Jeep JT JL Wandering Sloppy Steering Fix for FREE, How to for the Gladiator Wrangler Dead Spot Slop

Note: I pulled the bolt from above the spring perch on the driver side. 13mm. Checked backlash to 15 thousandths. So this is more than just a feel but used it to gauge the steering wheel for the video to be safe. The pressure at idle will make up for the 15 though and will give a firm, controlled feel. Very responsive and feels like a proper steering feel.

I should have done this the day I brought it home. This is the one thing, more than anything, that I hated about my Jeep. This little fix took minutes to do but I put it off thinking I could throw a Sector Shaft Brace, Track Bar, Controls Arms, and Steering Stabilizers at it. Do this first.

[bradf]

This is 100 percent the cure for the wondering Jeep JL issue when at highway speeds. I am so happy I found this video. Many companies offering “solutions” for this but they are at best a bandaid if they do anything at all. Instant gratification here! Thanks for making this video! Wanna hug you right now I am so happy.

[DerekWheeler]

I did this 2yrs ago when bought it. People will tell you to never do this and frown on it. But this was the best thing I ever did to my JL. Never had a steering issue again.

[MotorcycleEnhancements]

**VERY IMPORTANT ** You may want to check one more thing before you button that up. It may eliminate the the slop in the center but when you check lock to lock it may be binding right or left and if it is you can be causing more damage. Check to make sure it's not binding lock to lock and in order to check this take the weight off your tires, install jack stands underneath your axle and if it binds lock to lock you've turned in that screw a little bit too much

[Thetimbercruiser]

So glad I found this video. Saved me from an unnecessary $400 steering stabilizer purchase in an attempt to fix the slop/wandering.

[acmecompany]

2022 wrangler, allen head won’t turn, had to heat allen head with torch, 25 seconds, then work fast before the locktite set back up, got it done, tighten about 1/4 turn, it makes a nice difference

[LeeParks]

My 2007 JKU steering was getting sloppy and this worked like a champ. Clear instruction and the photo highlighting the mark lines helped a lot. Thanks for sharing!

[alfreddoumtaz]

Just bought a gladiator 2020 a week ago, saw your video. End up mine is all good and drive like a charm. Maybe it was done cause its lifted a lot. But see how many people you nade the day for.
Great video and I learned for futur needs

[Jasta]

Just picked up a 2018 JLUR yesterday and the steering sucked. Just made this adjustment and it fixed it!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[Phantom-pgtv]

This is wonderful, i thought that sloppiness is normal until i’m fed up with it. I search and ran through your video! Thanks, now i’m a fan! Cheers!

[hectorramirez]

Should be tighten locking nut 15mm. Lossen with box wrench while center allen is held still. Adjust allen center then hold in place use box end tighten down.

[Ernesto-teoj]

I have a ‘21 gladiator with horrible steering wander which has the new steel box on it. Been driving on it for 16, 000 miles. had the dealership look at it twice and told me it’s the way it’s supposed to drive. Been thinking about trading it in because of steering wander. frustrating. After watching your video and started at it. I loosened the large nut with the half inch drive first and I did put marks on there just as a reference but when I tried to turn the inner hex screw it was extremely tight, so decided to just lock it back down for now, and when I did, I put strength into it and I was able to tighten down just a little bit more from my marked lines. The inner screw turns with the locking nut. Maybe there is some Loctite from factory.
let me tell you it runs like a new truck now! Please note I have the steel box.

[lifeofbob]

Thanks for the post! I just tried to have the dealership (Lochmandy in Elkhart, Indiana) perform this fix, and they don't feel comfortable adjusting it. They sent a request for a whole new steering box to Chrysler then tried to charge me a diag fee since I have apex swaybar disconnects lol.

[Yurstruely]

Dude you are the man, I needed to know this and stumbled across this video!! I liked and shared with my other buddies!!

[danielhough]

Purchased 2021 gladiator May 21. Has 3600 miles on it to date. Been back to dealer three times for wind noise and wandering. $53, 000.00 and I refuse to spend any more. Shouldn’t have to. Dealer say’s no fix for either. It has a steel steering box. Ready to trade if dealers ever get any vehicles in but being I basically like the thing I am going to try this. If it works, I thank you immensely and if it doesn’t I thank you for giving “it” one last chance. No more fiat/peugot products for me. Thanks.

[RBelun]

Thank you THANK YOU!! This video was exactly what the JL needed. This was our second JL 2018 and current 2020 did the trackbar upper control arms and alignment steering stabilizer and only had marginal impact on steering. Glad to do those mods a ride quailty changed for better. BUT THIS FIX and I mean FIXED IT. Mine aluminum box didnt take but 2/3rds of yours to get the wife to say what did I do. I like wife points. Thank you for sharing.

[madmac]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I think I will keep my Gladiator, now.

[johndoe]

I have the Saginaw 525 factory manual box on my 77 cj5 5. I wore out 2 boxes and rebuilt both. The rebuilds were fair as I couldn't get all the parts I wanted. Adjusting eventually didn't cut it. Tired of wheel slop I got a crown brand.
It is new not a rebuild. Made in Spain it is an exact copy with exception of adjustment screw. Zero wheel slop and feels real good. I have 360 000 o
On the Jeep. I realize the power boxes last longer but I love the manual simplicity. The crown unit seems very good. Borgeson makes USA made 525 boxes but for my spline count only in 16 to 1 ratio. I now know that ratio is ok to use so on another Jeep I'm building I will go with borgeson. Point is crown or borgeson when you can't get rid of the slop there is nothing like a new one

[kishka]

I am looking at purchasing a jeep and took one for a test drive today, had this sloppy steering. I thought id look into how to fix it. Thanks.

[mikerobbins]

I just had a new steel steering box put on under the current TSB. Completely fixed mine...

[stephencarbajal]

This is interesting and ol school. My research has found that the excessive play is due to an aluminum gear box. The mounting ears where the box mounts to the frame actually flexing. There's a video with a tech using a dial indicator showing the play or flexing this is why FCA will replace your box with a steel box if you complain enough or it's a huge issue for the consumer? I'm going to try this, I know from experience if you over adjust this you will damage the gears internally. You seem to have yours adjusted correctly. Cheers