Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[chadc880]

Here is the best way to explain our steering issue.

Funny part is at 0:08

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[Fizzlepop]

When you say "removing your stabilizer", do you mean turn off the ESC/traction control by pressing the button on the dash?

Nope, I mean removing the steering stabilizer. I'm wondering if, unlike the JKs, the stabilizer is actually needed in the JLs to combat the wander from the loose steering.

Imagine that wander, hitting a pothole at 40, with no dampener to lessen the shock of the hit. Sounds like enough to get a DW rolling to me. If both drag link ends are good, that wander is going to go somewhere when its bumped. Only place for it to go without a stabilizer is up the drag link, through the pitman, and into the gearbox.

Just curious, of course. But, I've noticed the stabilizer is a lot larger than the ones that used to be on the JK. They sure did beef up a component that was just there to prevent the steering wheel from being yanked out of your hands.

 

[x8086]

Here is the best way to explain our steering issue.

Funny part is at 0:08

ok dude.. I about pissed my pants when I saw this. This is exactly what we are experiencing here.

For giggles, I lowered my tire pressure to 33PSI and drove it around the block being 81F outside. Now I can feel wobble and the steering feels slow and unresponsive. Less twitch. It feels like it's removed from the wheel and the forces are applied to the tires. I can feel the wobble in the floor and almost like the tires needed balancing. Going from 36 to 33 shouldn't make that big of a difference should it?

Dealer appointment next week. I don't expect a fix but this is to document the sketchy welds and steering.

 

[Holymoly1963]

Who is saying there isn't a steering problem?

A regional FCA rep in the southeastern US told me that last week after test driving my JL.

 

[jeremyjeep]

A regional FCA rep in the southeastern US told me that last week after test driving my JL.

Are you having the temperature version of the steering problem? If yes, did they drive it during a hot part of the day? Did they test drive it with you in the vehicle so you could watch them handle the steering wheel?

 

[jeremyjeep]

Here is the best way to explain our steering issue.

Funny part is at 0:08

That's sad, funny, true. I think I know why we are having all the steering problems AND why so many dealers and FCA people say they don't see the problem. They get high/drunk at lunch and "don't see the problem" or say "its a Jeep thing":

 

[Saejin]

For FCA to fix this with a recall would cost a ton of money and tarnish the good press they’ve got going with the new JL. They’re willing to fix it by exception or let the dealers handle it who are always reluctant to fix something.

 

[Holymoly1963]

Are you having the temperature version of the steering problem? If yes, did they drive it during a hot part of the day? Did they test drive it with you in the vehicle so you could watch them handle the steering wheel?

Haven't noticed a temp component, just too much play. Yes I was riding with the rep, who drives a Ram truck for his job. His hands were moving back and forth, which he said was unlike his Ram, but this was "normal" for a Wrangler.

 

[Cypher]

This is a huge step forward. I think this is the first dealer who actually adjusted the steering adjuster. Mine gave the ok but after it wouldn't budge didn't take it any further because a new steering box was on order.


PLEASE NOTE SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT !!!! Do not take another JL from a dealer lot to compare. Chances are it has the same steering box issue and will be loose. I think the early built JL's had the tight steering box.

USE A JK TO COMPARE!!! No the JK steering box is not the same and will not fit in a JL but many dealers still have JK's on their lot and the JK steers perfect.

I rented a JK over the weekend and it was very clear the JK has much better steering in all situations. Before returning it Monday, I went to a local dealership and drove a few JLs that were built later than mine and they all had much worse steering. I need a new Rubicon, and I am actually really considering another JKUR instead of a JLUR. Seems it may be a safer bet for a few years while the bugs are worked out.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Haven't noticed a temp component, just too much play. Yes I was riding with the rep, who drives a Ram truck for his job. His hands were moving back and forth, which he said was unlike his Ram, but this was "normal" for a Wrangler.

I rented a JK over the weekend and it was very clear the JK has much better steering in all situations. Before returning it Monday, I went to a local dealership and drove a few JLs that were built later than mine and they all had much worse steering. I need a new Rubicon, and I am actually really considering another JKUR instead of a JLUR. Seems it may be a safer bet for a few years while the bugs are worked out.

If I would of known of these problems, I would of purchased a JKUR instead of a JLUR.

 

[Cypher]

If I would of known of these problems, I would of purchased a JKUR instead of a JLUR.

The JLUR still has a lot of advantages, in fact one small detail that we really don’t want to give up is the normal door stop detents. Having a 8yr old, a JK is asking for trouble with the way the door just swings open in the wind etc. it also shut on her getting out on a slope, so we really don’t like that. Don’t get me wrong, overall the JL is much nicer across the board, but it does seem like there may be more 1st year gremlins than we want to deal with long term. I am looking for info on the 2019 to see if I can get one ordered soon, otherwise I am not really sure what we will do.

 

[danielmio]

I also noticed play a few months ago but being my first jeep I thought this was normal for the type of vehicle. But I can move the wheel back and forth while driving about 1/2-1” before the wheels do anything. So the theory is that if there is play then the vehicle has room to sway even if you are holding the wheel, which makes the input constant and more to move. It sucks. It does. But the wrangler is the best vehicle for me and I do enjoy it. I gave up my focus rs for it which had amazing handling, so tough to compare anyway. There are plenty of benefits the wrangler provides us which is why we chose it..I would hate for FCA to think this as well on its customers so they don’t feel they need to fix it. That we will like it regardless of issues since we can’t find another brand similar.

 

[Richamby]

I have my steering to the point I can tolerate it but all this being equal, I really enjoy this JL, it’s the best Jeep I’ve been in.
I feel Jeep is working on the issues and have made a lot of manufacturing changes since the beginning. This is a process.
Folks purchasing a JL now don’t seem to have the issues like the earlier ones.
I feel like, TSB, tire pressure, some toe in, tightening any loose ball joint nuts, and making a slight adjustment to the steering box would address most of the later JL steering issues. Dealers need to get their heads out of the sand and preform these remedies on anyone’s Jeep that complains.
Note it, document the alignment and tire pressures, and if the problem is still there, get a case number and Corporate involved.
Jeep Corporate needs to make sure these local techs know how to adjust the steering box properly. To use heat, to loosen the loc-tite and to hold the screw still while they break the lock nut loose. To turn the screw in 1/8 turn, hold it while you tighten the lock nut. Drive the vehicle to insure that it still returns to center.
In the meantime, Jeep needs to build a little more caster into the front axle and re-evaluate the bump steer characteristics of the front suspension. Make sure that soft compliance bushings aren’t causing steering dynamics to change.
Let’s get these Jeep owners happy and move on. Let’s address any issues and move on.
Happy Jeeping

 

[moonpup]

So, if our dead spot in the steering wheel is 1/2 - 1 inch, we should consider ourselves lucky and assume we have one of the "good" ones?

 

[Richamby]

Not sure if that qualifies as a good one in my book.

You need to determine that, but 1 inch is a lot of play.

My JL requires little corrections as I drive on 2 lane roads but seems to have less on a nice 4 lane highway.

If you have always driven vehicles with rack and pinion steering, a Jeep will never have the steering feel and feedback of that type system. Rack and pinion use to be a sports car thing.

Our Jeeps have truck stuff, I looked at Redhead steering boxes and Ford forums and guys over there complain too. Most get the steering adjusted to ‘normal”, whatever that is.

My hopes are that this is a adjustment issue for all involved or limited to the steering box. I really feel for you guys that are battling this issue and just want to help any way possible.

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