Major steering issue problem with JL Wrangler. Please watch

[FirstJeep_TJ]

@XTrooper and all,

Let me update here about my JL.
The dealer finally got the gear box and replaced the faulty one. This was last Thursday, after that I drove it for ~300miles under temperature as high as 93F. I could not reproduce the issue so far using the same methods that I used before.
And the dealer told me that they did not perform the TSB (steering locking over high speed driving).

So I, with caution and continue to test drive, think the original issue was fixed by replacing the gear box.

But I do experience another "behavior": during high speed driving (65-80mph), the steering is drifting. I have to use extra attention/correction to its direction. The tire pressure are balanced. I did not drive any other Jeep before, but I compare with my other German/Japanese cars, this extra effort is something to be addressed.

Here is what I think:
1. the gear box is in high demand in the field, it took 5 weeks to get it.
2. It seems people are starting to realize this is hardware related issue, at least for the owners like myself.
3. not sure if this part is used before or on any other models, if this is an yield issue in the component level I am sure they can sort it out, but if this is a design issue that will be hard to fix in a short period of time and they have to find ways to screen the parts.

I will keep updating here in the next steps.

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[XTrooper]

@XTrooper and all,

Let me update here about my JL.
The dealer finally got the gear box and replaced the faulty one. This was last Thursday, after that I drove it for ~300miles under temperature as high as 93F. I could not reproduce the issue so far using the same methods that I used before.
And the dealer told me that they did not perform the TSB (steering locking over high speed driving).

So I, with caution and continue to test drive, think the original issue was fixed by replacing the gear box.

But I do experience another "behavior": during high speed driving (65-80mph), the steering is drifting. I have to use extra attention/correction to its direction. The tire pressure are balanced. I did not drive any other Jeep before, but I compare with my other German/Japanese cars, this extra effort is something to be addressed.

Here is what I think:
1. the gear box is in high demand in the field, it took 5 weeks to get it.
2. It seems people are starting to realize this is hardware related issue, at least for the owners like myself.
3. not sure if this part is used before or on any other models, if this is an yield issue in the component level I am sure they can sort it out, but if this is a design issue that will be hard to fix in a short period of time and they have to find ways to screen the parts.

I will keep updating here in the next steps.

Hi. Glad to read that most of your steering issues have been resolved. I would ask the dealer to perform the TSB re-configuration. I can't hurt and, who knows, it may cure your highway speed issues.
I was told that the JL is completely new with no parts coming over from the JK model. The steering gearbox is definitely new because it is aluminum and the JK's is steel.

 

[FirstJeep_TJ]

Hi, Xtrooper,
Thanks, and I will definitely ask them to perform that TSB, especially now I have the details of this behavior! Seems that we all become a JL engineer at the end

 

[Natakuhough]

Hello everyone. I got my First Wrangler less than a week ago. The Wrangler Unlimited Sport JL. Yesterday I experienced this issue! Steering wheel froze up. I had to slow down to a stop and it came back. Happened a few more times on the ride home. I took a ride again after an hour and it did not happen.

Yesterday was a very hot day and I had been driving for about an hour with the AC on high. Very similar to the stories that I have read on this thread. I am taking it to the dealer today to look at it. Only 250 miles on it...

All the posts from everyone here have been helpful.

 

[Holymoly1963]

As recommended by Jeepsterfreak, I would insist the dealer perform the re-configuration referenced in TSB # 08-092-18. After all, it will only take 5-10 minutes of their time. My dealer initially ordered me a new steering gearbox but after the reflash, I had them cancel the order because the reflash completely eliminated my Jeep's steering issue and, believe me when I tell you, it was bad.

Has anyone with a 2 door had this TSB applied? If yes, was it helpful?

 

[XTrooper]

Has anyone with a 2 door had this TSB applied? If yes, was it helpful?

As I understand it, this wouldn't apply to 2-door models. The problem it addresses is that a number of 4-door (Unlimited) models left the factory with the 2-door calibration for the electronic power steering pump. The re-configuration applies the proper 4-door calibration.

 

[Holymoly1963]

As I understand it, this wouldn't apply to 2-door models. The problem it addresses is that a number of 4-door (Unlimited) models left the factory with the 2-door calibration for the electronic power steering pump. The re-configuration applies the proper 4-door calibration.

In other words, if I apply this TSB, I might end up with 4 door steering on my 2 door....hell, maybe that would fix it. Better plan than my dealer has right now

 

[XTrooper]

In other words, if I apply this TSB, I might end up with 4 door steering on my 2 door....hell, maybe that would fix it. Better plan than my dealer has right now

I don't know this with absolute certainty, but this is what I've read and heard, i.e., that a number of Unlimited Jeeps received the wrong (2-door) calibration for their electric power steering systems. The effect of this was that this calibration provided insufficient power steering assistance to the 4-doors because of the size and weight differences. At low speeds, this condition resulted in drivers having to constantly make steering corrections (sawing the steering wheel back and forth). At highway speeds, the steering would feel like it was "locked" because of the excessive amount of resistance encountered when trying to turn the steering wheel. There is another, apparently unrelated, steering condition out there that is a mechanical issue involving the steering gearbox which is usually accompanied by a clicking sound when manipulating the steering wheel. This condition has been resolved by replacing the gearbox with a new one.

Before I had my Jeep reflashed, I experienced both the "wandering" and the "steering lock" conditions. The former was a real annoyance, but not dangerous. The latter was a serious safety issue which only worsened as the vehicle's speed increased. It got to the point where I was avoiding Interstate travel because it was just too dicey to drive at speeds much over 55 mph.

 

[jeremyjeep]

I created a poll to get people's opinion on what they think will fix the steering problems at: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/poll-steering-problems-on-the-2018-wrangler-jl.14280/

 

[knick33]

Hi. Glad to read that most of your steering issues have been resolved. I would ask the dealer to perform the TSB re-configuration. I can't hurt and, who knows, it may cure your highway speed issues.
I was told that the JL is completely new with no parts coming over from the JK model. The steering gearbox is definitely new because it is aluminum and the JK's is steel.

XTrooper,

Thanks you for documenting your experience. I've been dealing with this issue since May/June and have been screaming for a new gearbox, but can't seem to get FCA to approve the repair. They had it in last week and did the reflash, I normally get the lock on "hot" days and after driving a while......I drove it for 1.5 hours with the temp in the high 90s expecting it to lock. It didn't and the drifting/deadspot in steering is gone. I'm optimistic and hope the flash fixes the problem.

I'll toss this out there to see what you all think. When I got the lock up issue, I could pull into a lot without the vehicle in motion and turn the wheel to trigger a "clicking" sound. That click would correspond to the same position where it locks at higher speeds, i'm not sure how the software could trigger a mechanical response from the steering because I can physically feel the pop when I hear the sound. I hope my issue is solved because I much rather a software fix than having someone take apart key components and risk something else being broken along the way.

 

[XTrooper]

XTrooper,

Thanks you for documenting your experience. I've been dealing with this issue since May/June and have been screaming for a new gearbox, but can't seem to get FCA to approve the repair. They had it in last week and did the reflash, I normally get the lock on "hot" days and after driving a while......I drove it for 1.5 hours with the temp in the high 90s expecting it to lock. It didn't and the drifting/deadspot in steering is gone. I'm optimistic and hope the flash fixes the problem.

I'll toss this out there to see what you all think. When I got the lock up issue, I could pull into a lot without the vehicle in motion and turn the wheel to trigger a "clicking" sound. That click would correspond to the same position where it locks at higher speeds, i'm not sure how the software could trigger a mechanical response from the steering because I can physically feel the pop when I hear the sound. I hope my issue is solved because I much rather a software fix than having someone take apart key components and risk something else being broken along the way.

I never had the clicking sound that others have reported unless it was there and I just couldn't hear it over the air conditioner blowing, the radio playing, and my diminished hearing. In any case, I have to agree with you. A clicking sound certainly sounds more like a mechanical issue to me rather than a software one, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. If your steering issue seems to be cured, let's hope it is! Are you still getting the clicking sound now after the reflash?

 

[knick33]

I never had the clicking sound that others have reported unless it was there and I just couldn't hear it over the air conditioner blowing, the radio playing, and my diminished hearing. In any case, I have to agree with you. A clicking sound certainly sounds more like a mechanical issue to me rather than a software one, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. If your steering issue seems to be cured, let's hope it is! Are you still getting the clicking sound now after the reflash?

I'll report back in a few weeks or sooner (if the lock up occurs), but if it is indeed fixed because of the TSB then they need to update the TSB to incorporate the lock up issue. i'm all for the fix working with a simple software update, but it scares the bleep out of me that no one, even with a STAR case knew how to fix it and the reflash was a, "let's just try it and see what happens" approach.

I sent HiJinx a note since we have been communicating and wondering if the gearbox replacement triggered them to do the reflash, but the flash was the actual fix. I'm not deeming this fixed just yet, but very hopeful.

I love this board....wealth of information.

 

[IPvFletch]

Man I can't keep up with all of the steering posts, but I found that survey finally and am on board!! The dealer basically checked things for me, but didn't offer any real solution.

WHO NOTICES HOW NOISY THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS WHEN STOPPED??? Just a tiny bit of turn and it makes all sorts of noise. It goes away if you re-center the wheel. HMMMMMMM......

 

[knick33]

IPvFletch,

Here is my video of the pop sound and you can feel it in the steering wheel. I pulled over after getting the steering locked since I could still feel it without driving.

 

[XTrooper]

IPvFletch,

Here is my video of the pop sound and you can feel it in the steering wheel. I pulled over after getting the steering locked since I could still feel it without driving.

Is it still doing that now or is the clicking gone since the reflash?

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