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Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

powelld353

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My '08 JK hardtop with 113,000 miles steers better than my '19 JL hardtop with 3,000 miles.
My 2000 TJ with 235k miles steers better than my 2019 JL (which has 4300 miles)
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brewtus98

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My 2000 TJ with 235k miles steers better than my 2019 JL (which has 4300 miles)
My '18 Sahara isn't TERRIBLE, but agree my '03 TJ with 147k does steer better. UUGH.
 

Scott D Hall

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My '18 Sahara isn't TERRIBLE, but agree my '03 TJ with 147k does steer better. UUGH.
Well, I will say this... I have a 2013 JK that feels tighter too, so FCA when you charge us what we all have paid for these new JL's, as owners we tend to hold you to even a higher standard, sorry FCA, but that is how it is... FCA you need to fix this, even though the recall really did help mine, still not how I would expect a $70k (with upgrades, 60k sticker) vehicle to steer. I am not expecting a sports car type steering, I am just expecting very little play.
 

Command Line RC

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Confusing enough this one does not include the updated redesign steering box this is only the power steering pump conversion kit thatā€™s why itā€™s so much cheaper
Confusing for sure. Thank you for the heads up.
 

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Chipe

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It's interesting, I just picked up a loaner today at the dealer after taking my JLUSa in for the seat squeak, and it is a 2018 2 door JLSp. It drives great! Just like my JLUSa. I've not ever driven one with the death wobble, and I hope I never do!!
 

Derek

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Created an account to share my experience so far. In august I had the steering stabilizer shock replaced, but the tech acknowledged that it didnā€™t fix the problem so he was ordered the track bar, that was replaced in September but still didnā€™t fix the issue, then they said ā€œthatā€™s just how they drive, itā€™s a Jeepā€ I replied ā€œmy 12 year old JK drove better then thisā€ dealer: ā€œthe steering components are completely different...ā€. I have a case open with FCA, they contacted the dealer, the dealer asked me to bring it back in, according to my dash cam it never left the parking spot and the dealer said ā€œnothings broken, everything looks newā€ and that theyā€™d see what Jeep has to say. Today the FCA customer service rep called back and said that ā€œthe dealer didnā€™t find anything wrongā€. So basically, the dealer only knows how to follow a service bulletin and says there isnā€™t any other ones and Jeep wants the dealer to diagnose the problem, which they donā€™t seem to know how to.

guess my only option now is to take it to an independent shop.
 

Rdmitch

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After taking my Jeep to 10 different dealers, having 5 alignments done and everyone telling me the wondering, play in the steering wheel, death wobble, and constantly having to correct the steering to keep it driving straight is normal and a characteristic of a owning a Jeep. Had all the tsb and recalls done just made the issue worse
I contacted FCA and the manager told me I should go to the dealer and trade it in for something I feel comfortable driving.
So being a licensed technician and in the industry for close to 30 years I decided to inspect it for myself
I asked my dealer to remove the track bar and check the mounting brackets and they told me fca doesnā€™t recommended doing that unless you replace that part, I even offered to pay.
Were they saying trade it in and itā€™s a even swap, or you pay the difference from trade in value to the new price of a car ?
 
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Rdmitch

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Created an account to share my experience so far. In august I had the steering stabilizer shock replaced, but the tech acknowledged that it didnā€™t fix the problem so he was ordered the track bar, that was replaced in September but still didnā€™t fix the issue, then they said ā€œthatā€™s just how they drive, itā€™s a Jeepā€ I replied ā€œmy 12 year old JK drove better then thisā€ dealer: ā€œthe steering components are completely different...ā€. I have a case open with FCA, they contacted the dealer, the dealer asked me to bring it back in, according to my dash cam it never left the parking spot and the dealer said ā€œnothings broken, everything looks newā€ and that theyā€™d see what Jeep has to say. Today the FCA customer service rep called back and said that ā€œthe dealer didnā€™t find anything wrongā€. So basically, the dealer only knows how to follow a service bulletin and says there isnā€™t any other ones and Jeep wants the dealer to diagnose the problem, which they donā€™t seem to know how to.

guess my only option now is to take it to an independent shop.

So where do you go from here ?
 

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Derek

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So where do you go from here ?
Seriously thinking about taking it to an independent shop and tell myself that the warranty is useless. Thereā€™s a engine/tire/alignment shop that did a lot of good work on my JK, I think Iā€™ll just ask them to take it apart and see if they can at least diagnose the problem, but thatā€™s $110/per hr for labor.
 

RagTopDeluxe

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Created an account to share my experience so far. In august I had the steering stabilizer shock replaced, but the tech acknowledged that it didnā€™t fix the problem so he was ordered the track bar, that was replaced in September but still didnā€™t fix the issue, then they said ā€œthatā€™s just how they drive, itā€™s a Jeepā€ I replied ā€œmy 12 year old JK drove better then thisā€ dealer: ā€œthe steering components are completely different...ā€. I have a case open with FCA, they contacted the dealer, the dealer asked me to bring it back in, according to my dash cam it never left the parking spot and the dealer said ā€œnothings broken, everything looks newā€ and that theyā€™d see what Jeep has to say. Today the FCA customer service rep called back and said that ā€œthe dealer didnā€™t find anything wrongā€. So basically, the dealer only knows how to follow a service bulletin and says there isnā€™t any other ones and Jeep wants the dealer to diagnose the problem, which they donā€™t seem to know how to.

guess my only option now is to take it to an independent shop.
I would be pissed if my Jeep sat in the lot and I was told everything was fine. Can you try another dealer?

The shop foreman who rode with me and then drove my JLR at first said that the JLs drove more loosely than the JKs. (We had a ā€˜12 JKUR that drove *much* better than my JLR.) They do, but shouldnā€™t!

Thankfully the FCA rep and the dealer have been helpful, but I feel theyeā€™re running out of ideas. Iā€˜m running out of patience.

Good luck in getting yours fixed. These steering issues are distressing.
 

NCPolock

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Seriously thinking about taking it to an independent shop and tell myself that the warranty is useless.
I'm just about there as well. I drop mine off again today (visit #4) after the last visit actually has mine driving worse than before. Previously had just a deadspot but with the new track bar they installed I have deadspot, wandering and cock-eyed steering wheel....to the point I missed the crappy way my Jeep use to drive. I think a specialist shop might have more knowledge vs the FCA mechanics that only know what they're told. Who knows, I think it's beneficial to at least get a 3rd parties thoughts.
 

Goin2drt

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I am to the point where I may just pull the trigger on the PSC steering components.
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/18-19-jeep-jl-big-bore-xd-overlander-steering-kit.html
I am tired of wasting so much time as these useless dealers. I also now have done my lift and 35" tires so that just adds that they are even more worthless because they claim there isn't a wandering issue. Well my wife had to drive the Wrangler the other day and she was completely scared and now won't drive it at all. I really love the wrangler and with all the work I have done I am past the point of no return and am stuck with this thing. I can get the kit installed for $3K. Yes completely agree this is absurd that on a new Jeep I should have to spend this to fix an issue FCA won't address. To me though that is better than being the person that is going to die from this issue and force a complete recall.

Here is my question to someone who really knows mechanics. The reviews, youtube, talking to PSC all claim this will fix the issue 100%. Based on the components that are being taken off and the new ones going on, is this true? Can these parts truly fix the issue? I am choosing the system that does not have the cylinder assist as I am done with the mods so 35" tires and no crazy rock crawling will happen so all have said I do not need the cylinder assist. This true as well?

Thanks.
 

dsgrey

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Just documenting my experience. I have a stock 2019 JLU without any lift and over 5k miles. It has some dead space and would wander a little at speeds over 45mph but nothing causing a major concern. I commute at 75mph and could steer with one hand on top though it didn't feel as tight as my cars/SUVs (front-wheel drive station wagon really) which I expected. Strong winds at highway speed would have me correcting course but nothing I considered dangerous.

I did the v41 damper recall by ordering the part online, installing correctly myself and having FCA reimburse me. At the same time I installed a JKS adjustable track bar which was on sale. Steering feels tighter and my dead space is minimal though not as minimal as my car/SUV. Driving at 75mph with crosswinds of 20-25mph I can steer with just my left wrist sitting on top the steering wheel. The v41 is regarding conditions under 40 degrees which I haven't seen yet so I assume the improvement was the track bar being beefier but also noticing the bolt diameter tolerance being better with the JKS.

At this point I have no complaints with the steering. That may change with more miles or assuming the steering box may develop issues based on other posts.
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