Steering/Wobble/Wandering/Buyback

[Bocephus]

I’ve owned 2 JLs and both had a wander issue... for about 500 miles. I didn’t adjust anything, not even tire pressure. But around the 500 mark, everything drives right. I drive about 100 miles a day.

Now, I can’t speak for every situation- but I also believe there is a factor of the driver. I see a lot of posts about “I finally bought my first Jeep and...”. They don’t drive like sports cars. My wife’s RAV4 drives different than her prior CRV. It’s all in getting used to it and knowing limits. Frankly, I enjoy the Jeep more than the Rav (just that pesky deal with gas mileage).

To the poster that is comparing the Raptor: a) you sold your Jeep and still go on jeep boards? Weird.

b) if anyone put 15k+ back into a Jeep- it will be greatly upgraded. Same rule for literally anything on the road. And I bet that there are boards where Raptor owners are saying “I spent 65k on this and I can’t believe this doesn’t work/drives this way/doesn’t have/etc”

The JLs aren’t perfect. But neither was any wrangler. Neither was any motorcycle... car... truck... but we buy what we want, modify, complain, enjoy.

yes / I think I introduced the 15k remark lightheartedly earlier in the thread. I’m below that mark, but probably not by too much and YES it has been significantly upgraded - complete lift, gears, etc.

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[Chemy350]

14,000 miles on my 2018 JLUR that I bought in March of 18 (very early build). I had the steering issues bad. The new recall helped dramatically and fixed the problem to my satisfaction. No wobble yet either. still on stock wheels with no lift.

 

[Dkretden]

14,000 miles on my 2018 JLUR that I bought in March of 18 (very early build). I had the steering issues bad. The new recall helped dramatically and fixed the problem to my satisfaction. No wobble yet either. still on stock wheels with no lift.

Good to hear.

you are in “Porsche Sales” and you drive a Jeep. Must piss your boss off quite a bit, no?

 

[Punkindave]

So tired of folks being critical of others problems.
I have owned 2 JLURs and can tell you the wandering is real and NOT a f'ing Jeep thing.

When I test drove my 2018 the first thing I noticed was how much steering input was required to keep it in the lane on a highway. I love sports cars and didn't expect it to handle like a 350z but it was tiring to drive it for long periods.

The 2018 was bought back for electrical issues and I traded up to a 2019 that tracked straight and true from day one and has been a pleasure for 17k+ miles.

The point is, stop telling others to suck it up and buy a Prius. Just because your Jeep doesn't have an issue, or you've gotten used to the wobble is irrelevant. If it was designed to wobble then my 2019 is failing! There are still bad ones out there, test drive thoroughly before delivery.

 

[Chemy350]

Good to hear.

you are in “Porsche Sales” and you drive a Jeep. Must piss your boss off quite a bit, no?

I have a 2018 Cayenne also for the wife, so I do drive what I sell

I've also been selling here at this store for 10 years. I've owned several of our cars over the years.. I just love 4 wheeling and getting out in the wilderness. So peaceful for me.

 

[Dkretden]

I have a 2018 Cayenne also for the wife, so I do drive what I sell

Attaboy!

 

[Gellie]

I’ve owned 2 JLs and both had a wander issue... for about 500 miles. I didn’t adjust anything, not even tire pressure. But around the 500 mark, everything drives right. I drive about 100 miles a day.

Now, I can’t speak for every situation- but I also believe there is a factor of the driver. I see a lot of posts about “I finally bought my first Jeep and...”. They don’t drive like sports cars. My wife’s RAV4 drives different than her prior CRV. It’s all in getting used to it and knowing limits. Frankly, I enjoy the Jeep more than the Rav (just that pesky deal with gas mileage).

To the poster that is comparing the Raptor: a) you sold your Jeep and still go on jeep boards? Weird.

b) if anyone put 15k+ back into a Jeep- it will be greatly upgraded. Same rule for literally anything on the road. And I bet that there are boards where Raptor owners are saying “I spent 65k on this and I can’t believe this doesn’t work/drives this way/doesn’t have/etc”

The JLs aren’t perfect. But neither was any wrangler. Neither was any motorcycle... car... truck... but we buy what we want, modify, complain, enjoy.

i had similar results in my 20 JLUR. When I picked up my Rubi the tire pressure was set to 42/44. Driving home from CT to NJ(~110 miles) I held on for dear life. Immediately drop PSI to 35. Better but still a lot of wandering. Now 1000K miles on her and she’s perfect. Don’t know if the Jeep improved or did I learn how to drive her? Maybe the tires needed to be broken in? BTW coming from 10 JKUL Sahara.

 

[KnG818]

i had similar results in my 20 JLUR. When I picked up my Rubi the tire pressure was set to 42/44. Driving home from CT to NJ(~110 miles) I held on for dear life. Immediately drop PSI to 35. Better but still a lot of wandering. Now 1000K miles on her and she’s perfect. Don’t know if the Jeep improved or did I learn how to drive her? Maybe the tires needed to be broken in? BTW coming from 10 JKUL Sahara.

You got used to driving it.

 

[Shawn19]

My 2018 JLU Sport S -all stock- started with loose steering, tsb helped, then to shuttering, then to full on death wobble, dampener replaced, shuttering continued, wobble returned, steering wheel lock up on turns in the cold. Dampener replaced again. Still some shuttering but now on cold mornings my steering is not responsive and hard to control.

I’ve been dealing with issues since early on and just keep pushing through with the “Jeep thing” comments. I’m at 22000 miles, The issues seem to keep growing. If I were offered a way out I’d take it. To answer the question there are lots of good ones out there, I have two friends with 18s, a sport, and a Rubi - no issues.

She’s in the shop again since last Monday. Will see what the figure out.

 

[KnG818]

My 2018 JLU Sport S -all stock- started with loose steering, tsb helped, then to shuttering, then to full on death wobble, dampener replaced, shuttering continued, wobble returned, steering wheel lock up on turns in the cold. Dampener replaced again. Still some shuttering but now on cold mornings my steering is not responsive and hard to control.

I’ve been dealing with issues since early on and just keep pushing through with the “Jeep thing” comments. I’m at 22000 miles, The issues seem to keep growing. If I were offered a way out I’d take it. To answer the question there are lots of good ones out there, I have two friends with 18s, a sport, and a Rubi - no issues.

She’s in the shop again since last Monday. Will see what the figure out.

22000 miles?!

If such issues, to the extent of which you say, exist then why havent you sold it??

How is it, if you replace nearly every component(and/or sub component) to the steering system your still having the same issue?

 

[WhatExit?]

I finally traded in my 2018 MOAB a couple months ago for a 2019 Ford Raptor. My conclusion is that the entire design of the steering and suspension geometry is flawed and the quality of parts being used by FCA on these vehicles is sub par to other manufacturers. Seriously, $55K - $60K MSRP on these vehicles and they rattle all over after 10K miles, the steering experience is horrible, wind intrusion from the A pillar, the seats are horrible etc. Yes the off road prowess is best in class but not worth $60K just for good offroad capability. They should be better and we all who buy them should expect much better vs. just saying oh its a jeep thing. If a jeep thing is defined as poor quality and flawed designs at a very high price, i'm not up for that any longer. I had the steering damper recall done on my Moab and it made very little difference on the steering performance.

Its not an apples to apples comparison in terms of the type of vehicle, but I have to say the quality in my Ford Raptor which comes stock with 35s is so far above a jeep I have been amazed. This thing in all conditions is planted to the road and practically drives itself and has amazingly tight,stabile and responsive steering experience. And when you look at the hardware used on this truck and the steering systems etc, its so far above what my jeep was its not funny. And the prices albeit more expensive is not worlds apart, I bought a well equipped Raptor 2019 left over brand new for $65K. And biggest bonus is I have a 450 HP power plant not a piddly 250 HP V6 that sounds like its going to blow up every time you push it.

Guys sorry to rag here, but am just being honest with myself and my experiences. I love the JLU in many ways, but it can be so much better and jeep owners should expect much more from the manufacturer at this price point.

just one question: how many Jeeps have you owned and which models/years?

 

[WhatExit?]

When I test drove my 2018 the first thing I noticed was how much steering input was required to keep it in the lane on a highway. I love sports cars and didn't expect it to handle like a 350z but it was tiring to drive it for long periods.

Sure there are problems. With every new vehicle. But your statement about keeping it in lane is exemplary of many of the “problems.” Wranglers and Gladiators have 2 solid axles. THEY DON’ DRIVE LIKE OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT AND/OR REAR SUSPENSIONS.

if you expect or compare these Jeeps to those vehicles you’ll never be happy.

 

[Punkindave]

Sure there are problems. With every new vehicle. But your statement about keeping it in lane is exemplary of many of the “problems.” Wranglers and Gladiators have 2 solid axles. THEY DON’ DRIVE LIKE OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT AND/OR REAR SUSPENSIONS.

if you expect or compare these Jeeps to those vehicles you’ll never be happy.

Read again... I'm comparing two nearly identical JLURs I've owned that were completely different. My current Wrangler is perfect and doesn't exhibit any poor road behavior. It's not inherent to solid axles to drive like a 60s panel van with 5" of play in the wheel.

 

[Shooting or Jeeping]

Maybe. But

You got used to driving it.

I went from a 2018 JL and traded for a 2020. The one I drove off the lot scared the crap out of me. I didn’t get “un-used” to driving a JL within an hour. But after a break in time, I drive it without even really gripping the wheel. Drives on rails.

 

[Shawn19]

22000 miles?!

If such issues, to the extent of which you say, exist then why havent you sold it??

How is it, if you replace nearly every component(and/or sub component) to the steering system your still having the same issue?

I looked into that. Since I leased it I would be taking a bigger loss than I can handle.

In other threads people have replaced more components, some with success, some without.

Working with FCA and Jeep Cares this time, hopefully they take care of the issue.

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