2020 JLUR steering issue

[Rdmitch]

Hi Brandon, that was me, I’m sure. I’ve had my Jeep in there four times since I bought it in April. I’m sure they were as frustrated as me regarding the steering issues. They always listened to me and tried, which is more than others on the forum can say.

The parts I swapped out helped for sure (from un-drivable to barely acceptable to drive to work) but it’s still not good. We had a JKUR and are comparing the JL’s driving to that.

We canceled our trip to Colorado because we didn’t feel confident driving it. We even turned around on our way to Tahoe because driving it on 50 was scary (especially past Kyburz).

Just this morning I asked my Jeep Cares rep to forward my case to the buy-back department. That’s incredibly disappointing, but I can’t keep this Jeep as it is and there doesn’t seem to be any answers.

I love this thing.

PS: I didn’t hear that the FCA rep declined to come out. That’s news to me. I was waiting to hear from my Jeep Cares rep.

PPS: The service manager said he spoke with the regional tech who said he was going to talk to the FCA rep. So around and around we go. It’s been a month since my last visit in which the replacement AD box was installed (did nothing) and no one has any idea of what to do. I’m so done.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for the connection to the buy back department, it doesn’t exist as far as I know. Hey JeepCares if you know of such a department let us know so we can get in line. . At least I got AE box with the V41 update. funny how it only made it worse.

On a more serious note, a big thanks to the jeepcares group. We know your doing all you can do working as a mediator and trying to keep the communication open between owners, dealers and FCA. We get it that you can’t always answer your phone and have lots of cases and no real authority to commit to anything. We know as individuals you’re probably as frustrated as we are. Just try to understand we as owners are playing by the rules and going to the dealer time after time hoping for a solution only to have the same old line told to us. No matter how high up the food chain you put us it’s always the same final answer,”no we can’t do anymore” case shut, game over, lights out, etc. I’ve gone to the top of the heap and thanks to my JeepCares rep had the regional person come out and look at it. Door still slammed in my face. I might have better understood this if Jeff had actually driven it more than 4 minutes before making a decision.

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[NPE102414]

I guess I got lucky with mine. It has about 1/2" of play or "dead spot" before the steering is affected. As for wandering, none. It does drift slightly if hit a dip or expansion joint at higher speeds but so did most of my other Jeeps. At speeds up to 90 it is easy to control with one hand and maybe even feels like it tracks better the faster it is driven. I do feel bad for everyone that has the huge dead zones, wobbles, etc. It is inexcusable in a modern vehicle. My 4Runner with 155k miles had zero play in the steering with reaction to any steering wheel input. Very easy to control. My JKUR is close but the SFA combined with the old-fashioned steering box design explains the minor lack of precision.

Doesn’t the 4Runner have Rack and Pinion with a McPherson strut type of suspension? Can’t really compare it to a multi link suspension that depends on several linkages to work perfectly and in harmony for good steering. This type of suspension will never have the level of precision as a rack and Pinion will.

 

[00Sebby]

Doesn’t the 4Runner have Rack and Pinion with a McPherson strut type of suspension? Can’t really compare it to a multi link suspension that depends on several linkages to work perfectly and in harmony for good steering. This type of suspension will never have the level of precision as a rack and Pinion will.

Yep. That was kind of my point when comparing to my 4Runner that I have been driving for the past several years. But I have also had plenty of Jeeps and knew what to normally expect.

 

[NPE102414]

Yep. That was kind of my point when comparing to my 4Runner that I have been driving for the past several years. But I have also had plenty of Jeeps and knew what to normally expect.

Same here, 7th wrangler but comparing a Wrangler to a 4Runner Is literally like comparing apples to oranges. The only similarities suspension/steering wise is they both have a steering wheel.

 

[Upnarms]

It's a shame they didn't have the 8spd auto in the jk. I LOVE the 8spd but hate the steering system that comes with the jl. I would've kept my jk for sure.

I was so close to going the lemon route when mine was one of the lucky ones to be "resolved". Though if a good aftermarket power steering unit comes along, ill get one. I did see something for a PSC power steering kit that adds a pulley and seems more traditional but I think it's used when people throw on 40s. Not sure if that is something that dumps this computerized electronic assist garbage system or not. This current steering unit sounds like robocop or any 80s movie robot when you turn the wheel.

Maybe with enough lemon law suits, nhtsa complaints, and bad press chrysler will eventually "do the right thing" but that's being crazy optimistic.

Anyone that knows of a kit to trash this steering unit and get an "old fashioned" one, let me know.

Until then, ill just pray mine doesn't have a relapse. Fortunately my jlur was bone stock with 100 miles when I took it in so they couldn't blame me.

 

[Durango]

Forget about the side wall flex and concern yourself more with the contact patch your tires are making with the road. Off road tires on the street drive a lot different then normal street tires. Look up the chalk test and determine for yourself what the correct psi is for your particular Jeep. This is especially important for lifted Jeeps with 35/37” E/D rated tires.

Per a tire mfr, "When attempting to determine an air pressure number by using the “chalk” method you may find that the tread foot print is nice and flat at a very low pressure. When this is the case the air pressure you come up with may very well be too low for highway service. Even though the “chalk” test gave you a full tread contact patch, at a low pressure the tire may not be stable at highway speeds. The large volume of air can support the load, but the low pressure causes the tire to become unstable. If air pressure is too low for highway service the tire will run hot from over flexing and will cause fast tread wear due to the “squirming”."
Need to keep this in mind if you use the chalk method...

 

[NPE102414]

Per a tire mfr, "When attempting to determine an air pressure number by using the “chalk” method you may find that the tread foot print is nice and flat at a very low pressure. When this is the case the air pressure you come up with may very well be too low for highway service. Even though the “chalk” test gave you a full tread contact patch, at a low pressure the tire may not be stable at highway speeds. The large volume of air can support the load, but the low pressure causes the tire to become unstable. If air pressure is too low for highway service the tire will run hot from over flexing and will cause fast tread wear due to the “squirming”."
Need to keep this in mind if you use the chalk method...

It’s not an exact science but almost all of us that are lifted on 35/37’s use this method. It’s as close to a science as we are going to get, it works. It’s a trial and error method that can take a while to get right, but if you stay committed to it you will find that sweet spot, I did.

 

[NPE102414]

It's a shame they didn't have the 8spd auto in the jk. I LOVE the 8spd but hate the steering system that comes with the jl. I would've kept my jk for sure.

I was so close to going the lemon route when mine was one of the lucky ones to be "resolved". Though if a good aftermarket power steering unit comes along, ill get one. I did see something for a PSC power steering kit that adds a pulley and seems more traditional but I think it's used when people throw on 40s. Not sure if that is something that dumps this computerized electronic assist garbage system or not. This current steering unit sounds like robocop or any 80s movie robot when you turn the wheel.

Maybe with enough lemon law suits, nhtsa complaints, and bad press chrysler will eventually "do the right thing" but that's being crazy optimistic.

Anyone that knows of a kit to trash this steering unit and get an "old fashioned" one, let me know.

Until then, ill just pray mine doesn't have a relapse. Fortunately my jlur was bone stock with 100 miles when I took it in so they couldn't blame me.

What was your issue and what was the resolution? What year is your JLUR?

 

[Brandon3333]

Ok all - tell me if I am losing my mind or not....but tonight for the first time I looked at my 2020 JLU Rubicon from the back (walking back into the garage from getting the mail) and I noticed that it looked like my Jeep was titling ever so slightly to the right. I drove it out of garage and straight as an arrow back in...walked behind it...still looks like it is off angle to the right. Does that sound odd to anyone or has anyone else seen something like this?
I am now wondering if my specific pulling to the right problem has something to do with the Jeep being off center - I am thinking if that is the case...even a few degrees, it could exacerbate the pulling problem?
Anyone have any thoughts/ideas as to why it might be slightly tilting to the right? Shocks, springs, camber, axle?

 

[NPE102414]

Ok all - tell me if I am losing my mind or not....but tonight for the first time I looked at my 2020 JLU Rubicon from the back (walking back into the garage from getting the mail) and I noticed that it looked like my Jeep was titling ever so slightly to the right. I drove it out of garage and straight as an arrow back in...walked behind it...still looks like it is off angle to the right. Does that sound odd to anyone or has anyone else seen something like this?
I am now wondering if my specific pulling to the right problem has something to do with the Jeep being off center - I am thinking if that is the case...even a few degrees, it could exacerbate the pulling problem?
Anyone have any thoughts/ideas as to why it might be slightly tilting to the right? Shocks, springs, camber, axle?

The fuel tank is located on the right side just under the rear seat so it makes perfect sense that it would look a little heavier on that side, not the issue though. Also, four springs will never be the same, they will all settle and sag differently with very minor and subtle height differences.

 

[NPE102414]

The fuel tank is located on the right side just under the rear seat so it makes perfect sense that it would look a little heavier on that side, not the issue though. Also, four springs will never be the same, they will all settle and sag differently with very minor and subtle height differences.

Have you had the alignment checked? Tires inflated and balanced properly? Suspension components torque checked? I really feel awe full that so many are having these issues, start there. I don’t even remember how mine drove stock, 100 miles in I ripped it apart and lifted it with new wheels and 35’s. It was all over the road and I hated my Jeep really bad. I ended up swapping lifts to the Mopar lift, added adjustable track bars and a new Falcon 2.1 steering stabilizer and all was well in the world again. I pull yo the right is not the end of the world although it may seem that way at the moment. Take a deep breath and seek out a Jeep specialist in your area, they usually can and will figure it out.

 

[Keycub]

Do this at your own risk, but pull your power steering fuse and see if it still pulls or wanders .

That is what the dealer eventually did to trouble shoot mine per STAR instructions and there was no more pull, etc. When they replaced the fuse the issue went away, almostt like the system reset. Though I don't know if that would fix anything, im betting the electronic hydraulic assist powersteering unit is the culprit. That was one of the new changes to the jl. I'm sure it could be other things too, just saying in my case that was the guilty party for the pull to the right

Do you know what fuse number???

 

[00Sebby]

Same here, 7th wrangler but comparing a Wrangler to a 4Runner Is literally like comparing apples to oranges. The only similarities suspension/steering wise is they both have a steering wheel.

As you remember I was only comparing some of the road manners and attributing it to the suspension differences. As for "apples to oranges", I think it is more like apples to pears.

They are both lumbering, top-heavy, off-road capable machines. My 4Runner Trail will hang with the JLUR until you get to really technical stuff. They both have similar ground clearance (4Runner has Bilstein 5100s and leveled front end), V6 with the Toyota winning the torque battle, 4WD (Toyota's is very smart and very capable, better in snow, etc., Rubicon's more capable in the very rough due to ratios, etc.), both have front and rear lockers, AT (5sp vs 8sp), BFG KO2s, etc. The JKUR has a 9" longer wheel base, but the track widths are both right at 63". 4Runner trail curb weight is about 4600 lbs, the Rubicon is 4439 and I am not sure if that is measured with hardtop or soft top. Mine has hard top. The 4Runner is what people buy when they are afraid to buy a Jeep.

When I bought the 4Runner I immediately thought it did not handle as well as my '12 JKUR in the curves and such. The JKUR felt more responsive and the 4Runner felt very lumbering and top-heavy in the curves. On the highway, other than some noise and comfort, I never really thought much about the difference in handling because they were very similar at speed. However, with my '20 JLUR and some injected focus because of other's experiences on this forum, I am paying very close attention and do notice some difference between my two vehicles (I'm going to drive the 4Runner this morning and I will again be mentally comparing from the JLUR yesterday). Overall, my observation to date is that they are more similar than different and that slight difference in road manners is due to the suspension design as I said at the very beginning.

 

[00Sebby]

Also, Toyota key fob wins and it is not great. And I have driven several Macpherson strut, rack & pinion vehicles that handle worse than either of the vehicles I am comparing. Fox body Mustangs for example. I think I am making a positive comparison for the JKUR handling. It is more primitive in design but not that different in handling and road manners. At least mine isn't. Again, I feel bad for those not as lucky.

 

[azhdar]

So finally I took my JlUr to the dealer with the pulling right and left problem (also loose passenger side freedom top).

They said for some reason all new jls has loose passenger side freedom top (do you guys have realized it? like the clippers are not tight like driver side)

they test drove it and decided to pull right and left happens because of the road crown.

they checked all track bars and stuff and said 2020 got all new updated stuff which as we know ending is AE.

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