Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[Saejin]

Here is my update. I have been following these threads like a hawk. I don't have the opportunity to leave my JLU Sahara with the dealer for a period of time since this is my daily driver / business travel vehicle. (Photographer, Videographer). I drive 500 + miles a week. Trust me when I say its a real PINA!! I did make a video of my issue and met with the service manager yesterday. He did say he had never heard of the problem but also researched what he could on his end through FCA and could not find anything. I nicely told him my research for hours and the threads. He said he is more than willing to go into this with me and will be adjusting the steering box adjuster per my request on Monday. He wants to be there when it happens. He wants to test drive before and after. A side note, I can tell the play with the Jeep parked not running. There is clearly not input to the front wheels for an inch or two. Two weeks ago the dealer had a Sahara in the showroom and the same thing, same play. This past Friday they changed it out with a Rubicon and that steering is tight as a whistle. No play what so ever. So I will let you guys know.

Good observation. When you say the Rubicon steering is tight is that when it was on the showroom floor and not running of course. And by tight do you mean when you attempt to turn the wheel it doesn’t move or it moves the front wheels.

On mine when it’s running if I turn the steering wheel, the front wheels move slightly after about a half inch of movement. It drifts a bit on the highway, but not enough to scare me or where I have difficulty staying in the lane. I can drive 70+ with one hand. Also, my jeepntakes some effort to return to center after a slow right or left turn...it will go, but sometimes I have to help it along.

I’m happy with my steering, but if you say the rubicon on the showroom floor has tight steering where any input moves the wheels is like to get to that end state.

Thx

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[Diaz27]

I got my JLUR last week, and the 250 mile ride home was terrible. I swayed from lane to lane the entire ride home. Thinking because its a large vehicle, and the winds were strong, I paid no mind. But driving everyday to work and home I've noticed that my steering keeps pulling to the right. I was upset how I just bought this car and already I'm having problems. Tomorrow I will be lowering the tire pressure from 42 to 32.

 

[JeepCares]

Here is my update. I have been following these threads like a hawk. I don't have the opportunity to leave my JLU Sahara with the dealer for a period of time since this is my daily driver / business travel vehicle. (Photographer, Videographer). I drive 500 + miles a week. Trust me when I say its a real PINA!! I did make a video of my issue and met with the service manager yesterday. He did say he had never heard of the problem but also researched what he could on his end through FCA and could not find anything. I nicely told him my research for hours and the threads. He said he is more than willing to go into this with me and will be adjusting the steering box adjuster per my request on Monday. He wants to be there when it happens. He wants to test drive before and after. A side note, I can tell the play with the Jeep parked not running. There is clearly not input to the front wheels for an inch or two. Two weeks ago the dealer had a Sahara in the showroom and the same thing, same play. This past Friday they changed it out with a Rubicon and that steering is tight as a whistle. No play what so ever. So I will let you guys know.

I got my JLUR last week, and the 250 mile ride home was terrible. I swayed from lane to lane the entire ride home. Thinking because its a large vehicle, and the winds were strong, I paid no mind. But driving everyday to work and home I've noticed that my steering keeps pulling to the right. I was upset how I just bought this car and already I'm having problems. Tomorrow I will be lowering the tire pressure from 42 to 32.

Hello chadc880 and Diaz27,
We would like to make sure we offer our assistance in this. Please send us a private message with additional details if you have not already.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Goin2drt]

Anyone post a video of what this looks like while driving down the road? I feel like mine does this but then I don’t know if it because it is just so big and catches the wind more.

 

[Holymoly1963]

Anyone post a video of what this looks like while driving down the road? I feel like mine does this but then I don’t know if it because it is just so big and catches the wind more.

Check post 560 on page 38.

 

[IPSCOJL]

Anyone post a video of what this looks like while driving down the road? I feel like mine does this but then I don’t know if it because it is just so big and catches the wind more.

 

[WranglerMan]

Dealer responded the bigger tires are what cause the steering to be finicky. He said I’ll get used to it over time. Unacceptable...going to shake a few more trees and see what I can get.

Anyone see any issue trying to run 30psi? Besides a hit to MPG, the K02s should be fine that low...

Hope FCA has a fix soon. Love the car too much to let it go.

The Dealer Service folks better not tell me that I’ll get used to it, that is a totally unacceptable response, I wonder if say you were involved in an acccident after them telling you that and have the vehicle checked by an independent repair alignment shop and them to find a serious design flaw that would be a class action suit I’m thinking.

I sold off a 2018 Jeep Compass that had issues to get the Wrangler I originally wanted and now am dealing with steering drift and wheel not centering going straight along with having lots of slop in the steering, it was bad when the tires were inflated to 45 when I purchased it and once I lowered the pressure it was better but still needs to be addressed so I have contacted @JeepCares and have my Dealer Service appt and better not get the typical “unable to verify customer concern at this time” as I will walk right back out the door and stop at the Service Managers desk to tell him I will return their loaner when it’s been fixed, we pay to much dam $$$ for these vehicles we drive for stuff like this to not be addressed.

I will report back what was found if they actually find something and I don’t want t hear it’s a Jeep thing

 

[3uPh0riK]

The Dealer Service folks better not tell me that I’ll get used to it, that is a totally unacceptable response, I wonder if say you were involved in an acccident after them telling you that and have the vehicle checked by an independent repair alignment shop and them to find a serious design flaw that would be a class action suit I’m thinking.

I sold off a 2018 Jeep Compass that had issues to get the Wrangler I originally wanted and now am dealing with steering drift and wheel not centering going straight along with having lots of slop in the steering, it was bad when the tires were inflated to 45 when I purchased it and once I lowered the pressure it was better but still needs to be addressed so I have contacted @JeepCares and have my Dealer Service appt and better not get the typical “unable to verify customer concern at this time” as I will walk right back out the door and stop at the Service Managers desk to tell him I will return their loaner when it’s been fixed, we pay to much dam $$$ for these vehicles we drive for stuff like this to not be addressed.

I will report back what was found if they actually find something and I don’t want t hear it’s a Jeep thing

I really admire you guys pushing so hard for this. I havnt pulled the trigger on taking her to the dealer yet, I know what they're going to say. Im still trying to understand if JeepCares involvement actually makes a difference with the dealer, I havnt seen anybody reporting that it has?

 

[schulah]

Chalk up another victim. I brought my 2018 JLUR home this past Wednesday and immediately noticed the steering was spooky. The best way I can describe it is it's like trying to drive a straight line through a few inches of snow - it requires a lot of corrections while trying to avoid over-corrections. Just to make sure I wasn't crazy, I had my wife take a drive without having mentioned the steering issue and sure enough, she came back with the same concerns. Having owned a Wrangler before, I can say with confidence that this is not a "Jeep/Wrangler thing." Tomorrow, it heads back to the dealer for service so I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on how that turns out. As most of you have already said, it's incredibly disappointing to have such a significant issue "right out of the box" and I sure hope they can solve this quick because otherwise, there's a lot to love about this Jeep!

 

[Clint Eastwood]

We bought a 2018 JLU Sahara about six weeks ago. It's my wifes dd and she hasn't really complained but every time I drive it, it bugs the crap out of me. Constant steering corrections to keep it in a straight line. It has just over 1000 miles and is bone stock. There's a cruise control issue and recall so it'll be going to the dealer soon. I'm definitely going to bring it up.

 

[olmectech]

Dropped my tire pressure down to 36 psi. Much better now. Just had it up to 85 mph.
Squirrely steering much improved. RC stabilizer on the way, then fox shocks.

 

[JHJLUR]

Same issue here, I’ve owned 7 Wranglers so I’m well aware it’s not normal.... I’ve got 6000 miles on mine, I’ve been waiting things out hoping for a fix to pop up, I’ll be having the dealer look at it next week.

 

[chadc880]

Ok back from the dealership with an update. The service manager first drove my JL and immediately notice the loose steering. He brought it back to the shop to adjust the adjustment screw and could not get the inner screw to budge what so ever. HE was afraid of stripping it. So he has ordered a new steering box. Interesting, I remember reading of someone else attempting the adjustment themselves and stripping out the screw. I am so glad I let the dealer deal with it.

I am going to send my information to Jeep Chat hoping they will assign a case manager and hopefully we will see a recall soon.

 

[TaiMc]

After speaking and consulting with multiple members on this forum about the constant steering issues that many have experienced, we thought a survey would be beneficial. If you have current steering issues (or if you had them and they were fixed by the dealer) please complete this survey:

https://goo.gl/forms/uWOyTgyqG6AnNdEY2

 

[WutRoad]

Glad you are getting a fix Chad. Interested to see if the new box cures it. I will say that my feelings for my dealer for completely blowing me off are rekindled!

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