Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[RagTopDeluxe]

FCA's back is pinned up against the wall right now. This loose steering issue will HAUNT them.

It is truly a mess. FCA’s handling of the steering issues is shameful. When the FCA rep told me that the dealer said it “drives as designed” I had it. It was a lie—pure bovine excrement.

As I said above, I’m fixing it myself and am saving all receipts and correspondence. I’m making one compiled PDF of the saga, for future reference.

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[Woodbridge]

I recommend taking it to the dealer to get the alignment checked (the toe was waaaaay off on mine off the lot) and to get it on record that you have steering issues.

Another important bit of information to get from an alignment is your caster angle. Mine was 4.3* off the lot and it should be closer to 6*. But seeing you have a Sport, your caster should be closer to spec.

But be aware that FCA does not have a resolution now. I’ve had mine in four times and was turned away from my fifth appointment because they had no idea of what to do.

I would also recommend that you have all the components checked for torque (and not a “visual inspection” that dealers like to do). The sway links on mine were too lose and tightening those to spec made a big difference in the looseness.

Good luck and I’m sorry you had to join this club.

Hi Rag Top Deluxe,

You are precisely correct. FCA and the dealers have absolutely no idea how to fix the loose steering, they are continuing to turn customers that have vehicles that are UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY away with dangerous steering problems. I strongly suggest that those who can afford an attorney hire one, maybe they'll take it on contingency....

Also see my post at the following link and file an NHTSA case, takes 3-4 minutes, very easy:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...fting-file-nhtsa-case-here.41674/#post-919900

 

[Chipe]

It’s beautiful and I love looking at it and admiring it but I do avoid driving it. I was really excited to take it off road with my friends but there’s no way I could when I can barely control it on freeways.

From what I've read and experienced, the wobble, not the wander, is caused by something loose. Take it back to the dealer, INSIST that someone ride with you. Get @JeepCares involved. Take a video. Be your own best advocate. It could be defective ball joints, loose tie rod ends, steering stabilizer, and version AC or AD steering box, control arms loose, drag link ends loose. But you need to have them find it for you. If not, you bring it back the required amount of times to meet the lemon law in your state and start the process.

 

[Chipe]

Hi Rag Top Deluxe,

You are precisely correct. FCA and the dealers have absolutely no idea how to fix the loose steering, they are continuing to turn customers that have vehicles that are UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY away with dangerous steering problems. I strongly suggest that those who can afford an attorney hire one, maybe they'll take it on contingency....

Also see my post at the following link and file an NHTSA case, takes 3-4 minutes, very easy:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...fting-file-nhtsa-case-here.41674/#post-919900

Just a word of caution here: once you go the attorney route, you lose all ability to communicate with FCA or their representatives directly.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

Hi Rag Top Deluxe,

You are precisely correct. FCA and the dealers have absolutely no idea how to fix the loose steering, they are continuing to turn customers that have vehicles that are UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY away with dangerous steering problems. I strongly suggest that those who can afford an attorney hire one, maybe they'll take it on contingency....

Also see my post at the following link and file an NHTSA case, takes 3-4 minutes, very easy:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...fting-file-nhtsa-case-here.41674/#post-919900

I did that already.

My local dealer was in contact with Jeep engineers in trying to fix my steering. They ran out of ideas.

I have a voicemail from another local dealer’s service manager who had the regional tech look at two JLs steering in his shop. He said that FCA doesn’t have a resolution and if I took my Jeep there he’d have to start all over again.

sigh...

FCA has really dropped the ball here.

 

[Woodbridge]

I can almost guarantee that the wobble, not the wander, is caused by something loose. Take it back to the dealer, INSIST that someone ride with you. Get @JeepCares involved. Take a video. Be your own best advocate. It could be defective ball joints, loose tie rod ends, steering stabilizer, and version AC or AD steering box, control arms loose, drag link ends loose. But you need to have them find it for you. If not, you bring it back the required amount of times to meet the lemon law in your state and start the process.

Hi Chipe,

Heres the problem Jeep consumers are facing and the law that FCA is breaking......Everyone with loose steering is getting turned away recently at Jeep dealers nationwide and told it "drives as designed", Jeep Wrangler JL customers are literally being turned away with dangerous vehicles....One other thing to note, Jeep Cares hasn't been chiming in lately regarding the issues here with loose steering like they were initially.

It is ILLEGAL to not service and repair a factory warranted vehicle.

 

[Woodbridge]

Just a word of caution here: once you go the attorney route, you lose all ability to communicate with FCA or their representatives directly.

Hi again Chipe,
I have no intentions whatsoever to personally communicate further with any representative, employee, vendor, or associate of FCA. Thats exactly what legal counsel is for.

 

[Chipe]

Hi again Chipe,
I have no intentions whatsoever to personally communicate further with any representative, employee, vendor, or associate of FCA. Thats exactly what legal counsel is for.

I totally understand. Being a new Jeep owner, first timer, I am still learning as I go. The one thing I did learn is that wander is not wobble, and wobble is not wander. I guess that's what I was trying to say. Both are very serious, life-threatening problems. But wobble is, in my opinion, much easier to address than wander.

I have been extremely blessed with my new 2018 Sahara (now have 2000 miles on her) to never have experienced any wander. Only wobble which I, yes I, not the dealer, fixed.

I hope that your wander gets addressed, and if not, then I hope it is settled to your total satisfaction. Keep us posted please.

 

[df007]

@JeepCares

It is clear and factual that many dealers are letting us know that the vehicles are driving and operating as designed / intended. It is assumed that this statement comes after some diligence in checking the torques, alignment, parts spec, parts conditions for any obvious fixes and all recall work has been applied.

Can we that have been told this please have some clarity on the parameters for "operating as designed"?

1. What are the limits for steering play that are intended as part of the design of the vehicle? Degrees or inches of wheel play along the arc are acceptable. This would help clear up the confusion when a customer's car is compared to a new vehicle as we all seem to have varied experiences with the steering play in new vehicles.

2. Are dealers quantifying this by taking a measurement so that FCA can agree that the vehicle is within the design parameters? This would make sense so that FCA agrees to close a star case even if a customer is still not happy.

I know that JeepCares is not mechanical/engineering department, but a simple call to a different division of the company should be all it takes to answer these questions.

Thank you! This will greatly help me understand if my Jeep is operating normally.

 

[thadius65]

I was (am!) in the exact spot you are. I love my Jeep and it’s fantastic other than the steering. We (hubby said to just buy it!) decided to get the PSC kit and it’s arriving today. I have an appointment at the local Jeep specialist for Monday to put it in. I can’t wait.

It is a risk to go outside FCA to fix this because I’m on my own for any steering-related issues. Oh well.

I would have pursued the lemon law if there was a newly-designed steering box on the 2020s and there were positive reports from owners. But quite the opposite is true—the new Jeeps still have issues.

So, we decided to spend the money and get the PSC.

FCA has been incredibly disappointing in this issue /epicUnderstatement

So what appears to be best price for the SK500 Overlander package? Anyone with info? Post or PM me. Thanks!

 

[Woodbridge]

@JeepCares

It is clear and factual that many dealers are letting us know that the vehicles are driving and operating as designed / intended. It is assumed that this statement comes after some diligence in checking the torques, alignment, parts spec, parts conditions for any obvious fixes and all recall work has been applied.

Can we that have been told this please have some clarity on the parameters for "operating as designed"?

1. What are the limits for steering play that are intended as part of the design of the vehicle? Degrees or inches of wheel play along the arc are acceptable. This would help clear up the confusion when a customer's car is compared to a new vehicle as we all seem to have varied experiences with the steering play in new vehicles.

2. Are dealers quantifying this by taking a measurement so that FCA can agree that the vehicle is within the design parameters? This would make sense so that FCA agrees to close a star case even if a customer is still not happy.

I know that JeepCares is not mechanical/engineering department, but a simple call to a different division of the company should be all it takes to answer these questions.

Thank you! This will greatly help me understand if my Jeep is operating normally.

Hi DF007,

Jeep Cares, FCA, Jeep would never publicly release what you're asking for and what I'd love to know as well. Only a court order and trial will get this done. Believe me when I say FCA is feeling the pressure now, I'm actually loving this.....I can assure you this is all sitting on Mr. Manleys desk today.

 

[JeepCares]

It’s beautiful and I love looking at it and admiring it but I do avoid driving it. I was really excited to take it off road with my friends but there’s no way I could when I can barely control it on freeways.

Hi Tyler,
If you decide to have your dealer look into this, please send us a PM. We would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to work with you and your dealer throughout your service visit.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[df007]

Hi Tyler,
If you decide to have your dealer look into this, please send us a PM. We would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to work with you and your dealer throughout your service visit.
Alex
JeepCares

Since you are here now Alex, can you please answer my question?

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-340#post-920516

 

[CherryWrangler]

lol, I don't know if I should laugh or cry at this phone call.

I had an appointment with my local dealer to get another look at the steering issues. I have been there 2 times already, today someone from the service called and rudely told me not to bring my car in for tomorrow's appointment, we are done, no more work can be done and everything was on point.

I am really pissed of right now, I know the steering is not right, FCA please get your shit together. I paid 51K for this truck and has to be perfect.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

lol, I don't know if I should laugh or cry at this phone call.

I had an appointment with my local dealer to get another look at the steering issues. I have been there 2 times already, today someone from the service called and rudely told me not to bring my car in for tomorrow's appointment, we are done, no more work can be done and everything was on point.

I am really pissed of right now, I know the steering is not right, FCA please get your shit together. I paid 51K for this truck and has to be perfect.

Same thing happened to me. I went in for my fifth steering appointment and they didn’t take my Jeep because FCA said they have no idea on what to do.

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