Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[smuddy]

I have an appt with the dealer on the 13th. Just got back from 1000 mile trip and it's just horrible. And like someone else said, you don't really notice how bad it is until a longer road trip. Alignment isn't going to correct excessive play in steering. I'm going to push for a new steering box and hope that resolves it. Much worse than my jk. I don't want to even drive it anymore on anymore road trips until it gets resolved.

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[Rhinebeck01]

@smuddy What tire pressures are you running on your JLU?

 

[smuddy]

@smuddy What tire pressures are you running on your JLU?

32-34 cold... Gets up to about 35-36 after warming up.

 

[hdtrader]

I’m experiencing the same steering issues with my 2018 Sahara. I’m hoping there is a fix for this issue. We've owned several wranglers in the past so I know this is a new problem with the JL. Please let me know if you get a resolution.

Hi TNgirl...the dealer just finished replacing the Steering Gear Box today on my 2018 JLU Rubicon (1500 miles) and it solved the problem with the steering 100%. I can now drive it without worrying about the police following me and arresting me for being under the influence...lol. The replacement steering gear box was the problem. I also have an excellent dealer...they worked with me and also gave me a loaner while it was being repaired. I suggest you talk to your dealer's service manager about it...regardless of what some people and service writers say...Jeeps are designed to steer and drive like any other vehicle. I can see if one is lifted and running 37's that it may dart, drift, or wander some. Good luck in getting yours corrected...I hope my next visit to the dealer is for the free service and tire rotation.

Randy
2018 JLUR in Granite
North Alabama

 

[smuddy]

Hi TNgirl...the dealer just finished replacing the Steering Gear Box today on my 2018 JLU Rubicon (1500 miles) and it solved the problem with the steering 100%. I can now drive it without worrying about the police following me and arresting me for being under the influence...lol. The replacement steering gear box was the problem. I also have an excellent dealer...they worked with me and also gave me a loaner while it was being repaired. I suggest you talk to your dealer's service manager about it...regardless of what some people and service writers say...Jeeps are designed to steer and drive like any other vehicle. I can see if one is lifted and running 37's that it may dart, drift, or wander some. Good luck in getting yours corrected...I hope my next visit to the dealer is for the free service and tire rotation.

Randy
2018 JLUR in Granite
North Alabama

This is GREAT news!

 

[digitalbliss]

Hi TNgirl...the dealer just finished replacing the Steering Gear Box today on my 2018 JLU Rubicon (1500 miles) and it solved the problem with the steering 100%. I can now drive it without worrying about the police following me and arresting me for being under the influence...lol. The replacement steering gear box was the problem. I also have an excellent dealer...they worked with me and also gave me a loaner while it was being repaired. I suggest you talk to your dealer's service manager about it...regardless of what some people and service writers say...Jeeps are designed to steer and drive like any other vehicle. I can see if one is lifted and running 37's that it may dart, drift, or wander some. Good luck in getting yours corrected...I hope my next visit to the dealer is for the free service and tire rotation.

Randy
2018 JLUR in Granite
North Alabama

Hey Randy, what part of NA? What dealer do you use?

Thanks!

 

[hdtrader]

Hey Randy, what part of NA? What dealer do you use?

Thanks!

RTR! I live in Huntsville and Landers McLarty is my dealer...what about you?

 

[digitalbliss]

RTR! I live in Huntsville and Landers McLarty is my dealer...what about you?

I'm in Decatur but I bought mine from Superior in Conway, Arkansas. I'll use Champion when I need service but it's good to know Landers is good to work with if needed. We bought our Outback from their Subaru dealership. RTR!

 

[TNgirl]

Hi TNgirl...the dealer just finished replacing the Steering Gear Box today on my 2018 JLU Rubicon (1500 miles) and it solved the problem with the steering 100%. I can now drive it without worrying about the police following me and arresting me for being under the influence...lol. The replacement steering gear box was the problem. I also have an excellent dealer...they worked with me and also gave me a loaner while it was being repaired. I suggest you talk to your dealer's service manager about it...regardless of what some people and service writers say...Jeeps are designed to steer and drive like any other vehicle. I can see if one is lifted and running 37's that it may dart, drift, or wander some. Good luck in getting yours corrected...I hope my next visit to the dealer is for the free service and tire rotation.

Randy
2018 JLUR in Granite
North Alabama

Thank you so much for your reply!! I’m going to check in to this fix.

 

[sacourtney07]

If you are willing to try it, you can adjust the steering box. It is under the air intake hose and has a lock nut with an Allen wrench adjuster screw. Loosen the lock nut then (while holding the lock nut in place) turn the Allen adjustment screw about 1/8 turns clockwise. There are factory markings so you know the original set point. Then tighten the lock nut back down and notice if your adjuster screw marking is about 1/8 then past it’s original point to double check.

It is possible to get to the top without any wratchet extensions. You need to stick your arm down past the air intake hose. Some people say this is a bad idea so do your research and watch videos on YouTube.

It worked for me.

 

[SledgeHammer]

Bought a 2018 JL Unlimited Sport last week. Running on stock Bridgestone Dueler AT's 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".

 

[Blammmo_]

Subscribed, my new rubicon has a bit of play at highway speeds, may eventually make an appointment at the dealership

 

[JeepCares]

Subscribed, my new rubicon has a bit of play at highway speeds, may eventually make an appointment at the dealership

Hi Blammmo_,
We would be more than happy to offer our assistance if you choose to bring your vehicle in. Just send us a private message.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[JCNBA-Adventures]

I am having the same problem. My wife and I just picked up our brand new Jeep JLU Sahara yesterday with 5 miles on clock. We were so excited to have our new JL we drove to the beach for the day. The drive there and home was soo challenging, we both constantly felt like we needed to be correcting the wheel to keep the Jeep in the lane. This was a 200 mile round trip drive and was horrible, before buying we test drove 3 other JLU and they did not have steering issues like ours. In 3 weeks we are driving cross country and instead of being excited we are dreading it.

What are my options? We already dropped the tire pressure to 36 psi and it didn’t help.

 

[smuddy]

I am having the same problem. My wife and I just picked up our brand new Jeep JLU Sahara yesterday with 5 miles on clock. We were so excited to have our new JL we drove to the beach for the day. The drive there and home was soo challenging, we both constantly felt like we needed to be correcting the wheel to keep the Jeep in the lane. This was a 200 mile round trip drive and was horrible, before buying we test drove 3 other JLU and they did not have steering issues like ours. In 3 weeks we are driving cross country and instead of being excited we are dreading it.

What are my options? We already dropped the tire pressure to 36 psi and it didn’t help.

Sounds like trip to the dealer and push for steering gear box replacement. I have my appt this Wednesday. I'm not going to accept anything else. Excessive play in steering isn't acceptable!

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