Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[Reno Wrangler]

Loose steering fix in the works?
I was at the dealer yesterday and the service rep said they are working on a fix for the loose steering. Said it would be available by my next service appointment. He didn't say whether it was a parts replacement or software update. Has anyone else heard about a fix in the works?

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[RagTopDeluxe]

Loose steering fix in the works?
I was at the dealer yesterday and the service rep said they are working on a fix for the loose steering. Said it would be available by my next service appointment. He didn't say whether it was a parts replacement or software update. Has anyone else heard about a fix in the works?

I’ve heard that since last summer from my dealer and nothing has happened. How long until your next service appointment?

 

[Reno Wrangler]

I’ve heard that since last summer from my dealer and nothing has happened. How long until your next service appointment?

Next service appointment is several months down the road. The service rep implied that the fix was in road testing now.

 

[Rdmitch]

Loose steering may be a entirely different problem than wobbles or wandering.

loose may be a adjustment to the gearbox or another dampener. Just watch that the next service appointment is within your warranty period.

 

[Shawn19]

You’d think 2 years in they would have a better idea.

We will have it figured out at the next service! That’s 7,000 (+or-)miles away.

I went into this thinking the same thing, new model they will get it worked out soon...That excuse doesn’t really fly at this point.

After many fixes mine is better, but still has some issues.

Good luck! Hopefully they actually do have a fix in the works.

 

[Tire Guy]

In my ongoing quest to find the fix for my steering wander and play in the steering, I try to only do things that will make an impact not just throwing parts at it. So the latest is the track bar bracket and sector shaft brace by Synergy. I watched the install videos but was not sure if it was going to help. In the beginning of the [Banned Site] video they show a quick video of the movement of the gear box when turning the steering wheel. So today I checked and damn there is a lot of movement in something that should not move at all. So I will purchase and do the install. I'll let you know the results post install.

 

[Rdmitch]

In my ongoing quest to find the fix for my steering wander and play in the steering, I try to only do things that will make an impact not just throwing parts at it. So the latest is the track bar bracket and sector shaft brace by Synergy. I watched the install videos but was not sure if it was going to help. In the beginning of the [Banned Site] video they show a quick video of the movement of the gear box when turning the steering wheel. So today I checked and damn there is a lot of movement in something that should not move at all. So I will purchase and do the install. I'll let you know the results post install.

thank you for posting your info both past and future. It helps to see what helps others in similar
situations. It also helps to know if your vehicle is stock or modified. Certain fixes seem to only help on lifted jeeps.
I was at a jeep dealer today, and a sale person mentioned there is another possible fix coming out but they did not know if it was for. Wander,wobble, loose or other issues.

 

[Brandon3333]

UPDATE: Not good :-(
So, the new 2020 was delivered to my dealer today. I bolted down there with much excitement...we got in..bee lined to freeway....and it started to pull. I made sure the tire pressure was set to 34 all around as it is on my current one so I could do a like for like test.
What I saw was when I took my hands off the steering wheel, you can watch the wheel turn slightly clockwise to the right as the Jeep starts to slowly creep into the right hand lane...didn't matter from what lane... it is the EXACT same problem I have with my current one. You can feel the wheel resisting staying straight at all times.
To test my theory and prove it's NOT a "Jeep thing"...I had them take out three other Jeeps with me on a test drive..the first up was a Sport S...took my hands off steering wheel...tracked straight as an arrow. Took another Jeep out...this time a Gladiator...straight as an arrow. Took out a 3rd Jeep..this time a Sahara...straight as an arrow.
Morale of the story - The Jeep Rubicon Unlimited's have an inherent problem with steer tracking. PERIOD!!
So, the dealer offered to order another new build in hopes I become one of the luck other 50%-70% that don't have this problem, or buyback the one I have...or live with it and get a free lift kit (and possibly new wheel package, too!) on my current one.
They are trying so hard and I appreciate it so much, but alas I think I am going to get my money back and buy either a new Tacoma TRD Pro, or by a luxury car and get an older 2014/2015 Jeep and not care about "luxuries" in a Jeep.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

UPDATE: Not good :-(
So, the new 2020 was delivered to my dealer today. I bolted down there with much excitement...we got in..bee lined to freeway....and it started to pull. I made sure the tire pressure was set to 34 all around as it is on my current one so I could do a like for like test.
What I saw was when I took my hands off the steering wheel, you can watch the wheel turn slightly clockwise to the right as the Jeep starts to slowly creep into the right hand lane...didn't matter from what lane... it is the EXACT same problem I have with my current one. You can feel the wheel resisting staying straight at all times.
To test my theory and prove it's NOT a "Jeep thing"...I had them take out three other Jeeps with me on a test drive..the first up was a Sport S...took my hands off steering wheel...tracked straight as an arrow. Took another Jeep out...this time a Gladiator...straight as an arrow. Took out a 3rd Jeep..this time a Sahara...straight as an arrow.
Morale of the story - The Jeep Rubicon Unlimited's have an inherent problem with steer tracking. PERIOD!!
So, the dealer offered to order another new build in hopes I become one of the luck other 50%-70% that don't have this problem, or buyback the one I have...or live with it and get a free lift kit (and possibly new wheel package, too!) on my current one.
They are trying so hard and I appreciate it so much, but alas I think I am going to get my money back and buy either a new Tacoma TRD Pro, or by a luxury car and get an older 2014/2015 Jeep and not care about "luxuries" in a Jeep.

Nooooooooooo! Dammmmmmit! I’m so sorry and disappointed to hear that.

Hubby and I were up there this morning to test drive Rubicons and I was wondering when you were getting yours. I’m so bummed for you.

 

[Brandon3333]

Thanks RagTopDeluxe. It's funny...as I was waiting for the service guy to deflate my tires, I noticed another Rubicon owner taking stuff out of his Rubi and putting it into another...and his older Rubi still had the dealer paper plates...just like mine. I think he was the second owner they told me about months ago that was having the same problem. Must have ordered it same time I did...I didn't get a chance to speak to him though...he was gone when I got back.
Yea...totally bummed out for sure. I had high hopes that anything newly built might have been resolved. So, not sure what I am going to do. Going to be a long week.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

My wonderful hubby went with me to test drive Rubis. We wanted to drive both the 3.6 and 2.0T versions (I have the 3.6) of the 4-doors (I have a 2-door).

We started at Roseville and drove a 2.0 black Rubicon. The steering wheel wasn’t straight so it was harder to evaluate, but drove *so* much better then mine with the steering returned to center. I think with the steering wheel set correctly it would be a contender. They didn’t have a 3.6 for us to drive.

We went to another dealer and drove a 2.0 then 3.6. The 2.0 drove *perfectly*! It tracked straight with no pulling, returned to center, and just felt so good and I loved it.

The 3.6 pulled to the right and it was immediately obvious. I wouldn’t take that one for anything.

Things I learned: it didn’t take long to rule out one that pulled; that if my replacement JL drove like the 2.0, I’d be absolutely thrilled.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

Thanks RagTopDeluxe. It's funny...as I was waiting for the service guy to deflate my tires, I noticed another Rubicon owner taking stuff out of his Rubi and putting it into another...and his older Rubi still had the dealer paper plates...just like mine. I think he was the second owner they told me about months ago that was having the same problem. Must have ordered it same time I did...I didn't get a chance to speak to him though...he was gone when I got back.
Yea...totally bummed out for sure. I had high hopes that anything newly built might have been resolved. So, not sure what I am going to do. Going to be a long week.

What a shame! That just sucks.

After driving the perfectly driving 2.0 today, I even more hopeful to get a good one because it was so wonderful to drive.

 

[Thinman]

lol, I just picked up my JLUR from Auburn on Wednesday but I will not need their service department.

I actually drove it home to San Jose and then back to Rancho Cordova for a MC lift. First Jeep, so I'm still gauging the steering 'issues' and haven't driving a solid axle in years. It does ok and so far, my wife has not complained, but It definitely pulls slightly right and is not the biggest fan of returning to zero, so it will be something I will be watching closely.

 

[HoundDude]

...
We went to another dealer and drove a 2.0 then 3.6. The 2.0 drove *perfectly*! It tracked straight with no pulling, returned to center, and just felt so good and I loved it...

I'm curious if you noticed any play / dead spot in the steering of this one you liked?

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

I'm curious if you noticed any play / dead spot in the steering of this one you liked?

I didn’t notice any. I was focused on wandering, but overall it drove great.

For me, knew pretty quickly which I would eliminate. If I were buying today, I’d drove the others longer to be sure.

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