Steering issues

[Hebrr69]

We have a 2022 Rubicon 392XR build date 2/2/22. I just got it over the weekend and noticed about an 1" to 1 1/2" play in the steering wheel and the steering wheel is off center. Has anyone had this issue with their 2022's? And has your Jeep Dealer offered any fixes. Thanks

 

[hardhat]

We have a 2022 Rubicon 392XR build date 2/2/22. I just got it over the weekend and noticed about an 1" to 1 1/2" play in the steering wheel and the steering wheel is off center. Has anyone had this issue with their 2022's? And has your Jeep Dealer offered any fixes. Thanks

There are youtube videos on how to tighten your steering box. I had over an inch of play in mine that I adjusted down to 1/4" or so. These steering boxes are not designed to have zero play. The play you are feeling is backlash in the gears. Easy to do if you are mechanically inclined. I don't think the dealer will fool with this adjustment. They may just throw another steering box at it.

Steering wheel center adjustment is very simple by adjusting collar on drag link. Just need 15mm wrench (I think) and some adjustable pliers to turn the adjustment.

Dealer will probably do this for you. The off center thing is a bit of a compromise. I have mine where it is straight when I'm in the right lane on a crowned road. I end up with the wheel turned a little to the right when I'm in the left lane of a crowned road.

Throw wind into the mix and wheel might be pointed any which way to keep it in the lane.

That sounds bad, but these drive great once they are dialed in. SOOOOO much better than my 2013 JK. Another factor is muscle memory. If you are not used to driving a jeep, it feels different than driving a vehicle with independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering. You will quickly get used to it. Steering is automatic now and I just enjoy the driving.. Unless it's really windy... cough cough.

I was going to post the youtube video on adjusting the box, but couldn't find the one I liked.

The above is just a likely cause of your problem. Also good to check all front suspension torques. Particularly steering box, track bar, drag link, and tie rod for steering issues. Sometimes things are not properly torqued from factory. Check control arm torques while under there. If you are uncomfortable doing stuff like this, just take to dealer and let them try to sort it out. I am a tinkerer and would only take it to the dealer if I thought they could fix it and get it back to me quicker than I could fix it myself.

 

[Hebrr69]

Thank you hardhat, appreciate the advice. I have seen the video of both, I was just making sure that other 392 owners were doing this. Seems like some are going to aftermarket to fix some of the issues. I think I am taking to dealer first and have alignment checked and have the steering wheel centered and see how it feels. Thank you.

 

[hardhat]

Thank you hardhat, appreciate the advice. I have seen the video of both, I was just making sure that other 392 owners were doing this. Seems like some are going to aftermarket to fix some of the issues. I think I am taking to dealer first and have alignment checked and have the steering wheel centered and see how it feels. Thank you.

Good deal. Without adjustable control arms, the only thing you can adjust on alignment is toe-in and re center steering wheel. Neither of these is going to get rid of "slop" or play in the wheel, but in the process of checking alignment you might discover improperly torqued bolts. Certainly worth checking out.

The other steering issue commonly experienced is "wandering" or having to make constant minor corrections to the steering. This is made worse by running tires at too high pressure (factory settings are too high). Most advise running lower pressures. I run 30psi on front and 28psi on back and this helped with the wandering. I also put in the longer mopar lower control arms that come with the 2" lift. This increases caster which improves steering return to center characteristics and also decreases wandering. I also put in a synergy sector shaft brace which strengthens steering box mounting and braces the sector shaft on the steering box. Main reason I did this is I saw someone break their sector shaft when turning the steering against a hard rock. Some have reported this tightened up the steering as it pretty much eliminates flex at the steering box mounting point. I don't think I noticed any difference from this mod.....

It is a solvable problem and I would just stay on it until you are satisfied.

When I was starting to fiddle with all this, I also ordered and Exact Center Steering Stablizer from Roadmaster. It is pricey at around $500 and has yet to arrive, but it is a return to center device that replaces the stock steering stabilizer and basically holds the wheel straight with a special gas shock. If it ever gets here, I will report results. It is supposed to help with keeping the wheel straight in wind and eliminate wandering altogether. Will see.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

We have a 2022 Rubicon 392XR build date 2/2/22. I just got it over the weekend and noticed about an 1" to 1 1/2" play in the steering wheel and the steering wheel is off center. Has anyone had this issue with their 2022's? And has your Jeep Dealer offered any fixes. Thanks

Before you make any tweaks around the steering box, make sure you have the same tire pressure across all tires. Dealer set my XR at 37 at delivery, and they quickly became 39 and 40 as it’s getting warmer. I deflated to 35 cold initially then 32 for now. No issues and it tracks well on both local and highway (even at over 80 mph).

 

[Blankman]

Are your roads heavily crowned? If so to go straight you’ll have to hold the steering wheel at an angle as the road will pull you down the crown. Tire pressure, Adjustable LCAs will help. I just changed the LCAs to the ones that come in the Mopar lift ($60)and there is a noticeable difference.

 

[Hebrr69]

Please keep me updated on the stabilizer. I am interested in the control arms as well. My tire pressure was 43 cold and 46 warm when I got it. I drove it 800 miles to get home, that's how far I went to get the XR without ordering. Drive was great and I quickly became accustomed to the steering. It wasn't until I got home and my wife drove it that I really noticed it. I lowered tire pressure to 41 warm for now. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Hebrr69]

Blankman, the highways aren't bad around here. The oil and chip roads are a different story. Thanks

 

[Blankman]

Please keep me updated on the stabilizer. I am interested in the control arms as well. My tire pressure was 43 cold and 46 warm when I got it. I drove it 800 miles to get home, that's how far I went to get the XR without ordering. Drive was great and I quickly became accustomed to the steering. It wasn't until I got home and my wife drove it that I really noticed it. I lowered tire pressure to 41 warm for now. Thanks for all the info.

41 is still too high. 32 cold is the sweet spot.

 

[Hebrr69]

This is for the 35 BFG's that come on it correct?

 

[Hebrr69]

Is the part number for the lower control arms

Mopar 68322798AA​

 

[Blankman]

Is the part number for the lower control arms

Mopar 68322798AA​

Yes to 32psi on 35s, and that’s the LCAs I put on mine.

 

[Mad Max 2]

Hi guys, Does anyone have a cold psi sweet spot recommendation for 37” BFG KO2s?

 

[Idaho392]

Hi guys, Does anyone have a cold psi sweet spot recommendation for 37” BFG KO2s?

I run my 35" KO2's at 30psi cold and it's great. I would guess you could run at 28psi and be very happy.

 

[Idaho392]

Good deal. Without adjustable control arms, the only thing you can adjust on alignment is toe-in and re center steering wheel. Neither of these is going to get rid of "slop" or play in the wheel, but in the process of checking alignment you might discover improperly torqued bolts. Certainly worth checking out.

The other steering issue commonly experienced is "wandering" or having to make constant minor corrections to the steering. This is made worse by running tires at too high pressure (factory settings are too high). Most advise running lower pressures. I run 30psi on front and 28psi on back and this helped with the wandering. I also put in the longer mopar lower control arms that come with the 2" lift. This increases caster which improves steering return to center characteristics and also decreases wandering. I also put in a synergy sector shaft brace which strengthens steering box mounting and braces the sector shaft on the steering box. Main reason I did this is I saw someone break their sector shaft when turning the steering against a hard rock. Some have reported this tightened up the steering as it pretty much eliminates flex at the steering box mounting point. I don't think I noticed any difference from this mod.....

It is a solvable problem and I would just stay on it until you are satisfied.

When I was starting to fiddle with all this, I also ordered and Exact Center Steering Stablizer from Roadmaster. It is pricey at around $500 and has yet to arrive, but it is a return to center device that replaces the stock steering stabilizer and basically holds the wheel straight with a special gas shock. If it ever gets here, I will report results. It is supposed to help with keeping the wheel straight in wind and eliminate wandering altogether. Will see.

When you replace the control arms, does it require realignment??

 

[Hebrr69]

I am not a mechanic, but i would think so since they are 1/4" longer. I am sure one of the guys above will confirm or have another answer for you.

 

[stumblinhorse]

When you replace the control arms, does it require realignment??

If you are going mopar lift LCAs, no alignment required. They are fixed length, so they will just add caster and nothing else changes. if You install adjustable LCAs you can tweak your caster to dial in what you want.

 

[hardhat]

When you replace the control arms, does it require realignment??

No. There is nothing to align. This doesn't affect toe in and shouldn't change steering wheel center since you are just moving bottom of axle forward 1/4". I did center my wheel after this, but it was just a tiny bit left of center before I did the LCA's and I don't think they moved it appreciably.

Totally a bolt on mod. But torque spec is crazy high (190 lb ft) IIRC.

 

[Smess]

We have a 2022 Rubicon 392XR build date 2/2/22. I just got it over the weekend and noticed about an 1" to 1 1/2" play in the steering wheel and the steering wheel is off center. Has anyone had this issue with their 2022's? And has your Jeep Dealer offered any fixes. Thanks

Toe is probably off, 80% of my Jeeps I have got brand new in the last 5 years (6 total) have had the toe off. Go under front of Jeep and loosen the sleeve and turn it 1/4 turn and center the wheel, or take it to the dealer and get your first free 1 year 12,000 mile alignment.

Toe will make it drive goofy and eat the tires non stop. Toed out (causes the Jeep to hunt) or in just like your feet, heels close and your toed out, one tire will drive straight and the other will be pointing towards the median or the shoulder and want to pull or drift the Jeep in that direction. The worse it is the harder it will drift or pull and faster it will eat the tire.

Due to the fact that the 392 is all wheel drive it will hide some of the out of toe situations, if you have a tazer, force 2wd, and the steering will loosen up and you can feel whats really going on.

Toe in wont drive as bad or eat tires as bad or fast but toe out is no no no good. and you would not believe how many are out of spec day one.