Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[Bearded_Dragon]

just wait maybe psc will come out with a replacement or something. I went and test drove another 2 door with the same result I'm starting to think the people who've had theirs "fixed" are just used to the way it steers and it's just a problem with the box desighn

I'll drive my Wrangler for a day or two then go back to another vehicle and end up swerving back and forth in my lane since I'm so used to the shitty Wrangler steering. Good thing is I adjust back to normal steering after a couple hundred feet lol.

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[HiJinx69]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Now we're hearing about a new version of the steering box. I wonder what they changed.

Can anyone who had the steering lock-up issue confirm if they also had loose steering? If not, it sure points to a problem with the new steering box. I check all mechanical connections in my steering, and the only place with noticeable play is between the input shaft and sector shaft of the steering box.

I had the lock-up issue, posted my infamous WTF!-video when it first happened back in June. It’s been about a month and a half with the new steering box. The play/dead zone is the same as before. Planning on TSB flash in the next couple of weeks. Will post if it helped or not.

 

[jeremyjeep]

just wait maybe psc will come out with a replacement or something. I went and test drove another 2 door with the same result I'm starting to think the people who've had theirs "fixed" are just used to the way it steers and it's just a problem with the box desighn

I think there are different levels of "fix". For example, the software update did fix the need to "white knuckle" driving to keep it from pulling hard into other lanes, but after the software update, the steering is now drifting and wandering gently. Multiple layers of problems, yes perhaps to a design flaw in the steering box, but might be a combination of problems that need to be addressed (lose joint nuts, over tightened control arms, software update, adjusting the steering box, etc.). But at least after the software update, you can drive it without worrying about a head-on collision due to steering. Maybe your test drives are at the level that people are now after the software update. The 2 door you test drove either was mfg after the May 2018 date when it already had the software update applied, or the dealership may have applied the update to it already, thus you don't experience the extreme steering problems and you only see the simpler steering issues, but many of us did.

 

[JeepCares]

Just dropped mine off this morning to have the steering "play" issue addressed. The service department wasn't crazy about me providing the recommendations from this thread but they obviously didn't know anything about the issue(s). I basically asked them to re-flash per the TSB and check the torque on the Ball Joint nuts. The response was..."did I search the TSB against my VIN". I replied that a lot of owners were getting resolution even if their VIN was not included. I was immediately blown off until I threatened to escalate to @JeepCares if they didn't flash.

It's still in the shop...I'll update one way or the other but not feeling real confident at this point.[/USER]

Hi Mickglf00,

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[Mickgolf00]

Just dropped mine off this morning to have the steering "play" issue addressed. The service department wasn't crazy about me providing the recommendations from this thread but they obviously didn't know anything about the issue(s). I basically asked them to re-flash per the TSB and check the torque on the Ball Joint nuts. The response was..."did I search the TSB against my VIN". I replied that a lot of owners were getting resolution even if their VIN was not included. I was immediately blown off until I threatened to escalate to @JeepCares if they didn't flash.

It's still in the shop...I'll update one way or the other but not feeling real confident at this point.[/USER]

Update: Got it back from the dealer and noticed some improvement in steering following the re-flash. I still notice some looseness and drift but not nearly as much. It might just need the steering assembly tweak to get it tuned correctly. Dealer begrudgingly did it after I threatened to get FCA involved. I’m keeping an eye on this thread for updates and have filed a complaint with the NHTSB.
Side note. I think the dealer sandbagged return of my vehicle because I gave them so much grief. 15 minutes for the flash. Dropped it off @ 0730, drove by and saw it sitting on the lot @ 12:30, didn’t get a call for pick up until 3:45. Lot and maintenance bays were empty. Had the nerve to ask me to give them good marks on the survey.

Update2:
Dropped my JLU Sahara off at the local dealer on 8/28. Service techs acknowledged the issue with an accompanied test drive at the end of the day. Had a Star escalation by the next day. Wait for it.....yes....it’s still at the dealership as of today (9/18). I’m so beside myself that it’s almost comical at this point. No sense of urgency from either Star or my case manager. I’m being told by my case manager that the Star process is the escalation and that I need to have patience with the process. Whaaat!!??i guess I may be asking too much to expect a problem free vehicle within the first 3K of ownership. Problem is that I had a similarly problematic first 6 months of ownership on a new 2012 Grand Cherokee I owned prior to this. I guess it is true the hope is not a strategy!The dealership technicians are super frustrated as well which is basically where we are. No flashes, tightening, adjustments, or inspections have made a difference at this point. I’ll update again if anything changes, get a fix, or invoke my states Lemon Law process.
Watching this thread close. Good luck!

 

[Holymoly1963]

Update: Got it back from the dealer and noticed some improvement in steering following the re-flash. I still notice some looseness and drift but not nearly as much. It might just need the steering assembly tweak to get it tuned correctly. Dealer begrudgingly did it after I threatened to get FCA involved. I’m keeping an eye on this thread for updates and have filed a complaint with the NHTSB.
Side note. I think the dealer sandbagged return of my vehicle because I gave them so much grief. 15 minutes for the flash. Dropped it off @ 0730, drove by and saw it sitting on the lot @ 12:30, didn’t get a call for pick up until 3:45. Lot and maintenance bays were empty. Had the nerve to ask me to give them good marks on the survey.

I suspect you read their behavior correctly..when will these folks realize we are the sources of their income. As an old friend on mine used to say "I can't deal with idiots." Grade "em as you see 'em.

 

[Holymoly1963]

Well we've hit 1000 posts now and we're still pretty much in the wilderness. Getting kinda tired.

 

[parkertl]

How do you guys explain the sensation to a service, sales or customer care person?

I equate it to driving an RV in high winds that force it one way or another and correcting it is nerve racking.

 

[hubble]

I've had mine at the dealer twice for the steering issue. First time tech said all vehicles with big tires drive like that and nothing was done. Second time I was told it was normal for the JL (I guess thats kind of true) and they checked the alignment, it was perfect according to them. They would not flash the TSB because it does not pertain to my VIN. I took delivery of my Jeep 6-16-2018. My steering has gotten better with more miles on it. I'm at 3000 now and it drives much better. It still wanders from left to right and there's still play in the steering wheel but not nearly as bad and I think this is as good as its gonna get. My question is what could have happened to make it get better with more miles? It's still not right and I'm not happy with it.

 

[Mr Bill]

i picked mine up 16 July and have around 2,000 miles on it now I just like you I notice it is driving a "little" better not sure how or why either something "happens" when you put more miles on it or you get use to it? I am going to start to pay more attention as I continue the mileage climb have yet to take on a long highway trip so that will be the big test!

 

[jeremyjeep]

Update: Got it back from the dealer and noticed some improvement in steering following the re-flash. I still notice some looseness and drift but not nearly as much. It might just need the steering assembly tweak to get it tuned correctly. Dealer begrudgingly did it after I threatened to get FCA involved. I’m keeping an eye on this thread for updates and have filed a complaint with the NHTSB.
Side note. I think the dealer sandbagged return of my vehicle because I gave them so much grief. 15 minutes for the flash. Dropped it off @ 0730, drove by and saw it sitting on the lot @ 12:30, didn’t get a call for pick up until 3:45. Lot and maintenance bays were empty. Had the nerve to ask me to give them good marks on the survey.

Are you sure they flashed it? Even though their invoice may say they implemented the TSB steering flash, doesn't mean they did. As I've mentioned a few times, since we can check iPhones, androids, computers for the current OS version, there has to be a way to check the version of our vehicle's software. Can someone find out how we can check it to verify the flash was done? I asked my dealership to check the ball joints, etc. They said they did, but I watched and they never raised my vehicle on a lift, so they obviously lied.

 

[GinjaNinja]

I'll drive my Wrangler for a day or two then go back to another vehicle and end up swerving back and forth in my lane since I'm so used to the shitty Wrangler steering. Good thing is I adjust back to normal steering after a couple hundred feet lol.

Hahaha this happened to the today...drove my wife’s Mercedes and I was all over the road for a bit.

 

[Holymoly1963]

i picked mine up 16 July and have around 2,000 miles on it now I just like you I notice it is driving a "little" better not sure how or why either something "happens" when you put more miles on it or you get use to it? I am going to start to pay more attention as I continue the mileage climb have yet to take on a long highway trip so that will be the big test!

I'm convinced the human brain does a lot of compensating for the poor steering, but as I drive mine down the highway, I can still move the steering wheel back and forth a couple of inches and the Jeep does not change direction. That ain't right! If I did that with any of my other vehicles, my passengers would be hurling and we'd be in the ditch.

 

[Arndog36]

I've been having this problem from the day I bought my new JLU last week and have been blown off/deflected by the dealership at every opportunity. "It's just a Jeep thing" "That's just how they drive" etc. Just got done driving a JKU daily for the last 3 years and test drove a JLU at a different dealership that did not have this problem. They have refused to apply the TSB since it doesn't apply to my VIN range and just gave me it back after 5 days at the dealership saying they could not replicate the problem. I take the service rep at his word since he claims he drives a TJ as his daily driver. The problem is absolutely still there and easily noticable.

The only thing I've been able to narrow down is that it seems to pull left when I accelerate and pull right when I let off the gas. Both will drift you out of your lane almost immediately unless you apply steering input to correct it which ends up having me bounce between the edges of my lane in city traffic when you are trying to keep pace with the vehicle in front of you. You end up swerving throughout your lane like a drunk driver does, ping-ponging down the road bouncing between the lane lines.

Is this similar to other's experience? Does acceleration/deceleration exacerbate the steering problem for anyone else?

 

[Holymoly1963]

I bought my wife a new Rubicon JL and I drove it the other day and it seems to have some play in the steering and feels like I am constantly trying to correct the direction we are traveling. I thought it was out of alignment but I went and drove another one and it felt the same way. Is anyone else feel this issue and is it just the way it is or is it just a jeep thing? We just sold our 2013 JKU and it was like that too but I expected improved steering on the new JL model. I would like to hear her peoples thoughts about this steering play or drifting feeling. O by the way, She loves her new ride!

Did you ever hit a nerve with this very first post back in February! Thanks.

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