Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[Jeep&dogs]

Anyone ever look at what it would take to swap in a Jk box? It’s cast iron and looks pretty damn close to me from what I can tell in pictures.

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[HoundDude]

... no matter what I did I could not get the set bolt loose. I heated a little, I heated a lot...

how much heat did you apply?
45 to 60 sec with a micro butane torch should work. as you noted, the play depends on temperature so be sure to leave some play, especially if the ambient temperature is warm at time of adjustment.

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

I bought my Jeep at the end of December and just received a survey today from Jeep. I ripped them good on the loose steering issue that I have. I hope I get a followup call about it and I hope they find a fix for too much play in the steering. I don't have the wobble or the pulling, just the too much play. I already had it to the dealer but of course they say nothing wrong with it.

I was savage in my survey and didn’t hold any punches on the steering. I gave them my contact info. Nothing.

 

[Tire Guy]

Tire Guy, a friend adjusted mine over the weekend and it was rough getting the nut loose but with some heat it came loose. BE CAREFUL though, we tightened mine too much so now the steering is too tight and is just as hard to drive as having too much play. Now we have to loosen it a little. Just do a little at a time.

how much heat did you apply?
45 to 60 sec with a micro butane torch should work. as you noted, the play depends on temperature so be sure to leave some play, especially if the ambient temperature is warm at time of adjustment.

I was using a micro torch and heated about a minute then tried longer. Could not get to budge.

 

[kobejo34]

I was savage in my survey and didn’t hold any punches on the steering. I gave them my contact info. Nothing.

I did the same and never received anything other than would you like our credit card.

 

[JDM]

I did the same and never received anything other than would you like our credit card.

Last year after having a falling out with the dealer that I bought my JL from I asked to be removed from their mailing list. I just received a promotional flyer from that dealer. It offers “Up to $2,000.00 additional Chrysler Rebates Over & Above our Current Rebates & Discounts for the Month of March”. It shows a picture of a 2020 JL with the statement “Some of our Current March Rebates are: “UP TO $6,500 OFF” (on a photo of a 2020 Jeep JL).

They could have spent less than that fixing my JL and retained a customer that had bought 3 vehicles from them. I even offered to share the cost. Then I asked for a credit against future service work. In all cases the answer was NO!. Now I get this promo flyer thanking me for my patronage. Really??? How galactically stupid.

So I sent another polite request to be taken off the mailing list today. If it happens again I’ll report them. Any market is finite no matter how large. No one can afford to loose customers in this way. I guess they’ll learn the hard way if they have the desire to and will to learn.

 

[Dkretden]

Last year after having a falling out with the dealer that I bought my JL from I asked to be removed from their mailing list. I just received a promotional flyer from that dealer. It offers “Up to $2,000.00 additional Chrysler Rebates Over & Above our Current Rebates & Discounts for the Month of March”. It shows a picture of a 2020 JL with the statement “Some of our Current March Rebates are: “UP TO $6,500 OFF” (on a photo of a 2020 Jeep JL).

They could have spent less than that fixing my JL and retained a customer that had bought 3 vehicles from them. I even offered to share the cost. Then I asked for a credit against future service work. In all cases the answer was NO!. Now I get this promo flyer thanking me for my patronage. Really??? How galactically stupid.

So I sent another polite request to be taken off the mailing list today. If it happens again I’ll report them. Any market is finite no matter how large. No one can afford to loose customers in this way. I guess they’ll learn the hard way if they have the desire to and will to learn.

There should be an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email. It’s likely automated and will take you off.

 

[Dkretden]

I bought my Jeep at the end of December and just received a survey today from Jeep. I ripped them good on the loose steering issue that I have. I hope I get a followup call about it and I hope they find a fix for too much play in the steering. I don't have the wobble or the pulling, just the too much play. I already had it to the dealer but of course they say nothing wrong with it.

I’m curious. You have a new 2020 purchased in December and you have steering issues.

as you were considering buying/taking delivery of your vehicle, did your steering issue not manifest on your test drive (city streets and highway at speed)? If it didn’t occur before you purchased it, when did you first notice it?

 

[JDM]

There should be an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email. It’s likely automated and will take you off.

Thanks, it was sent by post.

 

[Dkretden]

Thanks, it was sent by post.

Wow! Who the heck does that anymore?

 

[JDM]

I’m curious. You have a new 2020 purchased in December and you have steering issues.

as you were considering buying/taking delivery of your vehicle, did your steering issue not manifest on your test drive (city streets and highway at speed)? If it didn’t occur before you purchased it, when did you first notice it?

I have a 2018 JLU, fairly loaded. Took it out for an extensive test drive, streets and hwy. The steering issues started to make themselves evident at about 10,000 miles possibly even more. Took possession in Jan. 2018. Severe wobble (stock no mods, yes it was death wobble) started in Nov. 2018. Between November 2018 and March of 2019 attempts were made to fix the problem. After communication with FCA and the dealer that went no where I took the matter in hand. As the the fix to one issue took place the dead spot began to be more apparent. IMO, It wasn’t as apparent when I test drove it because it was being masked by the steering damper that was working up to November 2018.

The dealer that is now servicing my JLU had to do a couple of warrantee repairs unrelated to handling/steering issue recently, and made a rental available at N/C. I chose a 2019 (may have been a 2020) JLU so that I could compare it to my 2018. Didn’t have the wobble but did have the dead spot and handling that could be best described as trying to drive a wet noodle on the HWY. It had about 20,000 miles/32,000K.

I do believe that an extensive test drive is advisable. However it may not guarantee that the vehicle will continue to handle and drive as it did on the test drive. It would appear that some have had a good experience (I believe those people) and others like myself have not. The dealer that I’m working with now is very good but limited by FCA directives. It doesn’t change the fact that I had the issues corrected at my expense and now the original dealer is trying to get my business back by offering sizeable incentives. It’s an insult at best.

 

[JDM]

Wow! Who the heck does that anymore?

It’s just a “Jeep thing”???????

 

[Dkretden]

I have a 2018 JLU, fairly loaded. Took it out for an extensive test drive, streets and hwy. The steering issues started to make themselves evident at about 10,000 miles possibly even more. Took possession in Jan. 2018. Severe wobble (stock no mods, yes it was death wobble) started in Nov. 2018. Between November 2018 and March of 2019 attempts were made to fix the problem. After communication with FCA and the dealer that went no where I took the matter in hand. As the the fix to one issue took place the dead spot began to be more apparent. IMO, It wasn’t as apparent when I test drove it because it was being masked by the steering damper that was working up to November 2018.

The dealer that is now servicing my JLU had to do a couple of warrantee repairs unrelated to handling/steering issue recently, and made a rental available at N/C. I chose a 2019 (may have been a 2020) JLU so that I could compare it to my 2018. Didn’t have the wobble but did have the dead spot and handling that could be best described as trying to drive a wet noodle on the HWY. It had about 20,000 miles/32,000K.

I do believe that an extensive test drive is advisable. However it may not guarantee that the vehicle will continue to handle and drive as it did on the test drive. It would appear that some have had a good experience (I believe those people) and others like myself have not. The dealer that I’m working with now is very good but limited by FCA directives. It doesn’t change the fact that I had the issues corrected at my expense and now the original dealer is trying to get my business back by offering sizeable incentives. It’s an insult at best.

Thank you. This interests me as it would imply there there is a “wear part” issue since you test drove it, had no issues for 10,000 miles, and then started to have issues.

 

[Encycloman]

I bought my wife a new Rubicon JL and I drove it the other day and it seems to have some play in the steering and feels like I am constantly trying to correct the direction we are traveling. I thought it was out of alignment but I went and drove another one and it felt the same way. Is anyone else feel this issue and is it just the way it is or is it just a jeep thing? We just sold our 2013 JKU and it was like that too but I expected improved steering on the new JL model. I would like to hear other peoples thoughts about this steering play or drifting feeling. O by the way, She loves her new ride!

Mine was like yours...I switched out the whole system fro a hydraulic aftermarket. Steers like a dream, and I don't have to wonder if the electric system will crap out

 

[FredC]

I’m curious. You have a new 2020 purchased in December and you have steering issues.

as you were considering buying/taking delivery of your vehicle, did your steering issue not manifest on your test drive (city streets and highway at speed)? If it didn’t occur before you purchased it, when did you first notice it?

Unfortunately I had never heard of the steering problems and even though I did a test drive I didn't notice the play in the steering on the test drive. After I bought the Jeep and put a couple hundred miles on it I was curious in the play in the steering so started researching. That is when I found this forum and see that a lot of people have this steering play and in some cases much worse problems. At least I can drive my Jeep but I am sure some people think I am a drunk driver because of not being able to keep it straight all the time.

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