Question on steering box on early JL

[Tyler88]

I just saw a video on how the early JLs have an aluminum steering box and I have a 2018 JL I have not specifically looked yet but is it worth looking into replacing it with a steel steering box if I do have the aluminum one? Since I do have quite a bit of steering play especially on the highway but I always thought it was from the 2in lift and 35in tires I have. Also I do still have extended warranty since I thought I heard someone said there was a way to get it changed under warranty but, If someone has experience swapping it out is it worth doing or paying to have it done? Thanks

Sponsored

 

[dpike]

If you can get a dealer to diagnose it's your steering box than they usually will replace it and update the software for free under the tsb. Many dealers defaulted to "it's a jeep thing" or blamed a lift or tires on it and dismissed a lot of people looking to have this done or just replaced the damper. This was a pretty hot topic a year or so ago and there's quite a few posts about it. I never quite got the correction that some people did, but the updated box was definitely an improvement (mine was replaced twice because initially there was dealer confusion over the part number)

 

[Roky]

I just saw a video on how the early JLs have an aluminum steering box and I have a 2018 JL I have not specifically looked yet but is it worth looking into replacing it with a steel steering box if I do have the aluminum one? Since I do have quite a bit of steering play especially on the highway but I always thought it was from the 2in lift and 35in tires I have. Also I do still have extended warranty since I thought I heard someone said there was a way to get it changed under warranty but, If someone has experience swapping it out is it worth doing or paying to have it done? Thanks

Is it actually play ( where you turn the steering wheel and the wheel doesn’t turn) or is it wandering from low caster? If you’re experiencing a problem with it, then yeah look into getting it switched out, if it’s not causing any steering issues then it’s not worth worrying over……. I’m still running the aluminum box 5 years now, wheel it often, on 37s most of its life, no issues….. if and when I go to hydro, I’ll probably switch it…….

 

[Jeep Wick]

I just saw a video on how the early JLs have an aluminum steering box and I have a 2018 JL I have not specifically looked yet but is it worth looking into replacing it with a steel steering box if I do have the aluminum one? Since I do have quite a bit of steering play especially on the highway but I always thought it was from the 2in lift and 35in tires I have. Also I do still have extended warranty since I thought I heard someone said there was a way to get it changed under warranty but, If someone has experience swapping it out is it worth doing or paying to have it done? Thanks

Do you have the longer control arms? That made a big difference for me. I bought the updated box when they were in short supply (2 door has a different part number) but I haven't felt the need to change it since doing the control arms. There is a TSB where they will change it out and do a software update.

 

[XxsullyxX123]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-20-for-improved-steering-feel.56363/page-222


its the top sticky on the warranty and TSB section of the forum. mine wasN'T terrible, but i had it done anyway and it helped tighten it up a bit

edited for typo....wasnt terrible lol

 

[dsgrey]

I have a stock sport and had mine replaced about 2 years ago before the warranty ended. The TSB has some wording along the lines of "if the customer describes X then replace". I had no issue getting mine done by stating whatever that line says on the TSB. It definitely helped with my wandering.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

If you bought it used, take a look at it and make sure that it hasn't already been replaced. The aluminum one is silver and the steel one is black.

 

[Nukem]

I just saw a video on how the early JLs have an aluminum steering box and I have a 2018 JL I have not specifically looked yet but is it worth looking into replacing it with a steel steering box if I do have the aluminum one? Since I do have quite a bit of steering play especially on the highway but I always thought it was from the 2in lift and 35in tires I have. Also I do still have extended warranty since I thought I heard someone said there was a way to get it changed under warranty but, If someone has experience swapping it out is it worth doing or paying to have it done? Thanks

I have a 2018. I have had all the front end parts upgraded to the top of the line parts. I had the aluminum swapped to the steel and the dealer has upgraded the software twice (tried to charge me for the second. Asked them why they are charging me for something that Jeep should have gotten right the first time. No charge). I still have the wandering issue.

 

[Chapomis]

I just saw a video on how the early JLs have an aluminum steering box and I have a 2018 JL I have not specifically looked yet but is it worth looking into replacing it with a steel steering box if I do have the aluminum one? Since I do have quite a bit of steering play especially on the highway but I always thought it was from the 2in lift and 35in tires I have. Also I do still have extended warranty since I thought I heard someone said there was a way to get it changed under warranty but, If someone has experience swapping it out is it worth doing or paying to have it done? Thanks

I just yesterday made an appointment with my local dealer for the exact same reason. I brought the service bulletin with me to the service dept. In their system the parts and labor for that bulletin are not covered under warrantee (2020). They told me to open a case and reference the dealer inspection (75$).....and roll the dice

 

[Tyler88]

Some people were asking but it’s been doing it since I got it since I got mine as a demo vehicle that had 4000 miles on it when I bought it it was already lifted and had the 35s from the dealer so it’s always done that. I’ll probably just leave it unless it becomes a big issue and gets much worse because because I’ve gotten used to the steering by now

Sponsored