How to tighten steering.

[Dice23]

First, greetings from a fellow (former) Long Islander! I hope you take your Jeep out on Smith's Point regularly, even though its a parking lot. I remember when you had to be a member of the Long Island Beach Buggy Association to go out there, there were about a dozen or so people with permits for what, 10 miles of beach?

I've owned almost nothing but Wranglers for 25 years, at least 10 I can't even count, so I'm familiar with the play in the steering. It was noticeable in each of the three JKs I owned, too, but acceptable. The JL is very different - it wonders all over a highway lane, noticeably worse than any Jeep I've owned, even the CJs. Maybe you are right and its a "design feature," but to me it is a step backwards. Granted, most of my driving is highway and beach, but still, most people drive their Jeeps much more on road than off.

Just my two cents, I don't claim to be an expert or mechanic in any way, just an "end user" who finds it a bit unfordable with daily 60 mile each way commute. Unlike some folks on the forum, no other aspect of the JL bothers me on long highway drives, except the steering play.[/You could have a point. Some of the new Jl’s Might have too loose steering. It’s something that might have to be looked over. My JLU Rubicon drives the way I expected but it’s very stable. Some of the first year JL’s could have this problem you speak of.

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[smuddy]

Update for me. I don't feel the wandering too much... Just a bit. Before about 600 miles, the steering wouldn't go back to center on its own after a turn. That got much better. Seems completely about the steering stabilizer breaking in. My issue is the play in the steering wheel. I'm at 34 psi on 315 70 17 ko2s load C. I'm nearly constantly having to make small adjustments on the highway . It was the same before and after the tire change and before and after the stabilizer seemed to loosen up after 600 miles. Many have said a new steering stabilizer wouldn't do anything for the play and wandering and for me, they were right, but for 50 bucks and to have a spare in case I bash it on the trail, I thought I'd try it. It had no positive effect for me. In fact, it seems it behaves comparatively worse when it comes to hitting pot holes in the road. It seems to shudder the steering more. I'm going back to the stock stabilizer.
Just got back from a weekend trip where I drove 2 hrs each way which is the longest trip I've taken with it so far. It sucked! Constant little adjustments. I hope I can get this resolved or I'll actually consider going back to a jk, even with all the other great improvements the jl has over the jk.

I still have to book appt with the certified mechanic at the dealer since they only had me scheduled with their oil change specialists and they need more time with it.

This sucks! I really am hoping it's just a loose steering box.

To be continued ...

 

[Sftdyna0326$]

Update for me. I don't feel the wandering too much... Just a bit. Before about 600 miles, the steering wouldn't go back to center on its own after a turn. That got much better. Seems completely about the steering stabilizer breaking in. My issue is the play in the steering wheel. I'm at 34 psi on 315 70 17 ko2s load C. I'm nearly constantly having to make small adjustments on the highway . It was the same before and after the tire change and before and after the stabilizer seemed to loosen up after 600 miles. Many have said a new steering stabilizer wouldn't do anything for the play and wandering and for me, they were right, but for 50 bucks and to have a spare in case I bash it on the trail, I thought I'd try it. It had no positive effect for me. In fact, it seems it behaves comparatively worse when it comes to hitting pot holes in the road. It seems to shudder the steering more. I'm going back to the stock stabilizer.
Just got back from a weekend trip where I drove 2 hrs each way which is the longest trip I've taken with it so far. It sucked! Constant little adjustments. I hope I can get this resolved or I'll actually consider going back to a jk, even with all the other great improvements the jl has over the jk.

I still have to book appt with the certified mechanic at the dealer since they only had me scheduled with their oil change specialists and they need more time with it.

This sucks! I really am hoping it's just a loose steering box.

To be continued ...

That’s crazy! This is a very odd situation as many just needed to get some miles on it and adjust tire pressure and yet others are still having problems. I will say this if I had to deal with this truck the way it was for the first few hundred miles my wife would never drive it!!! No joke, it was scarey!

 

[sacourtney07]

Update for me. I don't feel the wandering too much... Just a bit. Before about 600 miles, the steering wouldn't go back to center on its own after a turn. That got much better. Seems completely about the steering stabilizer breaking in. My issue is the play in the steering wheel. I'm at 34 psi on 315 70 17 ko2s load C. I'm nearly constantly having to make small adjustments on the highway . It was the same before and after the tire change and before and after the stabilizer seemed to loosen up after 600 miles. Many have said a new steering stabilizer wouldn't do anything for the play and wandering and for me, they were right, but for 50 bucks and to have a spare in case I bash it on the trail, I thought I'd try it. It had no positive effect for me. In fact, it seems it behaves comparatively worse when it comes to hitting pot holes in the road. It seems to shudder the steering more. I'm going back to the stock stabilizer.
Just got back from a weekend trip where I drove 2 hrs each way which is the longest trip I've taken with it so far. It sucked! Constant little adjustments. I hope I can get this resolved or I'll actually consider going back to a jk, even with all the other great improvements the jl has over the jk.

I still have to book appt with the certified mechanic at the dealer since they only had me scheduled with their oil change specialists and they need more time with it.

This sucks! I really am hoping it's just a loose steering box.

To be continued ...

I just took mine on a 2000 mile road trip. It’s amazing off-road but I hate driving on the highway. I play a game to see how long I can go strait for. The most I’ve gotten is about 15 seconds. Even on the straitest roads in Utah, I’ll hold the wheel perfectly level at around 60 mph. I’ll be doing fine for about a quarter mile then all of a sudden, here I go swerving into the opposite lane for no reason at all, and I have to jerk the wheel to the right pretty hard. It makes the drive interesting I guess.

I’d like to hear how it goes with your dealer.

Might be taking a loss soon and trading in for a Tacoma.

 

[PavementWarrior]

Maybe the U48 steer shaft recall will also help out in some of the bad cases.

 

[KillaRubi]

 

[smuddy]

Maybe the U48 steer shaft recall will also help out in some of the bad cases.

Didn't see my vin in there. Still have to setup an appt. I just drove 500 miles and was constantly having to adjust the steering wheel. It was exhausting.

 

[Cpalms]

Has anybody tried a Griffin steering Attenuator on a JL?

It worked a miracle on the twitchy steering on my 2 door JK. I'm not sure if there is one for a JL or the JK model will fit. The $180 I spent on that thing was by far the best dollar for dollar mod I ever did to my JK.

 

[smuddy]

Has anybody tried a Griffin steering Attenuator on a JL?

It worked a miracle on the twitchy steering on my 2 door JK. I'm not sure if there is one for a JL or the JK model will fit. The $180 I spent on that thing was by far the best dollar for dollar mod I ever did to my JK.

tell us more! Twitchy...meaning? Did it fix a dead spot in the middle of the steering?

 

[SledgeHammer]

Bought a 2018 JL Unlimited Sport last week. Running on stock Bridgestone Dueler AT from Jeep.

After driving several JL's on the lot, one of the things I was impressed with was how tight the steering was. The dealership where I purchased had to get the Jeep I wanted from another dealer. Picked it up Friday night and as I drove away was surprised at how sloppy the steering handled, literally I was all over the road. Got home checked the tires and found them inflated to 43-44 psi. Set the cold tire pressure to the placard and it still wandered back and forth. There is 1/2 to 3/4 inch freeplay in the steering before tires turn. Took it back to the dealer suspecting a bad Steering Gear Box. Sure enough, Service Dept. says the Gear Box is bad and they are replacing.

I have owned 2 CJ-7's, rebuilt one of them and currently own a 1994 Bronco XLT. I know what sloppy steering is. It's 2018, the steering should not wander all over the road. If you are having problems with your JL, take it back in. Of course have the tire pressure and alignment checked, but if it still wanders don't accept it.

Also, I wouldn't listen to anybody who tells you to suck it up, "it's a Jeep thing".

 

[WXman]

Now there are guys claiming the steering box is faulty and getting it replaced under warranty cures the problem. If that's true, those of us who already lifted our rigs are likely screwed because there's no way they'll touch a lifted Jeep for steering issues under warranty. Sigh....

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Now there are guys claiming the steering box is faulty and getting it replaced under warranty cures the problem. If that's true, those of us who already lifted our rigs are likely screwed because there's no way they'll touch a lifted Jeep for steering issues under warranty. Sigh....

This is not true. Overly dramatic. Do you really believe that FCA will not fix a safety issue under warranty .. a safety recall issue ...because you lifted your Jeep.

 

[Blammmo_]

I also have a bit of play in the steering at highway speeds, just going to drive it a while and see if FCA comes up with a decent fix.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

I also have a bit of play in the steering at highway speeds, just going to drive it a while and see if FCA comes up with a decent fix.

I felt the same on day one and two of owning my JL (2dr) . I lowered the tire pis to 34 and telescoped my steering wheel (pulled it closer to me) and BINGO, the JL started handling aok.

I'm not saying you or say someone else here does not have a legitimate steering issue(s) but DO try doing as I did and see if it does not alleviate your steering issue. For the record no, it does not drive/steer like my 2014 Sahara 2dr.. I expected some differences because of new design and taller/wider tires.

 

[jlroman2]

Want tighter steering? Buy a beemer...they're really tight. This vehicle, on the other hand, needs a tad bit of slack to do what it does best. I agree, it can wander, sometimes more than you would think. After browsing this forum I found my tire pressure from the dealer was extremely high. I went from 43 psi to 36 and everything improved dramatically. Having said that you will never have a beemer like steering feel.

Also, if you focus on your steering your mind will continously make small adjustments. An old trick to driving is to look as far down the road as possible and let your mind steer for you. You'll find that you never think about the tiny bit of play in the steering wheel again. This may sound ridiculous but I've taught many people this trick and not a single person has disagreed with me after hearing me out.

or a Volkswagen Beetle lol
I recently went from 43 psi to 37 psi and I'm even getting better gas mileage.

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