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Picked up my new Hard Rock Today...

2K views 28 replies 17 participants last post by  Jnyvio 
#1 ·
So i picked up my new 2015 Rubicon Hard Rock... I luv it but this is my first jeep.. I have to ask this question to fellow Rubicon owners.. As i drove off the lot and traveled down the street on my way home from the dealership.. I noticed a constant left to right minor back and forth swaying of the front end.. I had to constantly correct this with by steering the wheel slightly left / right... Is this normal due to the aggressive tires and straight axles.. I thought the front sway bar was disconnected but the light is out... i did press the sway bar button once or twice but it just blinked and then went out... It seems a tad scary when driving in close quarters next to other cars on dry highway.. Is this normal or should i go back to the dealership?? It had 10 miles on the odometer when i picked it up.. i think the tire psi was 39-40 all around? Advice please.. Thank you.
 
#3 ·
Was it windy out, ruts in the road ? As you said it's your first Jeep and they handle a lot different than a car or other truck, the wind can throw you around pretty good and they catch the ruts a lot more than a car will.

If you take it back and get it checked and they say everything is ok, then you might want to look into the steering attenuator, made a world of difference to mine and most of the people that put them on like them.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/steering-attenuator-reviews-970482.html




Congrats on the purchase as well.
 
#5 ·
Ok, thanks for all of the suggestions.... I think I will go back to the dealer next week and see if someone can give it a quick test ride for peace of mind. As a matter of fact It was a windy day today, a rain storm was coming, but we didn't get the rain.. All I know is the ride was a little unsettling.. I will check tire pressure and if the dealer says its normal then I will def look into the steering attenuator.
 
#6 ·
Ruts in the asphalt from heavy traffic (trucks) can cause what you described too. Be on the careful side and return it to the dealer for inspection.
 
#8 ·
Hi,

I picked up my new HR a few months ago. It felt exactly the same as you describe. Flighty and wobbly up front. Lower the air pressure in the tires. That helped mine a lot. I still think the Rubicon HR's should have firmer shocks but that is what the aftermarket is for.
 
#9 ·
First time I test drove my hard rock it was just plain scary. Then checked tire pressure....it was 59 pounds...dealer instructed to keep pressure high on lot. Go figure. Anyway jeep does take some getting used too. Took me a couple weeks to feel comfortable with the handling. Wonder if mopar heavy duty steering stabilizer would make a difference?
 
#11 ·
I have a hard rock too and it was exactly the same constantly having to correct the steering. Dropped the tire pressure to 37 didn't help much, but dropping it to 32 helped quite a bit. It was still a little flighty but a big difference from driving it off the lot.
 
#20 ·
A Rubicon is set up to run 37 lbs. on a stock set up. You can change the pressure to what you feel that you want to run. However, if you drop the pressure too much you're going to get the TPMS light. It's sensitive and will most likely go off if you drop it to 32. The TPMS threshold is based on 37 lbs. My Rubicon runs perfectly straight with no issues at 37. You might need an alignment check. If you were driving in a wind condition you will get some wander. That's normal. You would have to use a Procal to adjust the TPMS threshold if you want to run lower pressure. I tried different pressures and found that I get the best overall handling and tire wear keeping it at 37. Your choice.
 
#18 ·
Congrats on your new Rubicon HR!!!!!!

I would take it back to your Dealer and have them check your toe-in. If it is toed out, then your steering will be squirrely. Caster will vary about 1 degree from Wrangler to Wrangler. Yours maybe on the low side, but there is no factory installed adjustment for it.

Mine is a 2013 JKR, which I purchased new. I have always run 37 psi cold in my tires.
From day one, mine has never had the issue that you are describing.
I drive mine in the mountains, during the summer time. Normal speeds of up to 75 mph. I have always felt safe even at those high speeds. Keep in mind, that mine is just a 2 door.
Now changing lanes at high speed was always a little concern.

I was the first one to install one of the test unit Attenuators. Changing lanes now, is not any different than driving a well handling automobile.

I strongly recommend one of these Attenuators to help stabilize your steering.

Just click on the Attenuator link in my Signature area. This way you can read all of the positive review......:thumb:
 
#19 ·
hopefully this wont start another kindergarten level argument..

what you are feeling is some of the factory set oversteer. it is to help you when the lockers are turned on and makes the steering difficult.

all you can do is to replace the front lower control arms and set them at 23 1/16 to 23 1/8 inches (center to center) and you will see the majority of that go away. You will still have some but no where near what you have now..
I did this on my own 2015 Hard Rock and that is exactly what I had and fixed. I also had a friend in California do this to his 2012 with the exact same results..

there will those that want to argue this but the fact is it works.. makes the Jeep a fun vehicle to drive.. instead of a nightmare.
 
#21 ·
not to argue the point because i definetly don't know, but are you saying he needs to buy new control arms for a $40k plus jeep just to make it steer right?

The reason I am asking is because I was thinking of upgrading my sport to a HR. The only problem is I love the way my sport drives. I can't imagine a jeep driving any better stock, only worse. From your post, it sounds like worse is what I may get. I definitely don't want to upgrade then start replacing control arms.
 
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