Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[Jlrut]

Did the dealership confirm the dead spot still remains after the new steering box? That's half the battle, getting the dealership to confirm there is a problem and not claiming it is a "Jeep thing".

They did not. I don’t know if they drove or or not. They did agree there was a problem initially.

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[TJ&JL]

Can you guess what the number one complaint is?

 

[jeremyjeep]

One more update... and it's an optimistic one. After a week of driving after my latest repair (6th visit to the dealership and a brand new and "improved" steering box installed) I honestly feel that this thing handles much better. I do still get a little wandering from time to time, but not nearly as bad as I had been getting. Also, the "dead space" in the steering wheel seems less - there is still a bit of play, but I get feedback from the Jeep much quicker than I did before - so I don't have to crank the wheel so far to make those turns. Also, turns are much more solid and controlled - before, I would find myself about half way through a bend only to discover that I needed to steer more into it to make it through the corner (was scary at times). That seems to be corrected now.

So, it's not "perfect" but it drives a lot more like a Jeep now. Just wanted to share a bit of good news with my fellow sufferers out there. Major props to my dealership for continuing to work on this thing to get me to a place where I no longer feel like I'm driving a death trap.

Now, I do plan on having my ball joints checked next time I'm in... just to be on the safe side. :0)

Did you have the ball joints checked yet? And did they tighten the steering box adjustment? It could be the last step to 'fine tune' in the steering for you. Also, someone mentioned in a steering thread about the steering control arms torque needs to be checked.

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

Can you guess what the number one complaint is?

Yep after seeing that video I feel Jeep will have a recall or something in the future to resolve this. I'm currently working with Jeep on the issue, although I won't be able to take it in for another week or so.

 

[Tylerjcloud92]

I’m still working with Jeep on it had the tsb done didn’t do much at all it feels like it might just lower how much elecic assistance the steering gets at speed to make it less darty so you aren’t dealing with the loose steering box as much, doesn’t fix that though.

 

[kevinkeplar]

Did they say the steering box was "improved"? Also, how did you convince them to actually do something? Most of us are still trying to convince them there really is a problem??

Yes, I was told that this box was the latest "improved" version - I had already had one replaced and it didn't seem to make much of a difference, so when they said they were throwing in another one, I questioned them and was told this one was supposed to be "different." I have generally been fortunate with my dealership and their willingness to keep trying to get this thing right. The last trip took a test drive with a tech in my Jeep and another that steered much better. After than comparison, he convinced the service manager that they should keep working on it (that was the 6th trip in).

 

[kevinkeplar]

Did you have the ball joints checked yet? And did they tighten the steering box adjustment? It could be the last step to 'fine tune' in the steering for you. Also, someone mentioned in a steering thread about the steering control arms torque needs to be checked.

Not sure on the ball joints - though they claimed to have gone over all of it a couple of times to make sure it was all up to spec (that was the first 2 visits). Can't answer the steering box adjustment - I just know that they installed a new one. I will open it up and see if the factory marks line up, but I suspect they just dropped it in as is. Hadn't hear about the steering control arms torque - will have to run that one by them next time as well.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Not sure on the ball joints - though they claimed to have gone over all of it a couple of times to make sure it was all up to spec (that was the first 2 visits). Can't answer the steering box adjustment - I just know that they installed a new one. I will open it up and see if the factory marks line up, but I suspect they just dropped it in as is. Hadn't hear about the steering control arms torque - will have to run that one by them next time as well.

Here is the mention of the control arms - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...y-how-much-is-normal.12526/page-2#post-310933 This makes sense in some cases because the computer is trying to compensate for it being over tightened.

And here is a summary of what people have reported that fixed their steering problems so far (not in any order):

1. Tire Pressure - tires are way over inflated from the dealer. Match them to the door jam numbers.

2. Steering box adjustment. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...el-play-how-much-is-normal.12526/#post-306343

3. Steering box replacement.

4. TSB # 08-092-18 Steering Issue / Restore Vehicle Configuration routine. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...sist-steering-lockup-at-highway-speeds.12226/

5. Front end alignment.

6. Toe-In adjustment. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

7. Control Arm Adjustment - loosen, then tighten to the correct amount. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...y-how-much-is-normal.12526/page-2#post-310933

8. Break-in period. Some in the forums reported that their steering problems went away after 700, 900, 1,000, etc. miles.

9. Steering recall on some early VINs - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-recall-06-01-18.9747/

10. Check all 4 ball joint nuts. Reports of them being loose, making noises when making u-turns, but also causes steering drift.

 

[shakooza]

Yep after seeing that video I feel Jeep will have a recall or something in the future to resolve this. I'm currently working with Jeep on the issue, although I won't be able to take it in for another week or so.

Not to be Debby downer but there are problems that can't be fixed...There is an 800+ page thread on the Chevy forum about massive issues with Silverado vibration. The owners have been "patiently" waiting for a fix for years...GM has a new Silverado model out and I have a sneaking suspicion that the Silverado vibration will never be fixed. There are issues with geometry and materials that can't be fixed without a complete redesign and then recertification process...

 

[Tylerjcloud92]

Not to be Debby downer but there are problems that can't be fixed...There is an 800+ page thread on the Chevy forum about massive issues with Silverado vibration. The owners have been "patiently" waiting for a fix for years...GM has a new Silverado model out and I have a sneaking suspicion that the Silverado vibration will never be fixed. There are issues with geometry and materials that can't be fixed without a complete redesign and then recertification process...

Maybe so but I think this is a big enough problem affecting a lot of vehicles and it’s getting attention that could hurt sales, besides it’s very obviously a bad steering box designed or calibration I don’t see how that would warrant a redesign of the vehicle.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Can you guess what the number one complaint is?

See video below. It sucks that the guy in the video from The Fast Lane Car selected the WRONG top list of complaints to bring to the designer of the JL. He should of used the one from the Jeep Informant. He didn't ask about the steering issues which is related to safety! Moron.

 

[DanPop]

Not to be Debby downer but there are problems that can't be fixed...There is an 800+ page thread on the Chevy forum about massive issues with Silverado vibration. The owners have been "patiently" waiting for a fix for years...GM has a new Silverado model out and I have a sneaking suspicion that the Silverado vibration will never be fixed. There are issues with geometry and materials that can't be fixed without a complete redesign and then recertification process...

Considering that many have been fixed, if the damn dealer will cooperate, your statement is ridiculous.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Check out https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ner-responds-to-top-5-complaints-video.13801/ and please comment on that thread as well to get more attention to the steering issues.

 

[chadc880]

What was the part number of the steering box was it the AC ? Version

UPDATE:
I picked up my Jeep this afternoon from the dealer after they installed a new steering box. I cannot say there was any improvement. A meaningful dead spot remains in the steering wheel.

Here is a little info on myself. I learned how to drive on a 1943 MB. I owned a 1979 CJ 7, 2002 Sahara and a 2012 Sahara. I cannot comment about the steering of the MB nor would I of the CJ 7. I can attest to the 2002 and the 2012 Sahara’s. Neither of them had this steering issue.

I have provided the same update to JeepCares and requested their continued assistance.

 

[Jlrut]

What was the part number of the steering box was it the AC ? Version

I'll check the paperwork when I get home.

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