Major steering issue problem with JL Wrangler. Please watch

[HiJinx69]

Dont get me wrong the steering isnt as solid feeling as the ram they gave me as a loaner. But the Steering is just a lot better/tighter than what i had previously to me.

Thanks for correcting me. It's still frustrating as hell that they don't have a concrete fix yet. Best of luck with your JL!

Sponsored

 

[Moto_21]

Thanks for correcting me. It's still frustrating as hell that they don't have a concrete fix yet. Best of luck with your JL!

i hear ya. I think if i had a fixed/better stabilizer on top of the new gear box I think the steering would feel perfect to me. The steering wheel tracks and stays straight over bumps now, but i think with a little firmer stabilizer it would give me a little more movement resistance that i think its missing.

 

[fpiantini]

Glad to hear it, @fpiantini! Please feel free to send our team a message at any time.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

OK. It's been 2 weeks since I got my JL back from the dealer and I can report good news... I have not had the lockup issue since then and have had continued good experiences. Whatever they did (which I noted in an earlier post) worked. For now. I am only skeptical in that this issue did not make itself known until I had had the Jeep for a while. But I will report back if it comes back!

 

[ThaThrill]

I have also noticed this issue in my JLU on 4-5 occasions. 2 of occurred in colder temps. One occasion I was locked and couldn't turn as the road curved on a highway. I thought I was going to crash. I scheduled an appointment into the dealership tomorrow. My friend/coworker who just got a JL Sport states she having similiar issues. This is very troublesome. Never really had this issue in a car before.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

I have also noticed this issue in my JLU on 4-5 occasions. 2 of occurred in colder temps. One occasion I was locked and couldn't turn as the road curved on a highway. I thought I was going to crash. I scheduled an appointment into the dealership tomorrow. My friend/coworker who just got a JL Sport states she having similiar issues. This is very troublesome. Never really had this issue in a car before.

Report the problem to NHTSA. This is a very serious issue. Don’t let the dealer blow you off by stating “could not duplicate” as I suspect they will try to do.

That’s why it’s important to report it to NHTSA in addition to your dealer appointment.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

 

[golong27]

So my steering locked up this morning going around a curve at 50mph - fortunately i had enough steering input in it before it locked to get around the corner before going in the ditch. It continued to lock up and free for the next half a mile. The Jeep is usually in the garage at night but has been sitting out this week in the 20s.

Already made an appointment with the dealership but they hadn't heard of this problem so I'm expecting the "can't recreate it" excuse.

Is there a real fix for this yet? Looks like several things have been tried that could solve the problem. If there's no real fix then there may be a 2018 JLU for sale soon....

 

[HiJinx69]

So my steering locked up this morning going around a curve at 50mph - fortunately i had enough steering input in it before it locked to get around the corner before going in the ditch. It continued to lock up and free for the next half a mile. The Jeep is usually in the garage at night but has been sitting out this week in the 20s.

Already made an appointment with the dealership but they hadn't heard of this problem so I'm expecting the "can't recreate it" excuse.

Is there a real fix for this yet? Looks like several things have been tried that could solve the problem. If there's no real fix then there may be a 2018 JLU for sale soon....

That's B.S. The lock up is known to FCA, the dealer should too. It's somewhat academic now that this occurs. Firstly, file a complaint with NHTSA and get in touch with Jeep Cares if they can't replicate. Mine did it last year and they replaced steering gear. Fixed it.

 

[Jimac]

That's B.S. The lock up is known to FCA, the dealer should too. It's somewhat academic now that this occurs. Firstly, file a complaint with NHTSA and get in touch with Jeep Cares if they can't replicate. Mine did it last year and they replaced steering gear. Fixed it.

And secondly start naming these Dealerships that lie and give less than proper service.

 

[californiajeeping]

Mopar has a new JL track bar for both the 2018 and 2019 that has stiffer bushings designed to address JL steering problems. Details are at https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...s-addresses-steering-issues-68394087aa.25299/ There are also new toe-in recommendations.

 

[HiJinx69]

Thought this was educational. At the 4:14, there was looseness on the drag link and then on the track bar.

 

[californiajeeping]

Thought this was educational. At the 4:14, there was looseness on the drag link and then on the track bar.

Great video. I just wish they would of addressed the loose drag link at the pitman arm that they found and showed them checking torque on the suspicious track bar looseness. Is there a part 2 somewhere?

 

[HiJinx69]

Great video. I just wish they would of addressed the loose drag link at the pitman arm that they found and showed them checking torque on the suspicious track bar looseness. Is there a part 2 somewhere?

Nope. This was just uploaded yesterday. I'm sure he'll get an aftermarket drag link and track bar. I'm going to check mine a little later.

 

[intentsrig]

Great video. I just wish they would of addressed the loose drag link at the pitman arm that they found and showed them checking torque on the suspicious track bar looseness. Is there a part 2 somewhere?

My drag link bushing at the pitman arm makes a noise and will probably be loose like this at some point.

 

[HiJinx69]

Whoa, I am so glad I found this video!

Just as in the video, I had my wife move the steering wheel as I got under the Jeep to feel for any movement in the joints and too my surprise, the drag link at the pitman arm has issues. Tie rods were fine, and as soon as I put my thumb across the pitman arm and drag link, there is a very noticeable thump and cross play between the two! As the drag link moves across the center, the pitman arm does not move right away and there is a thump/crunch in the ball joint. After that then it will move. I think this is the play looseness, in my case.

Unfortunately, I stopped right there and forgot to check the track bar! I have never done hard core off roading, never had extreme flexing, just light stuff. I think drag links are weak.

 

[californiajeeping]

Whoa, I am so glad I found this video!

Just as in the video, I had my wife move the steering wheel as I got under the Jeep to feel for any movement in the joints and too my surprise, the drag link at the pitman arm has issues. Tie rods were fine, and as soon as I put my thumb across the pitman arm and drag link, there is a very noticeable thump and cross play between the two! As the drag link moves across the center, the pitman arm does not move right away and there is a thump/crunch in the ball joint. After that then it will move. I think this is the play looseness, in my case.

Unfortunately, I stopped right there and forgot to check the track bar! I have never done hard core off roading, never had extreme flexing, just light stuff. I think drag links are weak.

Just like the new JL track bar that has stiffer bushings, there is a new inner drag link that is also re-enforced. The new Mopar part number is 68258760AD, new as of mid-Feb.

Sponsored