Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[GinjaNinja]

After speaking and consulting with multiple members on this forum about the constant steering issues that many have experienced, we thought a survey would be beneficial. If you have current steering issues (or if you had them and they were fixed by the dealer) please complete this survey:

https://goo.gl/forms/uWOyTgyqG6AnNdEY2

I took the survey and the video in the facebook link is EXACTLY what mine is doing. I demonstrated this for the wife just yesterday. I think I could turn the wheel a bit more than the video even...its bad!

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[schulah]

Ok back from the dealership with an update. The service manager first drove my JL and immediately notice the loose steering. He brought it back to the shop to adjust the adjustment screw and could not get the inner screw to budge what so ever. HE was afraid of stripping it. So he has ordered a new steering box. Interesting, I remember reading of someone else attempting the adjustment themselves and stripping out the screw. I am so glad I let the dealer deal with it.

I am going to send my information to Jeep Chat hoping they will assign a case manager and hopefully we will see a recall soon.

Thanks for the update, Chad...please keep us posted! I just got back from my dealer regarding the issue. First, the salesman asked me to drive another Rubi to be see if I noticed a difference (I did). Second, he took my JLUR for a quick drive and noticed the loose steering. I'm headed back on Friday to have service take a look at it. I'll post an update once that's taken care of.

 

[sm16]

I took my Jeep in today for the excess play and worked with Jeep Cares. They assigned me a case manager and he told them to apply the TSB that supposedly fixes the issue. Didn’t get a call back to pick it up today. Hopefully they’ll let me know they fixed it tomorrow. Will keep everyone posted.

 

[Jhoward136]

I'm curious to hear about how the software update impacts. Since not all JLs have the steering issue my guess is that it is NOT a software issue.

I would guess that a software update is much cheaper than a hardware recall of the steering box; so I'm sure Jeep is hoping to be able to correct with software.

Jeep Cares is recommending to me not to replace steering box and is recommending software updates. Does anyone know how Jeep Cares is funded?

There is one person today who posted software is being updated and one person who posted that steering box is being replaced, so we will see soon enough!

I took my Jeep in today for the excess play and worked with Jeep Cares. They assigned me a case manager and he told them to apply the TSB that supposedly fixes the issue. Didn’t get a call back to pick it up today. Hopefully they’ll let me know they fixed it tomorrow. Will keep everyone posted.

 

[Holymoly1963]

I took my Jeep in today for the excess play and worked with Jeep Cares. They assigned me a case manager and he told them to apply the TSB that supposedly fixes the issue. Didn’t get a call back to pick it up today. Hopefully they’ll let me know they fixed it tomorrow. Will keep everyone posted.

"Didn't get a call back" sums up most customer service in the USA today. What's wrong with these people?

 

[bwilliam79]

We got our JLUR back yesterday after a few days in the shop to address the steering wheel locking TSB and the steering wheel needing constant left input to drive straight. I can say after limited driving so far, haven't had any issues when turning (yet) and the steering wheel itself has been straightened. Interestingly, now that the wheel is straightened, it seems like we have the 1-2" of steering wheel play others are reporting. I'm not sure if this is just apparent now that the wheel is straight whereas before it was turned slightly left and maybe we didn't notice it as much. Regardless, it's an improvement and we'll continue monitoring it to see if the wheel play is real or just a matter of getting used to things being straightened out now.

 

[Holymoly1963]

Just got back from my dealer who "checked everything and we can't find anything wrong with your steering". I told them to specifically drive it on I 40 and let it do its thing. They took it on city streets. I met with the service manager and told him to drive it home tonight and, to his credit, he agreed. Not feeling real positive about this again. Interesting sidelight, they suggested I take it to another dealer..huh? Also refused to compare my 2dr with a 4dr and because they don't have another 2dr in stock said come back another time?? I asked if there was a different steering setup on the 2dr and they said they didn't know..I'd bet my next paycheck the steering systems are the same. Play is play. BTW they seemed unaware of any adjustment screw. It's pretty clear to me JEEP corporate doesn't know about this safety problem. UUggg

 

[olmectech]

Just installed the Rough Country 2.2 Steering Stabilizer. Took jeep for spin, and felt no steering issues at
80 mph. So between dropping tire pressure and new stabilizer Jeep feels normal.

Does it handle like my 2 door JK Sahara? Nope. I feel that may be a function of this new electronic steering and bigger tires.
Next I will install Fox shocks to see if that tightens up the handling even more.

 

[chadc880]

As far as dealers suggesting the software update will fix it ? lol!!! You cannot fix a physical mechanical failure with a computer software update. That is stupid insane.

It is very difficult at least for me to get my Jeep past 75MPH example passing a truck. It feels extremely unsafe.

Come on JeepCares. I sent you a PM and have heard nothing. I cannot believe how FCA is so blind to this issue.

Ok I'm going back to my day.

 

[sm16]

"Didn't get a call back" sums up most customer service in the USA today. What's wrong with these people?

So I got an email from my case manager letting me know that he spoke to the SA at the dealership. They’re still working on my steering. I was told by a service agent at the dealership that I would get a call today to update me on the progress - nothing yet. If they keep the Jeep for 3 days and figure it out, then I’m cool with that. If not, then a bit of a waste. I’ll stay positive.
I do have to say that Jeep Cares and my case manager are very responsive.

 

[DDwranglerJL2]

Curious to know if anyone has looked into invoking their state’s Lemon Law as the ultimate resolution of this steering safety issue. My JL 2-door has the same problem. I have filed a formal complaint with NHTSA, started a “case” with Jeep Cares, had my Jeep service dealer look at it twice (with no resolution), and filled out a very detailed Customer Satisfaction survey with Jeep which explained in great detail the steering safety issue with my vehicle. My initial North Carolina Lemon Law research is showing I might indeed have a case. Anybody else looking at doing this?

 

[Swanny297]

As far as dealers suggesting the software update will fix it ? lol!!! You cannot fix a physical mechanical failure with a computer software update. That is stupid insane.

It is very difficult at least for me to get my Jeep past 75MPH example passing a truck. It feels extremely unsafe.

Come on JeepCares. I sent you a PM and have heard nothing. I cannot believe how FCA is so blind to this issue.

Ok I'm going back to my day.

The JL has EHPS - Electric Hydraulic Power Steering - so there are functions of the new steering system that rely on programming.

 

[cabnfvr]

Does anyone know if the adjuster on the steering box has Loctite from the factory? The adjuster nut will loosen but not the adjuster itself. I read on here where one member broke the hex portion of the adjuster trying to break it free. Don't want to do that.

If not for the internet I'm not sure I'd have much of an issue but it could be better for sure.

 

[Saejin]

I believe it does. I assume it’s supposed to be set when it’s built and never need adjusting. Some have tried heating it up to loosen. Also some couldn’t get it to break free but we’re able to tighten the adjuster nut a bit further beyond what it was set which in turn adjusted the whole thing. I don’t think they got 1/8 of turn, but st least 1/16 which they reported helped a bit.

 

[bwilliam79]

I believe it does. I assume it’s supposed to be set when it’s built and never need adjusting. Some have tried heating it up to loosen. Also some couldn’t get it to break free but we’re able to tighten the adjuster nut a bit further beyond what it was set which in turn adjusted the whole thing. I don’t think they got 1/8 of turn, but st least 1/16 which they reported helped a bit.

Having tried this adjustment myself the other day, I can confirm every bit of what you're saying. I was able to break loose the jam nut, but the adjustment screw was stuck with it and as much as I tried, I could not separate them. I finally gave up after 30-45 minutes and just tightened the jam nut back down as much as I could, which resulted in about 1/16" beyond the original setting. It seems to have made a very slight difference, but it would be nice if the steering was just a bit tighter.

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