Brand new Rubicon 392 pulling to the right

Bonesdoc · Apr 4, 2022

I need advice from any new owners of the Rubicon 392. I just purchased my 2022 Rubicon 392 with the extreme recon package. The day I drove it off the lot, I noticed a pull to the right. I was finding myself having to turn the steering wheel just a slight bit to correct it. The dealer checked it and is saying it needs an aftermarket part to correct the caster, a special bolt that offsets the lower control arm connection to the axle. He told me they have had to do a lot of these fixes even to brand new Wranglers. This seems crazy that the car is leaving the factory needing aftermarket work done. Has anyone heard of this?

stumblinhorse · Apr 4, 2022

No, definitely the wrong fix for low caster. But 392s will always be the lowest caster of all wranglers because of the reuse of parts across the different heights of lifts.

Do not let them install a cam bolt for caster adjustment. Get the current alignment specs and decide what Is best to do. Talk to some 4x4 shops and find out what they recommend and decide what you are most comfortable with changing.

Yaak392 · Apr 4, 2022

You are getting hosed.....
Check your tire pressure.
A brand new jeep needing a "After market" part. Are you kidding me? Or find a honest dealership

Bonesdoc · Apr 4, 2022

Thanks for your input. They told me all the alignment specs look good except the caster. Just wasn’t expecting to hear it’s not a quick adjustment and to have to put in a modified part on a new vehicle makes me concerned. The dealer told me they were instructed by Chrysler rep to use this fix on previous vehicles. I’m going in tomorrow to try to talk to the GM about this.

Yaak392 · Apr 4, 2022

Our 392 has been flawless for 6000 miles.
I really think someone is trying to.... You.
I can't imagine that jeep would put out a product that would need a "aftermarket " part to make it right. (Would you?) I don't think you can trust that dealership... good luck.

Turboencabulator · Apr 5, 2022

Yaak392 said:
You are getting hosed.....
Check your tire pressure.
A brand new jeep needing a "After market" part. Are you kidding me? Or find a honest dealership

So I had a very similar issue with mine pulling right for the first 100 miles until I finally got around to dropping the tires to 32psi. Now it drives straight as an arrow, like no hands on the wheel for a mile straight. The PSI on the TPS has been all over the place, I went to 32 using my gauge and the TPS read 29 on the dash with all kinds of tire pressure warning, now it went up (magically) and shows 35 even though the tire pressure still reads 32psi using a gauge. Start by dropping the PSI and give it a spin.

stumblinhorse · Apr 5, 2022

Again, lot of new Jeep owners here Because of the 80k Jeep is a new consumer. There are a lot of aftermarket parts that are far superior to what comes on any level of wrangler. And because of the reuse of parts a 392 has low caster. And I would recommend adjustable front control arms to any 392 owner that is having any drivability issues. I would definitely not add a cam bolt, as your dealer is recommending. But that is how caster has been adjusted for many years.

There are a number of things that need to be upgraded at first opportunity on a 392. Don’t be fooled by the $80k price tag, it is still a Jeep.

Yaak392 · Apr 5, 2022

Oh by the way, Welcome to the 392 family. I am sure we all agree that you made a wonderful choice to get the 392.
The message that Turboencabulator shared about the tire pressure is how I learned. Our jeep came with 45-48 psi. Our dealership didn't check the tire pressure before it gave us delivery. After I lowered the psi, the ride improved greatly.
Good luck

Yaak392 · Apr 5, 2022

stumblinhorse said:
Again, lot of new Jeep owners here Because of the 80k Jeep is a new consumer. There are a lot of aftermarket parts that are far superior to what comes on any level of wrangler. And because of the reuse of parts a 392 has low caster. And I would recommend adjustable front control arms to any 392 owner that is having any drivability issues. I would definitely not add a cam bolt, as your dealer is recommending. But that is how caster has been adjusted for many years.

There are a number of things that need to be upgraded at first opportunity on a 392. Don’t be fooled by the $80k price tag, it is still a Jeep.

Stumblinhorse, what are you suggesting that need upgraded?

YukonCornelius · Apr 5, 2022

I've seen a lot of folks on the JL forums that when going with the 2" MOPAR lift kit, do the included heavier-duty 1/4" longer LCA's that for whatever reason, Jeep doesn't use when they do the lift at the factory. Most say it improved their tracking. No personal experience myself, but for $34.00 a piece it'll probably be the first change I make if it doesn't track straight. Guess it's just a sheer numbers game off the line: build all Rubicons with the same components: lift or no lift. But if they truly do come with the kit for DIY or dealer install, you'd think they'd do it from the factory.

Bonesdoc · Apr 5, 2022

The first day I noticed the passenger side tire pressures were about 1-2psi lower than the drivers side, I inflated to just slightly more than the driver side and this did help. The are set at around 36psi, which is what is recommended by the factory. I guess I could lower the pressures more like you suggested and try. Also regarding upgrades, I know there is a ton of things you can do to a Jeep, and I’ve done some on a previous one of mine, but my point of buying this 392 with XR package was so I didn’t have to.

stumblinhorse · Apr 5, 2022

Bonesdoc said:
The first day I noticed the passenger side tire pressures were about 1-2psi lower than the drivers side, I inflated to just slightly more than the driver side and this did help. The are set at around 36psi, which is what is recommended by the factory. I guess I could lower the pressures more like you suggested and try. Also regarding upgrades, I know there is a ton of things you can do to a Jeep, and I’ve done some on a previous one of mine, but my point of buying this 392 with XR package was so I didn’t have to.

I am definitely not trying to argue with you. You mentioned the XR package, what about that package led you to think you bought something that didn’t need upgrades Vs the regular 392? There is a lot of misinformation about the 392 XR out there and it is too bad if you were mislead.

Bonesdoc · Apr 5, 2022

I just expected to get a car that drives straight when I bought it.

jchrisbauer13 · Apr 5, 2022

Bonesdoc said:
I just expected to get a car that drives straight when I bought it.

i agree, you should not have to put on aftermarket part to get it to simply drive straight. I've had my XR now for close to 700 miles and tracks properly.....definitely improved after I let the tire pressures down to the recommended PSI on sticker and plan to drop them a bit lower. Yes, it drives "like a jeep" in that it is not a sports car that turns like it is on rails but it does drive straight when asked to. I would definitely ask input from a different dealer.

stumblinhorse · Apr 5, 2022

Bonesdoc said:
I just expected to get a car that drives straight when I bought it.

Then the expectation is that all Jeeps drive “straight” from the factory? Regardless that yours has 35 KO2s and mine had 33 M/Ts and other Jeeps have 31 street tires? It is a lot of variables that Jeeps have, and they have most of the same parts.

My point is that yes there are parts that Jeep uses that have to overlap a lot of variables. And 35 KO2s are at one end of the scale and being as such you might have to upgrade some parts.

1newbie · Apr 5, 2022

The 392 is supposed to come with the 'mopar factory 1 1/2 lift' over the stock rubicon. The kit supposedly includes the longer LCA. I am shocked that the 392 does not come with the longer HD arms.....

hardhat · Apr 11, 2022

1newbie said:
The 392 is supposed to come with the 'mopar factory 1 1/2 lift' over the stock rubicon. The kit supposedly includes the longer LCA. I am shocked that the 392 does not come with the longer HD arms.....

My 2021 XR came with the same LCA's as other wranglers. Replaced with the longer mopar LCA's and this did improve my on center feel. Jeep drives really good now. I don't have to make as many minor corrections to the steering. Unless it is windy....................Have to be careful with going too long on control arms as that messes up the front pinon angle and can cause driveline vibrations. The longer mopar arms did not induce vibration on mine. I've ended up at 30 psi front 28 psi back for now and that seems good.

Bonesdoc · Apr 11, 2022

Thanks for everyone’s opinion. After talking to enough people with all different experiences/backgrounds I decided to go with the Dealer’s fix of putting in a Chrysler approved caster bolt covered under warranty. It does drive better now for the first day I’ve had it. My plan was not to mod the suspension at least not for some years and have fun on the factory parts for now…although I could change my mind anytime