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Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

Dkretden

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Now here is video 2 for tonight. Here is where things get really weird. Number 1 and most important, I am for sure I have a "looser" steering box than others. But I am waiting for a AE before I have my service manager change the steering box.

Back going back to day 1 with all of my issues, I thought everything was to blame on a loose steering box. Then we found from other members the loose ball joints and then the faulty steering stabilizer.

When I had the dealer tighten all ball joint nuts we then proceeded with him giving me the green light to experiment with the steering box adjuster. I didn't know at that time the young tech he had do this, never torqued the loose upper joint nuts. This was later found months later after checking the cotter pins. At this time FCA hadn't released any steering related information. We could only go by information from other members and then by Brandon at Jeep Informant. 1/8 was nice and then 1/4 felt great. But anything over 1/4 the steering got tight in the mornings so 1/4 it was. No one ever imagined the steering stabilizers were junk from the get go and after having mine replaced my steering got tighter. It was more noticeable at highway speeds over 70ish. And it wasn't a good feeling. Almost like seized up king pins on a big truck.

And for several months and thousands of miles I have been playing through my head all of the steering components we had issues with. Could the steering stabilizer, ball joints, loose tie rod ends, could all of this been the main cause of my white knuckle steering when I first got my JL.

So today I went and adjusted my steering box back to the factory setting. And I was quite surprised how it drove.

Here is a video. Of course you feel some looseness in the box, but man I wish it drove like this day 1 when I got it off the truck.

So, it looks like you have fixed it?
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JeepCares

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Dropped off today with this note. Iā€™m not trying to be a jerk to these people, but the ā€œitā€™s not supposed to drive at 70mphā€ answer they gave really didnā€™t sit well with me.

Attn <redacted>,

Although the tech that drove with me seemed to believe that the looseness and shimmy I was feeling in the steering was normal, Iā€™ve found countless examples online that show it is not. Iā€™m not satisfied with the answer that ā€œRubicons are not intended to drive over 70mphā€ as the answer to why it wanders, needs constant correction, and requires excessive input before engaging the steering.

The shimmy that I am feeling over bumps is also getting worse and I am concerned that the problems with the steering are causing the dampener to prematurely fail.

I do not feel this vehicle is safe to drive.

I found the attached TSBs that I would like you to perform before I pick the vehicle back up.

  1. Replace the track bar with the newest track bar model in accordance with the Star report
  2. Inspect and replace dampener in accordance with the Star report
  3. Fully inspect and re-torque all steering components
  4. Perform the ā€œover center rotating torqueā€ test on the steering gear box and replace if appropriate in accordance with the star report
  5. Perform a complete alignment in accordance to the Star report, optimizing toe for the positive end of the specification.
I appreciate your help.

Thanks,

ā€”ā€”


Will see how this plays out. Iā€™m expecting sugar in the gas tank.
Hi eightamrock,
We are more than happy to assist with this process. Please send us a private message so we can have a case escalated in your behalf.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

HiJinx69

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I just picked up my Jeep. They ordered the upper drag link, but did not order the new track bar. The technician did not notice any movement. I said I can show them my video, but said they couldn't do anything, tried to convince me that it was normal. They checked all the torque specs, did not check toe-in! The technician was not at work so I could not discuss it with him.

I sent PM to JeepCares with my video. We shall see.
 

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eightamrock

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Has Jeep Cares ever actually convinced anyone to help us with poor steering ? Please keep us informed eightamrock.
Will do, I have not sent them a note yet. After I dropped off my car with the dealership and a rather serious note that "my car isnt supposed to do 70 MPH" is an unacceptable answer to my problems, they decided that it was time to replace the track bar and go through the appropriate TSBs. Im waiting to see if they deliver on the fixes.
 

californiajeeping

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I just realized why we get so few "jeep waves" when driving by jeeps and even other jls! My wife actually pointed it out.

So many driving the JLs have to keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel due to the poor steering, so they have not been waving at other Jeep when they drove by. Now whenever another Jeep comes by it seems the JL owner is stuck up and is not going to wave an ignores them. However we know it's not that JL owners are stuck up, it's that were holding on for dear life trying to keep our jeeps between the white lines. CJ owners should understand!
Yup, you hit the nail on the head.

humor.jpg
 

Cypher

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Yup, you hit the nail on the head.

humor.jpg
This wins best post of the day! My wife also laughed as we are figthifi the jeep and the wind on our 1500 mile trip back home. This is so true in many levels.

I may borrow this for twitter if you don't mind.

My FCA executive management response person was unable to get the shipping arrangements made so we are white knuckling it home. 5314 miles on it as of now. We are in New Mexico so getting close. At this point, I may just try for lifetime warranty, and get confirmation that I can replace the faulty parts on my own without risk of voiding warranty on ateerste box etc. I dont want to deal with bad joints every few thousand miles. A good aftermarket setup should last for my usage. I figure a warranty and letter would be easier than a lemon law buyback as we have already met that criteria. I actually still like the JLUR, and if I can get the extended warranty I think I would be ok keeping it. (Really don't want to order another etc. Too many parts already bought ama paid for etc. Too much hassle amd wasted time to order again.) AZ prime off-road time is too close.
 

chadc880

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Another Update after going back to factory setting on the steering box.

I am so amazed at how easier my JL steers with the steering box back to factory setting. I know I know this sounds insane. But think about it. Adjusting the steering adjuster on the new steering boxes only provided resistance to mask the real issues causing the loose steering. In many ways I carefully say loose steering. It should be put, My JL busted plain sucked to drive. The white knuckle of all vehicles. But again look what I had issues with. Loose steering components, ball joint nuts, tie rod end nuts, and ect. And I am waiting for a new trackbar to arrive at my dealer. I think this will make a difference as well.

And I really think the biggest factor is these damn steering stabilizers that were faulty right from the factory. You can't tell me a dead stabilizer isn't going to make the steering looser.

Now big big big disclaimer. My steering box still has 1/2" or less maybe 1/4" dead spot. I tried to get a video of the dead spot but you have to feel it in person rather than try and see it in a video. And excuse my brief back to 90's moment on xm radio.

The day I brought my JL home, it was like driving an old tractor. I hated it. Now it really is very very close to normal. I think the trackbar will make a difference. And in the future like I stated in my previous post, whenever the AE steering box comes out, then I will have mine swapped out.

 

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catdaddy63

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An update on my JLUR. The updated AD steering box and new trackbar were installed today, and they also set the tow to max allowable spec and I have to say wow! It's noticeably better than it was, I'm no longer herding it down the road. The dead spot is virtually gone and the response is very good and smooth to small inputs and corrections. The more I drive it the better it feels. I'd call it 90% of what it should be and if they ever come out with the flash for the EPS unit to reduce the assist, I think that will get me even closer. The only part we didn't swap was the updated drag link and I don't think it's necessary for my Jeep. They did pump up the tires to 41 psi so that will get lowered back to 34-35 this weekend.
 

californiajeeping

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An update on my JLUR. The updated AD steering box and new trackbar were installed today, and they also set the tow to max allowable spec and I have to say wow! It's noticeably better than it was, I'm no longer herding it down the road. The dead spot is virtually gone and the response is very good and smooth to small inputs and corrections. The more I drive it the better it feels. I'd call it 90% of what it should be and if they ever come out with the flash for the EPS unit to reduce the assist, I think that will get me even closer. The only part we didn't swap was the updated drag link and I don't think it's necessary for my Jeep. They did pump up the tires to 41 psi so that will get lowered back to 34-35 this weekend.
You should add the falcon 2.2 adjustable steering stabilizer. You can then try the soft, med, and firm settings to get from 90% to 100%.
 

Matt2036

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You should add the falcon 2.2 adjustable steering stabilizer. You can then try the soft, med, and firm settings to get from 90% to 100%.
I just installed the rough country stabilizer bar on my JL and it works beautifully. Truck drivers super stable and straight down the road with 33ā€™s on it with no problem.
 

Freakshow

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eightamrock and californiajeeping as well as others input to this issue. When I took my jeep '18 JLUR in for re-torque of wheels and lift check at 500 miles, I asked them to check alignment/steering and they said "alls good!". Of course at that time I was not a JL forum member. I, like many others, assumed this was a "jeep" and simply different. I've had 4x4 trucks all my life, and they all drove better than this brand new $XX JL ( i too have had some puckering moments driving down the highway!) I currently have a 2001 F250 with an older 8" lift and 37's that drivers better. So thank you for all the info to arm myself and I can be ready to take back into them and say.... Drive it, this is not normal!! and here are the things I expect you to check. We shouldn't need to be shut down by the dealers who are not being informed themselves, and we as the consumers being made to feel we don't know what we are talking about. I know its not a sports car!! and it's a "trail rated off road vehicle" but!!, it's a licensed vehicle for going down the public highways! I shouldn't be more worried about doing 70mph (which I can do here legally) than it's abilities to go off road!!

OK, my rant is done.... for now! Thanks again everyone! (oh, and of course I've already put the falcon 2.2 steering stabilizer on, which didn't really seem to help much)
 
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Jaym

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For me, the Falcon stopped the wobble post bumps but the steering just feels like thereā€™s too much play. Iā€™m really beginning to think this is the way these steering boxes are designed.
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