I would be able to live with the two Jeeps I tested today. I've owned several Jeeps and I dont remember steering/wandering to be as vague in any of my previous Jeeps. In my personal opinion my test drive did not reflect a "Jeep thing" but rather a JL thing...

Sponsored

 

[rallydefault]

I have a 2018 JLU Sport and have never had issues with steering. Haven't done a thing to it related to steering.

 

[shakooza]

I have a 2018 JLU Sport and have never had issues with steering. Haven't done a thing to it related to steering.

Is it sharp/accurate steering or do you have play in the steering wheel and or wandering?

 

[Stingrey]

I don't know what the odds are that a person can test drive 3 Wranglers, 2 model years and they all have this problem. Serious bad luck.
Mine is excellent, no dead spot and I drive it all day with one hand even at 70mph.

 

[Nomad]

I have a 2018 JLU Sport and have never had issues with steering. Haven't done a thing to it related to steering.

Same here. The tires were aired to 40 on delivery and I dropped them to 35. After that it’s as stable as it should be as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Carlton]

I've never felt sharp/tight/accurate steering on a jeep and I have owned many. The JL steering is the worst/ downright sketchy and I have driven a couple of them. I did steering linkage upgrades and it is better than stock but still has a dead area with some seesawing.

 

[rallydefault]

Is it sharp/accurate steering or do you have play in the steering wheel and or wandering?

It steers like a larger car is the best way I can describe it. I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, but yea...it steers like a big, higher-up car.

I learned how to drive in a GMC Yukon. Now THAT was like driving a dang boat; so much play in that wheel it was insane. This reminds me of a fraction of that. To say there is no play in the wheel whatsoever would be a lie. I don't feel any dead zone. I drive one-handed on highways going 70-80 mph, and I don't feel like I'm wrestling the wheel.

I feel comfortable weaving through tight spaces on the streets in my city.

Yea, I don't know how else to say it other than to provide anecdotes, but it feels accurate to me. I've owned some smaller cars and it doesn't steer like those, for sure. But it's not like this is a bucking bronco or anything. I didn't bat an eyelash when I test drove it, and I've had it for over a year now (pretty sure I have one from the initial builds, bought it late last January).

I read all the threads about the steering stuff and generally refrain from trying to speak up and be accused of anything because maybe people really are having issues. But I have to say (though you don't seem to be in this category because you've owned other jeeps), I do think a bunch of people are coming from smaller cars or more luxury cars (let's face it... better built cars) and are used to a certain tightness in the steering.

 

[danotje]

I had the same thought initially when we bought ours, but now I think it’s great. The first Sahara I drove and our Rubicon both felt like there’s some looseness on-center. Now that we’ve had it about 6 months, I don’t notice anything and drive one-handed at 65. Tracks fine and steers well. Note: it did not take 6 months to get used to it.

For me, I’ve never spent any time in a Jeep, so I came from much tighter steering. It reminds me of my non-assisted ‘64 Chevelle I had in HS. I could rock the steering wheel and not change course, but it tracked straight and true. The Jeep is tighter, but not sports car-like. I’m sure there’s legit problems out there, but it is a different vehicle. Good luck!

 

[jayvis]

Best advice to everyone is to drive with two hands on the wheel, even if you don't feel that you have a steering problem. If these vehicles were meant to be steered with one hand, they'd have a joystick instead of a steering wheel.

 

[Jeepsmashin]

With my JLUR I can steer with 1 finger and even my knees...

 

[TimmH]

When I first got my Sahara, it steered like a 1972 Buick. But after airing down the tires (42 from the dealer), it got better.

After changing my wheels and getting rid of the Bridgestone Duelers, it is 100% better.

 

[xeon]

My JLUR was a wanderer. In part due to the high tire pressures used at the dealers and in part due to just the way JLs were delivered. Since adding Steersmart...the JL is steady, even in high winds. I can confidently let go of the steering wheel and it will track perfectly straight. The feeling of it is what I expect. Better than a JK and not a good as a BMW. I would say it is pretty close to my Honda mini van at this point. Yes there are notable exceptions....such as going down a very bump road at high speed....but that is more due to the fact we have a solid axel vs independent suspension. But even on a severely bumpy road the Steersmarts prevents the death wobble and keeps the jeep very stable and easy to drive.

 

[Jrwfarm]

I came out of a 2017 JKU into a 2019 Moab 4 days ago. I had read so many steering threads but hoped my freshly built JLU would be one of the ones where people say they can drive with one finger. After driving on the stock KM2s at 35 psi for 260 miles I would say it’s about 15-20 percent more of a wanderer than my JK. I can’t say I notice a dead spot but it just takes more correction to stay straight than it should. It angers me because it’s an expensive vehicle that is supposed to be a major upgrade from the outgoing JK. I had a 79 International Scout with a Dana straight axle and it would drive with less effort and fatigue than my JL and the Scout steering components were worn out. F250’s have straight axles and drive like a dream. I just swapped for General ATX tires so maybe that will help some but seriously, the Scout didn’t care what tire nor pressures it ran. Get it fixed FCA!

 

[johnparjr]

2018 JL Sahara and no issue with mine with steering it tracks straight and I drive with one hand all the tine

 

[Sital]

My daughter has a 2018 Sport S and I have a 2019 Sahara and neither have any steering issues.

Sponsored