Sponsored

Is there a true fix for the Steering/Wandering issue?

crystalbackJL

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Threads
17
Messages
71
Reaction score
172
Location
South Florida
Vehicle(s)
2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JL
Since FCA refuses to fix my steering/wandering issue with my Jeep.

I have two options, to either sell it or fix it out of my own pocket.

If I choose to fix it, are there any "TRUE" fixes out there in which I can purchase quality products the first time so I can enjoy my Jeep the way I intended to when I purchased it.
Sponsored

 

Moto_21

Well-Known Member
First Name
Erik
Joined
Jul 18, 2018
Threads
39
Messages
2,526
Reaction score
5,690
Location
Corona
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Sport
Occupation
Maintenance
Vehicle Showcase
1
Since FCA refuses to fix my steering/wandering issue with my Jeep.

I have two options, to either sell it or fix it out of my own pocket.

If I choose to fix it, are there any "TRUE" fixes out there in which I can purchase quality products the first time so I can enjoy my Jeep the way I intended to when I purchased it.
Probably psc full gearbox replacement with ram assist
 

Niteshooter

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Oct 4, 2017
Threads
1
Messages
224
Reaction score
140
Location
Toronto Canada
Vehicle(s)
86 Jeep CJ7, 86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe, 00 Saturn, 10 smart, 11 JK
Vehicle Showcase
2
Looks like you upgraded the wheels and tires. I'd upgrade your steering stabilizer unless you have already done this. There are a lot of threads including one long one on here about death wobble and various fixes.

I would have recommended upgrading to the Fox stabilizer but when doing a quick search found this thread so maybe someone else on here that has installed one on their JL might add their thoughts.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jlu-fox-steering-stabilizer-issue.14231/

On my JK upgrading the stabilizer to the Fox from stock solved my problems with death wobble. I upgraded to 35" KO2's and their tread pattern was the root cause of my steering issues. Your stock tires were probably Michelin's and if you look at your tread it's pretty much straight grooves which allows the tires to track nice and straight. The KO's have that criss cross tread pattern and that seems to be enough to defeat the stock stabilizer. I also noticed immediately that my steering was a lot faster/responsive vs the General's that were on mine.

I installed BFG All Terrains on my CJ years ago which have a very similar tread pattern as the KO2's and the first thing I had to upgrade was the steering stabilizer as well as hitting pot holes sent the steering wheel into wild gyrations.
 

jayvis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
235
Reaction score
313
Location
Iowa
Vehicle(s)
2019 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Trade it for a '19 or wait for a '20.
 

Andrew05LJR

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andrew
Joined
Feb 28, 2019
Threads
6
Messages
209
Reaction score
224
Location
Ft Lauderdale
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLUR
Steering stabilizers aren't a "fix", they're a bandaid to a larger issue and are there for driver comfort. A proper steering set up should be able to drive straight, track straight and have no wandering issue or wobble issues, stabilizer or not.
 

Sponsored

Roky

Well-Known Member
First Name
Roky
Joined
Oct 4, 2018
Threads
45
Messages
8,919
Reaction score
24,047
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR
Build Thread
Link
Vehicle Showcase
1
Since FCA refuses to fix my steering/wandering issue with my Jeep.

I have two options, to either sell it or fix it out of my own pocket.

If I choose to fix it, are there any "TRUE" fixes out there in which I can purchase quality products the first time so I can enjoy my Jeep the way I intended to when I purchased it.
Can you give a little more information? What size tires, are you on a lift, what have you done to fix problem so far, and what is your rig doing exactly?
 

JLSahara2019

Member
First Name
Nick
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
9
Reaction score
5
Location
Northern Virginia
Vehicle(s)
JL Sahara 2019
I have a couple of points worth mentioning here. I have a custom-ordered 2019 Sahara with only 100 miles on it. On the way home from the dealership, keeping it in the lane on the road was a nuisance. It kept wandering and steering was sloppy/loose in general.

I talked to the dealership, they were clueless. I called Jeep, they knew nothing but I did log a case with Customer Care.

Tire pressure:
It is noteworthy that the tires were at 41 psi. I guess they ship like that and the dealership didn't care to adjust them. On the door jam, it suggests 36 psi. I have 255/70R18 113T. I just dropped them down to 36 psi and went on a quick test drive. It seems better in terms of wandering. The result is not conclusive. I have to go on another test drive and will write here again. But initially, it appears that wandering decreased.

Wandering vs. Loose Steering:
For me, I am separating between loose steering and wandering. I feel that loose steering is just the way it is. But when it wanders, correcting course with loose steering makes for an annoying experience, further amplifying the issue.

So next steps for all of us experiencing this (let's team up on this):
1. Check tire pressure and reduce to 36 cold. Please report back and tell us what the PSI was and what you changed it to, tire size etc... Test drive and write back.
2. If it persists, please submit a complaint here. This is so important if we're ever gonna get heard.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/...ITED/SUV/4WD%2520Later%2520Release#complaints
3. Log a case with Jeep Customer care. When you call them, demand that they log a case for you and get the case number. A call without case logged is useless. Tell them that you are concerned about your safety. Number: 877-426-5337. more contact info here: https://fcacommunity.force.com/Jeep/s/article/How-do-I-contact-Jeep2
4. Last but not least, if you feel desperate :) consider tweeting Jeep about it.

I will write back once I drive it more to conclude whether the tire pressure was an adequate fix. Let's keep this discussion going. Try not to tinker with the vehicle by adjusting and modifying things especially if you bought it new and it's still under warranty.

IMG_20190425_074124.jpg
 

Niteshooter

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Oct 4, 2017
Threads
1
Messages
224
Reaction score
140
Location
Toronto Canada
Vehicle(s)
86 Jeep CJ7, 86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe, 00 Saturn, 10 smart, 11 JK
Vehicle Showcase
2
Steering stabilizers aren't a "fix", they're a bandaid to a larger issue and are there for driver comfort. A proper steering set up should be able to drive straight, track straight and have no wandering issue or wobble issues, stabilizer or not.
Actually depending on the problem it can correct an issue, besides which what would that larger issue be. Sort of as helpful as the guy who suggested buying a 2019 or 2020......

In the really long thread about death wobble at the point I stopped reading several were reporting that after repeated replacement of various stock steering stabilizers not solving the problem an upgrade to an aftermarket SS did.

One thing that you and nobody really seems to look at is tread pattern. If the OP were to put his original tires back on his Jeep would the problems go away? Also this death wobble issue, some people report having it big time, others say they don't but what I do is look at the user sig and see which flavour of JL they are driving. Is there a correlation to the package vs problem and since different packages have different tires and different tread patterns....

Yes it's entirely possible that setup could be an issue but looking at the OP's sig he started off with a Sport and appears to have upgraded his wheels and tires. If he just kept the stock SS then that would be the first place I'd be looking though he has not provided a whole lot of details on what he is now running and what he has upgraded..... But on the various Jeeps and 4WD pickups I have owned and currently own after installing upgraded wheels and tires and then having everything set up I've found that the tread can also throw things off. When I upgraded to the Mopar 2" factory lift with my 34" Generals which have a fairly straight grooved tread the Jeep tracked straight and had no issues hitting pot holes and having the steering wheel gyrate wildly, at that time I upgraded my ball joints as well. After changing to KO2's hitting a pot hole sent the steering wheel rocking back and forth just like all the videos showing the 'death wobble'. Jeep still tracked straight. Upgrading to the Fox stabilizer completely got rid of the wobble. However the KO2's with their zig zag tread pattern I find react a lot quicker to steering input vs the Generals or any of the performance street tires I run on my other vehicles.
 

jayvis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
235
Reaction score
313
Location
Iowa
Vehicle(s)
2019 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Keep in mind that ever since electric assist steering was brought into the automotive world, it has probably been the most scrutinized system for nearly every brand out there. Ask BMW (the ultimate driving machine) about their customer complaints. Mix in a ladder frame, solid axles, all of the Wrangler tire and suspension options, and you have a formula for a plethora of potential customer complaints. Small improvements have been realized since the first 2018 JL's but I doubt very much that this issue will ever be fully resolved in the near future.
 

Brooklynjlu2018

Well-Known Member
First Name
Junior
Joined
Dec 21, 2018
Threads
24
Messages
183
Reaction score
80
Location
Massachusetts
Vehicle(s)
2018 wrangler sahara
I have a case as well waiting on yet another steering stabilizer from dealer and my jeep cares rep some people tell me caster others say drag link and tie rods i will end up doing all eventually but for now jeep tells me i have to be patient while they wait on parts to come in
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
crystalbackJL

crystalbackJL

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Threads
17
Messages
71
Reaction score
172
Location
South Florida
Vehicle(s)
2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JL
Stock Jeep Wrangler JL Sport.

Only removed stock wheels which were the Goodyear A/T's and installed 17x9 mammoth wheels with 285/75R17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

**** NOTE: Wandered with stock wheels as well ****

Only other mod is a Rubicon Steel bumper up front.

Just brought the Jeep back from the dealer after replacing all the bearings in the rear axle. Guess what?????? Rear axle is already popping on the drive home. Less than five miles from dealer. Obviously there's a reason why the bearings failed, if you don't fix the root of the problem replacing bearings will do nothing but guarantee a temporarily fix.

They noted the wandering but blame my aftermarket tires for it even though there are thousands of Jeeps with the same issue and even a service bulletin about it.

I'm a Jeep owner since 2007. My previous Jeep was a 2003 TJ X with a 2"BB and Rubicon springs, wheels, and tires.
I'm very familiar with how Jeeps handle and this thing is a handful to drive on the road.
 

JLSahara2019

Member
First Name
Nick
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
9
Reaction score
5
Location
Northern Virginia
Vehicle(s)
JL Sahara 2019
Stock Jeep Wrangler JL Sport.

Only removed stock wheels which were the Goodyear A/T's and installed 17x9 mammoth wheels with 285/75R17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

**** NOTE: Wandered with stock wheels as well ****

Only other mod is a Rubicon Steel bumper up front.

Just brought the Jeep back from the dealer after replacing all the bearings in the rear axle. Guess what?????? Rear axle is already popping on the drive home. Less than five miles from dealer. Obviously there's a reason why the bearings failed, if you don't fix the root of the problem replacing bearings will do nothing but guarantee a temporarily fix.

They noted the wandering but blame my aftermarket tires for it even though there are thousands of Jeeps with the same issue and even a service bulletin about it.

I'm a Jeep owner since 2007. My previous Jeep was a 2003 TJ X with a 2"BB and Rubicon springs, wheels, and tires.
I'm very familiar with how Jeeps handle and this thing is a handful to drive on the road.
Did you file a complaint here?
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/...ITED/SUV/4WD%2520Later%2520Release#complaints
 

JLSahara2019

Member
First Name
Nick
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
9
Reaction score
5
Location
Northern Virginia
Vehicle(s)
JL Sahara 2019
I have a case as well waiting on yet another steering stabilizer from dealer and my jeep cares rep some people tell me caster others say drag link and tie rods i will end up doing all eventually but for now jeep tells me i have to be patient while they wait on parts to come in
Did the dealer give you a hard time acknowledging the existence of the issue? A lot of people are getting the "it's a jeep thing" excuse which is totally unrelated in this case.
 

Sbnewsom

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Jun 8, 2018
Threads
11
Messages
88
Reaction score
49
Location
Indianapolis
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR
Have you gone to the dealer and had TSB 08-092-18 applied? That fixed my wandering issue.
 
 



Top