Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[V8Venom]

Sub'd. I am a first time Jeep owner, my wife is not. Bought the Jeep for her. I drove it 450 miles home the day I bought it and it was like I was driving on ice the whole time. The tire PSI was ridiculously high, but being the Jeep noob that I am, I thought maybe that was normal. I've since lowered the PSI to 34 and moved the steering wheel closer. It helped but it still drifts, still has the dead zone and the wheel moves side to side like I am playing an arcade game. Hoping they fix this issue soon as I think it's going to cause someone to crash.

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[hubble]

What dealership did you take it to?

Landmark in Morrow.

 

[longhorns]

My dealer checked out my steering this morning and confirmed the dead spot. They contacted Jeep engineering who are now saying this is normal and they will not fix it. I guess I'm going to have to take this issue directly to Jeep now.

 

[parkertl]

This has been posted in other threads and probably on one of the other 59 pages of this one but you can file a complaint with the NHTSA at:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

You can also call Jeep Wave directly at 1-844-533-7928.
They will put in a ticket with engineering and will reach out to your dealer if they arent willing to cooperate; my agent has been as helpful and responsive as I could reasonably expect.

I just started these processes so unfortunately I cant provide much more insight other than to say they exist.

The only thing I know to do is just keeping making noise and if enough of us do hopefully they will realize that this is not normal.

 

[Mr Bill]

Yep you are so right about making noise! I think FCA is hoping this issue will just go away. Believe me they know about it and are reading this as I type!

 

[outlanderbz]

Yep you are so right about making noise! I think FCA is hoping this issue will just go away. Believe me they know about it and are reading this as I type!

I would also say we should stop hiding the dealers names that are jerking us around and lying. It seems like people leave the dealer names out of their posts. Gurnee CDJR was unresponsive to my claims until Jeep Cares called them direct. They finally did my TSB and I still need to go check my ball joints myself because I know I got that "yeah we checked that" lie to my face. I have not drove on the highway yet since after the TSB. I will tonight.

They have been ignoring other little issues I have as well but that is off topic and I can live with those. Steering is a safety concern.

 

[JeepCares]

Well....add my new JL to the list of complaints about serious play and drift on the steering issue. Was going down a straight road at 45mph and BAM, drifted into the oncoming lane. Constant corrections needed to keep jeep straight. Brought it to the dealer....I know it's hard to believe but the service dept said all jeeps drive like this. Called the service manager and told him I never want this service advisor looking at my jeep again. He asked I bring it in "again" for his senior technician to look at it. Keep you all posted on my steering issue.

Hi SCStingGray,
we're sorry about your experience at the dealership. Please send us a private message with your VIN and mileage so we can have this documented for you and help you out the best we can.
Lydia,
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[suchacrisis]

Just took mine into the dealer and was told there was nothing wrong. When I mentioned the TSB, she said it could have only applied to certain manufacturer dates and that's why they won't do it to mine.

 

[outlanderbz]

Yesterday I brought my Jeep in and they performed TSB 08-092-18. Today, I took it up I-94 into Wisconsin which gave me open road 70 MPH speed limit and then construction - 55MPH tighter lanes, truck traffic, etc. I was able to stare out the window at billboards and scenery and not look back scared as I did before because I would be half in the other lane. I was trying to find wandering but could not - maybe a little? I told my wife that if I am looking for it and not finding it it must be better.

That being said, It seemed better all around except steering wheel play. It seems better, maybe? I still feel like when the Jeep does need correction there is too much play in the steering wheel which makes it feel off - more a chore or you over correct. I can't tell if it is better after the TSB but I did take a video. I wish I had my 2015 JK still to compare. Please excuse the vertical video but I thought it might be good to see if what I have now is now "normal". I will say, if the wandering is gone that is a huge step in the right direction because that was downright unsafe.



thanks

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Anyone having wandering steering issues should inspect the front track bar mounting bracket. If there is any flex in the mount it could cause steering problems.



https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...e-at-1300-miles-failed-track-bar-mount.13380/

 

[Mr Bill]

They told you nothing was wrong and did not even look at it!? As I mentioned in this thread or another I made an appt with my dealer to have this TSB performed my VIN is NOT affected either according to the date range listed on the TSB. I have not spoken to the dealer yet if I get any back flap from them I was told to contact Jeep Care WHICH I WILL!!

 

[DanPop]

#21
DanPop
Newb

Well I made the call to my dealer today, this is starting out bad. I explained the problem with my JL steering and the first thing I heard was "well have you ever driven a Wrangler before?" So then I explain about the TSB and she says "we don't just apply TSBs because someone says so on the internet."
I do have to say though, although my appt. is next week, she promised I'd be the first call if she had a cancelation.

 

[outlanderbz]

#21
DanPop
Newb

Well I made the call to my dealer today, this is starting out bad. I explained the problem with my JL steering and the first thing I heard was "well have you ever driven a Wrangler before?" So then I explain about the TSB and she says "we don't just apply TSBs because someone says so on the internet."
I do have to say though, although my appt. is next week, she promised I'd be the first call if she had a cancelation.

I was able to get it done because @JeepCares was the one that called the dealership first to tell them to do it. If not for that the dealer told me it drives like a jeep - Gurnee CDJR

 

[donnyb313]

I was planning on purchasing a 2018 JLUR this week, but after reading about the steering, welds, and other issues I'm a bit hesitant to buy one. I really want a JLUR but I don't want to deal with steering problems. I also don't want BSG that might be on the 2019's.

Do all of the new JL's have the sloppy/wandering steering issues, or is it just some of them?

Did the problem exist on day one? or was it a problem that developed over time?

 

[Jhoward136]

I also have had the dead spot in my steering from day 1. I now have over 2k miles and an happy to say that because of the discussions in this thread I've made huge improvements and am no longer frustrated.

First off, it is not all JLs. We have a friend who has a JL that has no dead spot.

The TSB flashing made an improvement to steering at low speeds, but dead spot still found at speeds over 55mph. Tightening the ball joints made great improvement to the dead spot....I torqued bottom to 80lbs and top to 70lbs. Just drove 300 miles for vacation today and it was awesome. Very normal now. Thanks for everyone's comments and I hope others find ways to correct their specific issue.

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