Dealership vs Owner...loose steering issue

[4xnaz]

Calling out for help to any other JL owners who have had success dealing with the dealership and remedying the loose steering issue. I just dropped off my Rubicon, 3.5 Metalcloak Gamechanger lift with 38" Milestar Patagonia tires. I dont have any steering upgrades, all still factory components including the stabilizer.

I've read all the past posts and watched YouTube till I was red in the eyes concerning the play in the steering. I can move my steering wheel almost 2 inches from center, both left and right, without any response from my wheels and still be traveling straight. And just recently, starting to experience minor death wobble when hitting a hole with either left or right front tire. I noticed when I drop my tire PSI from 24 (daily driving setting) to 18, the death wobble doesnt occur.

I've brought these concerns to the dealership and right off the bat they bring to my attention the mods from stock (lift and tires) may be the cause and if found to be causing the issue...not covered under warranty. I would be forced to pay a $140 diagnostic fee if that was the case. I even had the service manager ride with me to notice the play in the steering wheel. Keep in mind that this is the same dealership that I had to educate about the difference in oil quantity of the 3.6 engine in the JK vs the JL.

My question....anyone have success with their dealership in fixing this issue and what do I need to tell my dealership for them to do the same thing?

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[WXman]

I hate to say it, but most dealers are going to immediately point to that lift kit. That's why I never even mentioned my steering issues. I knew it would be a waste of time. Thankfully I got lucky and my calibrations were updated as a part of a required recall, so I got mine fixed for free without even mentioning the word "steering".

Unless you want to return to stock, then get the Jeep repaired, then put the lift back on...I'm not sure what advice to give you. FCA is keeping a close eye on modifications these days.

 

[4xnaz]

I hate to say it, but most dealers are going to immediately point to that lift kit. That's why I never even mentioned my steering issues. I knew it would be a waste of time. Thankfully I got lucky and my calibrations were updated as a part of a required recall, so I got mine fixed for free without even mentioning the word "steering".

Unless you want to return to stock, then get the Jeep repaired, then put the lift back on...I'm not sure what advice to give you. FCA is keeping a close eye on modifications these days.

Is there an "unlike" button? LOL, glad it worked out for you though!

 

[Shenanigans]

There is no such thing as minor death wobble. You either have death wobble or you don’t. Many on here misrepresent their steering issues as death wobble. Death wobble is an extremely violent shake that in order to get rid of it, you have to come to a complete stop or close to it.

Being a hardcore jeeper for many years, I would start by looking at alignment. Take it to a real off road shop that can diagnose it. They dealer won’t touch it with the tires and lift combo that you have. Sounds like you need more caster. Is it wandering at all?

Could be an alignment issue. Could be a tire issue as well.

 

[Shenanigans]

There is no such thing as minor death wobble. You either have death wobble or you don’t. Many on here misrepresent their steering issues as death wobble. Death wobble is an extremely violent shake that in order to get rid of it, you have to come to a complete stop or close to it. Death wobble is so severe that it can cause a complete loss of control.

Being a hardcore jeeper for many years, I would start by looking at alignment. Take it to a real off road shop that can diagnose it. They dealer won’t touch it with the tires and lift combo that you have. Sounds like you need more caster. Is it wandering at all?

Could be an alignment issue. Could be a tire issue as well.

 

[Shenanigans]

Check out this video which shows true death wobble. These guys are the country’s go to when you have an extremely rare steering or suspension setup that needs a new part. Like some of the worlds rarest cars. I know they guys. They just happen to also like jeeps. They make some awesome rebuildable ball joints.

 

[4xnaz]

I'm familiar with DW myself, and yes, it is minor. So let's just call it Wobble then. My steering wheel violently shakes after hitting a hole, but for only a few seconds and corrects itself without having to come to a complete stop. The steering wheel shakes so bad I have to take my hands off it until it corrects.

A "real" offroad shop installed my lift and also did the alignment. Alignment specs have been verified and wheel balance also in range.

 

[Shenanigans]

I'm familiar with DW myself, and yes, it is minor. So let's just call it Wobble then. My steering wheel violently shakes after hitting a hole, but for only a few seconds and corrects itself without having to come to a complete stop. The steering wheel shakes so bad I have to take my hands off it until it corrects.

A "real" offroad shop installed my lift and also did the alignment. Alignment specs have been verified and wheel balance also in range.

Good luck to ya! Might find a different “real” off road shop because the one who did yours doesn’t know much if they can’t diagnose it.

 

[4xnaz]

Check out this video which shows true death wobble. These guys are the country’s go to when you have an extremely rare steering or suspension setup that needs a new part. Like some of the worlds rarest cars. I know they guys. They just happen to also like jeeps. They make some awesome rebuildable ball joints.

Seen this before...also shown it to the dealership. Thanks for the link though. It's as if the dealership who sells a vehicle that is 90% of the time, modified from stock, have no clue that these things happen.

 

[4xnaz]

Good luck to ya! Might find a different “real” off road shop because the one who did yours doesn’t know much if they can’t diagnose it.

You might have misunderstood me. My "real" offroad shop did the install and alignment. The symptoms have started a few thousand miles after the install and I thought I'd bring it to the dealership first, as to hope for a warranty issue. Then if I cant get a satisfactory remedy from the dealership, then I'll go back to my install shop for the help due to being more experienced in the field.

 

[JeepCares]

Calling out for help to any other JL owners who have had success dealing with the dealership and remedying the loose steering issue. I just dropped off my Rubicon, 3.5 Metalcloak Gamechanger lift with 38" Milestar Patagonia tires. I dont have any steering upgrades, all still factory components including the stabilizer.

I've read all the past posts and watched YouTube till I was red in the eyes concerning the play in the steering. I can move my steering wheel almost 2 inches from center, both left and right, without any response from my wheels and still be traveling straight. And just recently, starting to experience minor death wobble when hitting a hole with either left or right front tire. I noticed when I drop my tire PSI from 24 (daily driving setting) to 18, the death wobble doesnt occur.

I've brought these concerns to the dealership and right off the bat they bring to my attention the mods from stock (lift and tires) may be the cause and if found to be causing the issue...not covered under warranty. I would be forced to pay a $140 diagnostic fee if that was the case. I even had the service manager ride with me to notice the play in the steering wheel. Keep in mind that this is the same dealership that I had to educate about the difference in oil quantity of the 3.6 engine in the JK vs the JL.

My question....anyone have success with their dealership in fixing this issue and what do I need to tell my dealership for them to do the same thing?

Hi 4xnaz,

We're sorry this is happening, and we understand your concerns. There is a technical service bulletin (TSB) that seems to address the steering concerns you mentioned. Your dealer will still need to perform a diagnosis, but we recommend bringing the TSB information to your dealer's attention. I have included the TSB below, and if you run into any issues working with them on this, please PM us any time.

NUMBER: 08-092-18
GROUP: 08 Electrical
DATE: July 7, 2018

SUBJECT: Low Steering Assist at Highway Speeds
OVERVIEW: This bulletin involves performing a Restore Vehicle Configuration routine. The reconfiguration will update the Electro Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS) calibrations.

MODELS: 2018 (JL) Jeep Wrangler
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: NAFTA.
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or after October 30, 2017 (1030XX) and on or before May 08, 2018 (0508XX) equipped with Long Wheel Base (Sales Code 595).

Jennifer
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Calling out for help to any other JL owners who have had success dealing with the dealership and remedying the loose steering issue. I just dropped off my Rubicon, 3.5 Metalcloak Gamechanger lift with 38" Milestar Patagonia tires. I dont have any steering upgrades, all still factory components including the stabilizer.

I've read all the past posts and watched YouTube till I was red in the eyes concerning the play in the steering. I can move my steering wheel almost 2 inches from center, both left and right, without any response from my wheels and still be traveling straight. And just recently, starting to experience minor death wobble when hitting a hole with either left or right front tire. I noticed when I drop my tire PSI from 24 (daily driving setting) to 18, the death wobble doesnt occur.

I've brought these concerns to the dealership and right off the bat they bring to my attention the mods from stock (lift and tires) may be the cause and if found to be causing the issue...not covered under warranty. I would be forced to pay a $140 diagnostic fee if that was the case. I even had the service manager ride with me to notice the play in the steering wheel. Keep in mind that this is the same dealership that I had to educate about the difference in oil quantity of the 3.6 engine in the JK vs the JL.

My question....anyone have success with their dealership in fixing this issue and what do I need to tell my dealership for them to do the same thing?

It should be easy to diagnose the 2 inches of play before the tires move. Just observe the pitman arm when moving the steering wheel back and forth. If the pitman arm doesn’t move then you know the play is in the steering box. If the pitman moves with the steering wheel, you know the problem is after the steering box either with the drag link, tie rod or knuckle ball joints.

 

[4xnaz]

Update, after 2 days of diagnostics at the dealership, and driving other JLs with similar lifts, my Rubicon has been found to be within acceptable limits. And actually was told, it drove better than any other lifted JL they tried. So I need to pick up my Wrangler in the morning, just as I dropped it off 2 days ago without any software updates or steering box adjustments made and also $140 out of my pocket for their diagnostic work.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Update, after 2 days of diagnostics at the dealership, and driving other JLs with similar lifts, my Rubicon has been found to be within acceptable limits. And actually was told, it drove better than any other lifted JL they tried. So I need to pick up my Wrangler in the morning, just as I dropped it off 2 days ago without any software updates or steering box adjustments made and also $140 out of my pocket for their diagnostic work.

Have you read Star Case #S1819000003.

It states the dealers should not adjust the steering box. They are to check the rotating torque. If it’s out of spec the dealer is supposed to replace it.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-142#post-426243

 

[4xnaz]

Have you read Star Case #S1819000003.

It states the dealers should not adjust the steering box. They are to check the rotating torque. If it’s out of spec the dealer is supposed to replace it.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-142#post-426243

Yes, I've read the Star Case and did notice the notation to dealerships to NOT adjust the steering box. However other members have had luck with dealers doing the adjustment with positive results as well as Jeep Informent doing the same with positive results. I just don't seem to understand why it can't be completed. I'm no mechanic by any means, but if this is giving a tighter response to steering, what negative effects is it doing? If the bigger picture isn't a mechanical issue but more of a cost issue for FCA without being a critical safety issue, that's sad. I have had multiple Wranglers, both stock and custom, and this "play" in the steering without response from the tires isn't normal. And for the dealership to charge me for diagnostic tests because they couldn't find anything "wrong" with their tests is also a mistreatment to customers loyal to the Jeep brand.

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