Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[Jeepsterfreak]

Ok, did some testing today as my OCD is in overdrive about this. Im ok with the way mine drives. I can do 75 on the highway with one hand/finger, pass semis with no issues, stay in the lane, jeep drives straight when i let go of the wheel, and it returns ti center albeit a bit slower than my wifes honda and hella slower than my previous audi.

So, im seeing these post of users stating when parked and running any slight movement of the wheels moves the tires ever so slightly...hard to see and impossible to record. This is driving mu OCD because mine does not do this.

Mine is similar, but i have to move it about a 1/3 inch either direction before i can see the wheel move. I figured i would see what happens when i jack the front end up and then try since i thought the resistance of the tires on pavement could impact the movement of the tires.

So i jacked up the front end via the axle abd proceeded to try out my test. I got the same results as if the tires were on the ground. Took 1/3 inch either direction of steering wheel movement before the tires moved.

So the next thing i did was adjust the the steering box by 1/16 of an inch so it would not be noticeable by the dealer unless they are trolling this forum. The mark across the nut and allen screw is pretty broad so a slight adjust is hard to notice. 1/8 inch movement and yes you can see it. 1/4 inch and youll probably introduce more issues than you’re trying to fix.

I did this by loosening the nut first which also turns the allen screw since its locked to the nut with red locktite and then tightening it back down. By breaking the locktite free it allows you to get some additional movement when you crank it back down. I didnt even attempt to adjust the allen screw.
Quick tip here. If you dont have a heat gun allow your jeep to warm up or drive it around a bit and then do the adjustment. This warms up the steering box making it easier to break the nut loose.

I checked the play in the wheel and now it takes 1/4 inch steering input before i see movement in the tires. I didnt want to adjust too much for fear of stripping out the nut or causing other issues like super tight steering or lockup at 55mph+.

Havent taken it for a drive yet, but will later today and will report back.

I also checked each and every part of the steering linkage from the wheels, intermediate shaft, steering box, pitman arm, and control arms. Everythign was tight and the dead spot is in the steering box. When my son turned the wheel 1/3 inch i could see everythign move up to the steering box, but past the box is the pitman arm and it didnt move. I have videos I’ll post later.

Wow. Thanks for doing this.

Just curious how you are measuring 1/3 and 1/4 inch of steering wheel movement. Are you measuring on the outer diameter of the steering wheel?

I think it would be hard to eyeball this without making some kind of reference markings.

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[Saejin]

I’m eyeballing it. Thought about taping some kind of stick to the dash and having it rest on the wheel. That would provide some more exact measurements, but I’m too lazy to do that and would rather just jack up the Jeep...ha.

Anyway, just got back from driving it. It’s not a night and day difference as my Steering wasn’t that bad to begin with, but it is noticeable. I was happy with it before and a bit happier now...don’t think I’ll be adjusting it any further.

Also, just realized my Jeep will also continue going in around in a circle and not return to center only if I have the wheel cranked all the way to the left or right. If taking a normal turn the. It returns to center fine.

I’m good for now, but would be up for having a local Wrangler JL meet if some other users in the MD/VA/DC area are experiencing steering issues so we can compare.

 

[x8086]

Not sure who lives where and what the average outside temperature is but I live in the Pacific Northwest. We've had unusually hot weather here since June of this year. The Wrangler was purchased in July and here is where it's interesting.

The morning temperature is 55-60 on average. No steering issues. Yeah it drives like a Jeep.

As soon as it warms up to 75F and higher outside temperature I must use two hands and pray that it stays between the lanes. Drifting and darting like I'm driving my all-wheel steering John Deer tractor. Everything feels loose and sloppy.

Build date June 2018

 

[mischman]

Not sure who lives where and what the average outside temperature is but I live in the Pacific Northwest. We've had unusually hot weather here since June of this year. The Wrangler was purchased in July and here is where it's interesting.

The morning temperature is 55-60 on average. No steering issues. Yeah it drives like a Jeep.

As soon as it warms up to 75F and higher outside temperature I must use two hands and pray that it stays between the lanes. Drifting and darting like I'm driving my all-wheel steering John Deer tractor. Everything feels loose and sloppy.

Build date June 2018

Funny you mention that. I live in Florida, its been 95 during the day. Its a nice night and 75, i drove the Jeep and it steered decent. What can heat effect. Only thing i can think of is the tires.

 

[x8086]

Funny you mention that. I live in Florida, its been 95 during the day. Its a nice night and 75, i drove the Jeep and it steered decent. What can heat effect. Only thing i can think of is the tires.

Aluminum gearbox?

 

[mischman]

Aluminum gearbox?

I'm no expert and im sure other people can give more input but im not sure how 10-15 degrees should make such a major change on a gearbox.

 

[x8086]

I'm no expert and im sure other people can give more input but im not sure how 10-15 degrees should make such a major change on a gearbox.

I hear ya, but it's less of a problem with lower temperatures. Not the first time I noticed.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Funny you mention that. I live in Florida, its been 95 during the day. Its a nice night and 75, i drove the Jeep and it steered decent. What can heat effect. Only thing i can think of is the tires.

Does it drive different during 95 vs 75? If yes, can you elaborate on the steering symptoms?

 

[jeremyjeep]

Ok, did some testing today as my OCD is in overdrive about this. Im ok with the way mine drives. I can do 75 on the highway with one hand/finger, pass semis with no issues, stay in the lane, jeep drives straight when i let go of the wheel, and it returns ti center albeit a bit slower than my wifes honda and hella slower than my previous audi.

So, im seeing these post of users stating when parked and running any slight movement of the wheels moves the tires ever so slightly...hard to see and impossible to record. This is driving mu OCD because mine does not do this.

Mine is similar, but i have to move it about a 1/3 inch either direction before i can see the wheel move. I figured i would see what happens when i jack the front end up and then try since i thought the resistance of the tires on pavement could impact the movement of the tires.

So i jacked up the front end via the axle abd proceeded to try out my test. I got the same results as if the tires were on the ground. Took 1/3 inch either direction of steering wheel movement before the tires moved.

So the next thing i did was adjust the the steering box by 1/16 of an inch so it would not be noticeable by the dealer unless they are trolling this forum. The mark across the nut and allen screw is pretty broad so a slight adjust is hard to notice. 1/8 inch movement and yes you can see it. 1/4 inch and youll probably introduce more issues than you’re trying to fix.

I did this by loosening the nut first which also turns the allen screw since its locked to the nut with red locktite and then tightening it back down. By breaking the locktite free it allows you to get some additional movement when you crank it back down. I didnt even attempt to adjust the allen screw.
Quick tip here. If you dont have a heat gun allow your jeep to warm up or drive it around a bit and then do the adjustment. This warms up the steering box making it easier to break the nut loose.

I checked the play in the wheel and now it takes 1/4 inch steering input before i see movement in the tires. I didnt want to adjust too much for fear of stripping out the nut or causing other issues like super tight steering or lockup at 55mph+.

Havent taken it for a drive yet, but will later today and will report back.

I also checked each and every part of the steering linkage from the wheels, intermediate shaft, steering box, pitman arm, and control arms. Everythign was tight and the dead spot is in the steering box. When my son turned the wheel 1/3 inch i could see everythign move up to the steering box, but past the box is the pitman arm and it didnt move. I have videos I’ll post later.

Fascinating. Questions:

1. If it has 1/3 or 1/4 inch steering input on the steering wheel before the tires move, shouldn't it drive worse versus a vehicle that has no delay?

2. When you adjusted the steering box, shouldn't you of needed to move the allen screw by 1/16 vs the nut?

3. How much force did you apply to get the nut loose on the steering box? Did you use a regular wrench or a socket? It would be cool to see a video of someone getting the nut loose.

Thanks for doing this research.

 

[x8086]

Does it drive different during 95 vs 75? If yes, can you elaborate on the steering symptoms?

Lower temperatures hardly any steering wheel play and can drive with one hand or finger at 60mph+ speeds.

Higher, especially 90 degree+ weather it wanders, drifts and has slack or play in the steering wheel. Darts unexpectedly.

 

[mischman]

Does it drive different during 95 vs 75? If yes, can you elaborate on the steering symptoms?

Lower temperatures hardly any steering wheel play and can drive with one hand or finger at 60mph+ speeds.

Higher, especially 90 degree+ weather it wanders, drifts and has slack or play in the steering wheel. Darts unexpectedly.

Mine is similar.

Mine had loose ball joints, i tightened them down and most of the wandering went away and the handling improved. It still has a giant dead spot, i can go left to right 1-2" before the front wheels start to engage. when you do need to make a slight steering adjustment you have to turn the steering wheel like a boat and it requires over correction. If youre going in a straight line, it wants to go in a straight line too, no problem. When you turn the steering wheel through the 1-2" deadspot...there is little to no resistance from the steering wheel.

When it seems to be cold out....some of the dead spot seems to be gone and there is also some resistance on turning the steering wheel through the dead spot. I wouldnt say the steering is tight compared to any car ive ever driven...its still more loose than any car but it is noticeably tighter when its cold out with less of a dead spot.

 

[viper88]

Funny you mention that. I live in Florida, its been 95 during the day. Its a nice night and 75, i drove the Jeep and it steered decent. What can heat effect. Only thing i can think of is the tires.

Might be fluids or metal expanding and contracting?

 

[mischman]

Might be fluids or metal expanding and contracting?

Do we have fluid in any part of our suspension?

The only thing i can think of its the steering box or tires getting harder with cold.

 

[TJ&JL]

Might be fluids or metal expanding and contracting?

TSB 08-092-18 under Symptom/Condition A customer may describe a high steering effort occurring only during colder ambient and system operating temperatures and at speeds above 96 KPH (60mph). At lower speeds or warmer system temperature the steering assist will feel normal.

 

[x8086]

Do we have fluid in any part of our suspension?

The only thing i can think of its the steering box or tires getting harder with cold.

I drove 145 miles from the Washington coast to Tacoma this morning with 63F outside and its like driving a different vehicle.

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