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Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

df007

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Mine is noticeably tighter when stone cold and harder to feel the "ends" of the play. As soon as it all warms up the play is 1-1.5" and has a distinct dead spot. When the car is stopped after this I can see the column moving into the steering gearbox and no pitman arm movement out.

Pretty sure Jeep does not want people messing with the screw so the steering system does not lock up once winter comes around and someone drives off with everything ultra cold.

Seems like they got all the tolerance stack-ups wrong vs. temperature and thermal expansion.
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RagTopDeluxe

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Just food for thought....and I’m no car mechanic. Hell I can hardly follow the manual.

Now, if the steering is loose, and you can move the steering wheel it a inch or so either way with no direct wheel reaction, wouldn’t it also work in the opposite way. Meaning the wheels can follow there own mind without you, as a driver feeling any change in the wheel?
So you’re holding the steering wheel straight but the tires an move either way with out you having any input.
If the steering was tight, it couldn’t wander. So what s the device/part that controls the tightness of the steering wheel ?
I don’t see that as being a damper, tie rod or alignment items. I only see the direct link from the steering wheel to the mechanism as the gear box. Why can’t a dealer try to adjust a hair at a time and document the results?

So..if you went to a dealer lot, started a wrangler and the wheel is nice and tight, wouldn’t it be likely this was not a wanderer?
I'm no mechanic, either. I design software and play with pixels all day, so I have a learning curve when it comes to this.

There is definitely more than just excessive play in the steering wheel. It feels like a disconnect between the steering wheel and the steering system.


I submitted an issue with the NHTSA this morning as well.
 
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UDUBJL

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I also have the issue even after the V41 recall. I have noticed the last couple of times going through the drive through that when my steering wheel is turned and i come to a stop that the steering wheel will start to turn some on its own. Enough that while I'm holding the wheel fairly tight it is pulling against my hand. When i let go of the wheel it turns approximately 2 inches. It reminds me of a hydraulic feel. Sorry just the best way to describe it. Anyone else notice this?
 

spudf16

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first time post:

Brand new 2019 Jeep JL Wrangler Rubicon. Has less than 700 miles; problem was noticeable immediately upon delivery of vehicle. Issue: steering has a "dead spot" when wheels are straight center. This dead spot is about 2 inches of play, and most noticeable when driving over 50 mph. I have rough Jeep in SEVERAL times. V41 recall (steering damper) already completed, along with all steering components to include: steering box (AE); track bar; front bar; drag link; tie rod; socket drive (connects to pitman arm). Tire pressures checked and realigned. NO CHANGE. Not sure where else to go now. Driving at freeway speeds is not safe! I constantly have to correct steering on straight sections (like a bowling ball going down alley with bumpers on sides). In other words, you have to over-correct to because Jeep does not start to turn until past dead spot.

I posted complaint on NHTSA website. At this point, we need to get Jeep to study this issue and improve the steering box or bushings and issue as a recall immediately. If safety is #1 and paramount...then prove to us you care.
 

M0ondogy

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this is a new complaint I haven't heard before, I'm not sure you will find any help in this thread.

keep in mind that once you turn the wheel though the dead spot, the power steering may kick in abruptly. so if your wife was turning the wheel without getting a response (while in the dead zone), she may have overreacted and turned it too much (and power steering kicks in). and back and forth. driver induced oscillation. DIO.

welcome to the JL. file your complaint here:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

I think I poorly explained it.

It's more of the dead spot situation that we a majority of the post here.....

However, with the minor corrections being made over and over resulting in the corrections getting larger and larger until the wheel is whipping from side to side and the driver's is fighting it to keep the Jeep going strait. Flipping became a real concern on two separate occasions. Only had it for 3 days and just over 200 miles on it.

It all starts with the dead spot and trying to get the Jeep tracking strait.

I'm fearing the 25 mile drive to the dealer service center tomorrow morning.
 

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kobejo34

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first time post:

Brand new 2019 Jeep JL Wrangler Rubicon. Has less than 700 miles; problem was noticeable immediately upon delivery of vehicle. Issue: steering has a "dead spot" when wheels are straight center. This dead spot is about 2 inches of play, and most noticeable when driving over 50 mph. I have rough Jeep in SEVERAL times. V41 recall (steering damper) already completed, along with all steering components to include: steering box (AE); track bar; front bar; drag link; tie rod; socket drive (connects to pitman arm). Tire pressures checked and realigned. NO CHANGE. Not sure where else to go now. Driving at freeway speeds is not safe! I constantly have to correct steering on straight sections (like a bowling ball going down alley with bumpers on sides). In other words, you have to over-correct to because Jeep does not start to turn until past dead spot.

I posted complaint on NHTSA website. At this point, we need to get Jeep to study this issue and improve the steering box or bushings and issue as a recall immediately. If safety is #1 and paramount...then prove to us you care.
sadly there will have to be some kind of compelling event for this to happen and then there are those that will continue to tell us we’re stupid but I already know that and my mom is fat while my wife is ugly, too.

Jeep will continue to sell Jeeps well because it’s a Jeep, same reason I bought one.
 

RagTopDeluxe

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first time post:

Brand new 2019 Jeep JL Wrangler Rubicon. Has less than 700 miles; problem was noticeable immediately upon delivery of vehicle. Issue: steering has a "dead spot" when wheels are straight center. This dead spot is about 2 inches of play, and most noticeable when driving over 50 mph. I have rough Jeep in SEVERAL times. V41 recall (steering damper) already completed, along with all steering components to include: steering box (AE); track bar; front bar; drag link; tie rod; socket drive (connects to pitman arm). Tire pressures checked and realigned. NO CHANGE. Not sure where else to go now. Driving at freeway speeds is not safe! I constantly have to correct steering on straight sections (like a bowling ball going down alley with bumpers on sides). In other words, you have to over-correct to because Jeep does not start to turn until past dead spot.

I posted complaint on NHTSA website. At this point, we need to get Jeep to study this issue and improve the steering box or bushings and issue as a recall immediately. If safety is #1 and paramount...then prove to us you care.
Welcome and sorry that you have the same troubles.

I’m beginning to wonder if these Jeeps with steering problems are fixable. Yours is a good example: latest box and new components and nothing. That doesn’t give me a lot of hope.
 

VWE

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I’m beginning to wonder if these Jeeps with steering problems are fixable. Yours is a good example: latest box and new components and nothing. That doesn’t give me a lot of hope.
This is why I’m not in a big hurry to get the process started. After a few instances of the AE box being the solution, a larger sample has proved that not to be the case. A full redesign and recall is the only solution.

The steering issue is a real danger. I want to start buying parts for my Jeep, but I’m not putting a dime into until the steering is resolved. I want a solution but the clock is ticking until I cut bait.

Something I noticed yesterday playing around the mountains. Going uphill or accelerating, the steering issue isn’t as bad. Going downhill and lifting off the throttle in a turn causes all kinds of skating. I’ve never driven a racecar, but my understanding is you brake before the turn and power through the turn to avoid oversteer. I found that’s the way to survive going down I70 in a JL but it’s shouldnt be this way.
 

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I also have the issue even after the V41 recall. I have noticed the last couple of times going through the drive through that when my steering wheel is turned and i come to a stop that the steering wheel will start to turn some on its own. Enough that while I'm holding the wheel fairly tight it is pulling against my hand. When i let go of the wheel it turns approximately 2 inches. It reminds me of a hydraulic feel. Sorry just the best way to describe it. Anyone else notice this?
first time post:

Brand new 2019 Jeep JL Wrangler Rubicon. Has less than 700 miles; problem was noticeable immediately upon delivery of vehicle. Issue: steering has a "dead spot" when wheels are straight center. This dead spot is about 2 inches of play, and most noticeable when driving over 50 mph. I have rough Jeep in SEVERAL times. V41 recall (steering damper) already completed, along with all steering components to include: steering box (AE); track bar; front bar; drag link; tie rod; socket drive (connects to pitman arm). Tire pressures checked and realigned. NO CHANGE. Not sure where else to go now. Driving at freeway speeds is not safe! I constantly have to correct steering on straight sections (like a bowling ball going down alley with bumpers on sides). In other words, you have to over-correct to because Jeep does not start to turn until past dead spot.

I posted complaint on NHTSA website. At this point, we need to get Jeep to study this issue and improve the steering box or bushings and issue as a recall immediately. If safety is #1 and paramount...then prove to us you care.
Hello UDUBJL and spudf16,
We certainly understand your frustrations and are sorry to hear about your steering concern. If you are at all interested to be connected with a Case Specialist, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are available via private message!
Laura
Jeep Cares
 

powelld353

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So I'm sort of at a crossroads here. I've had my 2019 in 3 times for the steering issues and so far not fixed. Dealer installed AE steering box and new damper and I already had the newest factory track bar. Still not steering right with the dead spot and wandering still going on (a little better but not fixed). Any ideas what to do next? Do I adjust the steering box? Try the dealership again? Wait for Jeep to finally come up with a true fix? Contact JeepCares (doesn't seem like they do). I think I'm out of factory fixes at this point. Does anyone have anything they've done beyond what I've had done that may fix this? Grasping at straws.
 

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spudf16

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So I'm sort of at a crossroads here. I've had my 2019 in 3 times for the steering issues and so far not fixed. Dealer installed AE steering box and new damper and I already had the newest factory track bar. Still not steering right with the dead spot and wandering still going on (a little better but not fixed). Any ideas what to do next? Do I adjust the steering box? Try the dealership again? Wait for Jeep to finally come up with a true fix? Contact JeepCares (doesn't seem like they do). I think I'm out of factory fixes at this point. Does anyone have anything they've done beyond what I've had done that may fix this? Grasping at straws.
Don - I am going to try to PM the JeepCares specialist...but I suggest going to the NHTSA website and logging a complaint. This way, we get a 3rd party to be aware and try to push a solution. I love the Jeep Wrangler and would hate this to be a continuing issue. A little time and engineering should take care of this! Here is the website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/JEEP/WRANGLER/SUV/4WD%2520Later%2520Release#investigations
 

spudf16

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Hello UDUBJL and spudf16,
We certainly understand your frustrations and are sorry to hear about your steering concern. If you are at all interested to be connected with a Case Specialist, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are available via private message!
Laura
Jeep Cares
Laura - I will PM you...thanks for the reply
 

powelld353

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Don - I am going to try to PM the JeepCares specialist...but I suggest going to the NHTSA website and logging a complaint. This way, we get a 3rd party to be aware and try to push a solution. I love the Jeep Wrangler and would hate this to be a continuing issue. A little time and engineering should take care of this! Here is the website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/JEEP/WRANGLER/SUV/4WD%2520Later%2520Release#investigations
Already filed my complaint last week. I agree, love my Jeep and hope that Jeep wakes up and puts a little effort into a permanent solution. Thanks!!
 

RagTopDeluxe

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So I'm sort of at a crossroads here. I've had my 2019 in 3 times for the steering issues and so far not fixed. Dealer installed AE steering box and new damper and I already had the newest factory track bar. Still not steering right with the dead spot and wandering still going on (a little better but not fixed). Any ideas what to do next? Do I adjust the steering box? Try the dealership again? Wait for Jeep to finally come up with a true fix? Contact JeepCares (doesn't seem like they do). I think I'm out of factory fixes at this point. Does anyone have anything they've done beyond what I've had done that may fix this? Grasping at straws.
JeepCares has been helpful so far for me. However, I’m at the same crossroads. What to do?
 

powelld353

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JeepCares has been helpful so far for me. However, I’m at the same crossroads. What to do?
They were OK for me too but the communication was awful, both from JeepCares and the dealership.
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