Them Sahara Altitudes look bitching, FWIW.
Doesn't that answer your question about what's normal?
Maybe, but the brain is a powerful thing. And maybe if the tires were not at 50+ when I picked up the Jeep, I would have never questioned it. Cause it drove like shit at that tire pressure, but now the doubt is cemented in my head!
One thing I have noticed is those who mention wanderings issues aren't those coming from a JL or even a JK. Solid axles are an attack on all sense when going over bumps. You couldn't call it a Jeep if it didn't have them though.
For, um, research purposes, how many cases of beer should I try? “But honey, the internet said I had to put 15 cases of beer in the back to see if it helps the steering”
If there is one huge factor that has an effect on the steering it would be tire pressure . I ended up going down to about 32 psi in the front and 35 in the rear and I can't say I have any issues with wondering wheels.Hi All,
Yes, groan, another steering question, and for my first post too.... suppose i should go post on the Welcome thread first.
Anyway, it was my wife's dream from when she first learned to drive to own a Jeep, and now finally some 30 years later we've got the opportunity! Picked up a 20 Sahara Altitude a little over a week ago, Sting Grey with Sky Touch. It is a thing of beauty. Found it on a dealer lot about 2 hours away, it had just came off the truck, build date of 7/20, had 5 miles on it!
We take it for a quick test drive, all seems well, we sign the papers and we are off, heading back home. I'm in my Ram 1500, she's following in the Jeep. After stopping for dinner, she says that the drive was frankly terrifying. She felt like she was all over the road and had no control. We were driving back from Baltimore area, through lots of road construction and traffic. It was an unfamiliar area, with an unfamiliar car, so we chalked it up to that.
I drove the remainder of the way home and it really wasn't a fun experience. I don't think it was terrifying, but really wasn't all that enjoyable.
I checked the tire pressures when we got home and realized that yes, as a lot of others reported, they were way too high. Over 50, actually. Lowered to 38, per door panel, and eventually down to about 35.
The Jeep drives better now, but it still wants to wander, and the question is how much is normal for a solid axle, and how much would be considered a defect. My wife indicates that the way home from work is far worse than the way to work. Its been super hot here in the Philly area lately, in case that has anything to do with it.
But now I find myself obsessed with the steering, ready to swap out the track bar, install some magic stabilizing brace cause i saw a few youtube guys promote it (further reading on that Synergy brace makes me realize i do not want to go down that route) and do whatever else i need to make it acceptable to drive, when it occurs to me that I shouldn't have to do that for a brand new 50k vehicle.
So, what should normal steering on the JL feel like? I loathe taking a car to the dealer for them to tell me nothing is wrong, so if there is something wrong, how can i defend/prove my position? Never had a solid front axle before, and I currently drive a 2016 Ram. The Ram ride/steering is light-years better/different than the Jeep.
(sorry, long winded)
That Synergy bracket is a big pain in the ass to install for absolutely no benefit.
I'm coming from a TJ, ZJ as well as having driven/rented multiple JL's. The wondering is not something I've ever experienced on a solid axle vehicle. My TJ with a huge lift is not the greatest on road, but it doesn't wonder like the JL's I've driven. I have a JLURD on order, however I won't accept delivery if it wonders like I've experienced.
DEFINITELY. I was getting heart palpitations that day. Getting blown 4-6 feet into the opposite lane, then having to hard correct back to the right and hoping I didn't go off the road into a ditch.And you've got the 4dr, 2dr kicks that up a notch or two
But you won't fall asleep at the wheel that's for sure!
To truly dial it in, you will need a step-down weighted scientific process to study all the levers at play here. Start with the back filled to the brim with cases. Slowly "take away" cases over time. Best to have a driver who is outside of the experiment help with moving the vehicle so you can "make proper notes". Pro-tip: switch to voice memos after about halfway done. Notes will become illegible.
