How to tighten steering.

[EsTxDr]

This seems to be a pretty widespread problem. Maybe @JeepCares could look into it further?

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[RABUF]

Steering is definitely different then 2012 Sarah’s. A little more play left & right. Lowered air to 37. Big improvement. Will put some miles on to break in before making any adjustments.

 

[smuddy]

i'm guessing service departments are going to start making adjustments to the steering box rather than replacing it. They apparently did that for one forum member here. A few others have gotten new boxes, but really sounds like they are just coming from the factory with an extremely loose setting. Mine is at the dealer again today. They didn't get to look at it yesterday. With Jeep wave, you get one day courtesy car rental. Then, my vin came up in the recall for the software issue for the cruise control, so they gave me another day for that.

 

[WXman]

If they are coming from the factory tight, then that would explain why some folks report that over time the steering gets better. That would make sense.

If they are coming from the factory loose, then they'd get worse after a few thousand miles, not better. At least, one would think.

 

[smuddy]

If they are coming from the factory tight, then that would explain why some folks report that over time the steering gets better. That would make sense.

If they are coming from the factory loose, then they'd get worse after a few thousand miles, not better. At least, one would think.

There must be a couple of different issues happening here. The dead spot in the steering is never going to get better on its own. The only thing that changed for me was that the return to center got better after making a turn. That's it. And yes, you do get "used to it" a bit and you get better at dealing with it, but you shouldn't have to! I'm really wondering what percentage of them are like this. No way it's all of them!

 

[WXman]

I have no idea if this is related, but two days ago I loosened the nuts on my front sway bar links. They had been installed really tight. I loosened them up to proper torque spec. Since then my Jeep has been handling quite a bit better and it rides slightly better too. Doesn't toss me around as much. Hmm...

But yeah, I've suspected that the steering box or stabilizer could have played a part in this all along. I agree, it can't be all JLs because there are guys who claim they've never noticed it. But, it is a large number of JLs because every forum on the Web has complaints about it, from both rookie and veteran Jeepers alike.

Mine is going into the shop Monday for the U63 safety recall, so I'll ask about the steering box issue and see what they tell me.

 

[smuddy]

And, what I expected, service is saying they can't find anything wrong. They said that with the electric steering, that it's extra sensitive. Well, actually, it's not sensitive in that it doesn't turn with a turn of the wheel! I'm going to have to go back to the dealer and drive with the tech to show him what I'm talking about, I guess. I'm not holding my breath, however. This sucks!

 

[smuddy]

And, what I expected, service is saying they can't find anything wrong. They said that with the electric steering, that it's extra sensitive. Well, actually, it's not sensitive in that it doesn't turn with a turn of the wheel! I'm going to have to go back to the dealer and drive with the tech to show him what I'm talking about, I guess. I'm not holding my breath, however. This sucks!

And get this, they said that my tires were under-inflated (had them at 33-34 cold) and that could also be the cause!

 

[smuddy]

Drove it with a shop foreman and showed him the play in the steering. He said he will order me a new steering box. Of course, it's on backorder and wasn't able to give me a time line. Funny thing is, all the talk about tire pressure ... They changed it from where I had it around 35 to this

 

[Go4aRyd]

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".

My experience as well, so ditto on your advice.

 

[mpd352]

Won't help. Mine has Bridgestone Dueler H/T tires on it, as road worthy as you'll find on a Jeep, and it still wonders. If anybody has ever wondered what it would be like to drive while drunk, go test drive a JL Wrangler.

Not directing this at you... but like I've said countless times this issue has nothing to do with the tires. I don't know why guys think the tires would make a vehicle handle and steer poorly. If that were the case, those tires would be taken off the market. Tires should never cause a vehicle to move back and forth in a lane of traffic.

Over inflated tires do affect steering. The wif'es two day old JL 2dr wandered like crazy. Lowering the tire pressure into the correct range made a huge difference. It arrived with the tires at 47-49 PSI.

 

[Jeeperz Kreeperz]

I had nearly identical experience to another poster here: Test drove a JL, and was pleasantly surprised by how tight and direct the steering was, and how well it tracked. Then I purchased another JL from an out of state dealer who delivered it to me. I’ve put about 200 miles on it, and it is all over the road, and a big dead spot of 1.5” in either direction of dead center. Completely different from the first JL I test drove.

As for tire pressure - I must admit, I never checked it on the first test drive. The new JL was/is at 41 psi. I will air down to 36 or 37 and give it a go, and report back.

 

[Dice23]

Hey buddy, you could be right. But I never had a tight steering Jeep and read that’s the way it should be

 

[3uPh0riK]

Just read through all of this, since I just got my Jeep and definitely feeling the issues described in this forum. Im curious, it doesnt seem like anyone got it resolved by taking the vehicle to the dealer? It seems like my only option is to wait and hopefully it magically gets better?

 

[Kysport]

Many of us on this site have been hoping it magically gets better for months but it doesn't. FCA should stand behind their products and admit this is a safety issue and come up with a fix. I've owned several Jeeps over the years as have my family members, but this is our last one unless something happens soon. Taking a long road trip in a few months and it won't be in my Wrangler unless it's fixed.

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