Why do you think it’s the problem? Educate me because I’ve wonderer the same. The steering is tight and crisp, no dead spot, feels good just has DW between 25-55 mph. Above 60 it’s fine
If theres no play in the panhard bar, all hardware is tight balljoints are good, its either flexion in the drag or tie or a bad steering box. Dude , 1/8 inch of play in your box equates to like 2 inches at the tires . The steering on a 5 link is based on a leverage multiplication factor.
Not a lot. We all love modding our jeep but the reality is , its always better to prove the platform before mods. All my builds were based on a used platform that drive nice and straight. Mine is bone stock for this reason. That allows for a lot more leverage onto the dealer while FCa out engineers this issue... add systems in succession to diagnose problems. Install a lift? Drive yr stock tires for a week to ensure you are in good shape, then install new tires etc...
I did as you suggested, then added tires and lift. I then drove my lifted jeep for 8500 additional miles before the minor wobble/shimmy showed up. So that is not a guarantee. I do believe the shimmy showed up after a following razers and motorcycles through sand dunes. For the record I am not whining to the dealer or FCA. As I think it is less work to deal with it myself. So far so good with the steer smart tie rod and drag link. Again mine was not full blown DW just a wobble/shimmy at ~45 mph on certain roads and bumps.
This isn’t the case for most who install bigger tires or a lift, but it is a definite possibility to consider. Factor in that possibility and be prepared to deal with it if it happens.
I seen that I almost only see the DW on 4 doors... is that the case because I have a 2 door
It’s really difficult to pin down a precise cause because there’s a variety of different things that cause or contribute to it. Im not sure about the prevalence being greater with 4 vs 2 door models, I’ve never noticed it. Maybe someone should put up a poll.
Here is a great 28 second video from another forum member that shows the loose steering problem. Notice the steering shaft is turning but the pitman arm is not responding - aka dead spot. You might try to video your JL in the same view to see what is going on.
I believe even some stock jeeps including sahara's have observed the issue also. There is a long post from some lady in OH that tried to get Jeep to fix hers. I think that was a stock sahara anyway.
That’s a great video that visually depicts what is causing the dead spot in the steering on that particular Jeep. For the apologists who claim the issue is because of aftermarket wheels or lifts that screw up the amazing work of the genius Jeep engineers, how is this explained? Do the size and weight of the wheels on the Jeep or the caster angle factor into how the pitman arm isn’t moving on the output side of the gearbox when the sheering shaft is clearly moving a lot on the input side? I’m asking seriously. It looks really simple to me, but maybe there’s something that I’m missing that somebody can explain to me how modifications would cause this.
Yeah wow that is a great video, good find!! I will have to try this on mine. I think this means the Hydro assist isn't doing it's job, or isn't sensitive enough. I guess this is why some have moved the gear on it to make it more sensitive...
