Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[guichjeep]

Hidden in one of Trump executive orders
'nhtsa' all recalls at the bequest of the manufacture. No longer mandatory by the nhtsa. Good luck with a fix!!

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[callerys]

I heard the best way to get rid of the wondering is to change your LCAs to an aftermarket one so you change your caster angle on the Rubicons. I had loose steering in mine and the dealership replaced my steering box and that helped, but now it seems to wonder more. I will be changing mine when I get the chance.

I am going to try the 2" mopar lift LCA's. Just frustrated that I should have to fix the caster on something that should be right from the factory. I honestly feel like these vehicles are so fragile. I have my CJ7 and know that I can beat the crap out of it and it still runs and drives.

 

[offrampclimber]

I'd just dropped it off at dealer. They're willing to work with me, but still said it's a Jeep thing. So driving to dealer, I notice if you turn steering 2 or 3 degrees right or left, it just stays in that input after you release steering wheel. Does Not Return to center. So I'm in a loaner compass, I try the same thing, turn it 2/3 degrees feeling much pressure, let go and instantly it jumps back to center. If the steering was half as good as the compass, I'd be thrilled, I realize these are two completely different vehicles and steering, but the Jeep doesn't even try to correct. In aviation they would call this neutral or negative stability, not positive. I think it needs a little more positive stability. Hope they can help me out.

This is also mostly what I'm experiencing; the steering wheel just won't return to center on its own, and there's no pressure or feedback within about 5 degrees of center when traveling in a straight line. I haven't taken mine to the dealer for this issue yet, so keep us informed of what the results are.

I have noticed that the angle of the tie rod on its links does have an effect on overall steering feel, however. I was trying to adjust the toe-in angle myself, but couldn't get the cuff to move. The entire rod did angle back as I was trying to adjust it, though, and the steering has a tighter feel than before, except for on-center and returning to center.

 

[Holymoly1963]

Good luck. I got the new trackbar and it still wanders.

I really haven't had a wandering problem other than the one caused by the fact that I have so much play in my steering... about 3 inches. Time will tell.

 

[FedeF]

I have play in the steering since day one. Needless to say that the dealer says it is normal.
I have installed Rubi springs on my Sahara and added the LCA from the mopar 2”. It has been a great improvement on drivability! The play is still there, but it is less noticeable because the Jeep doesn’t tend to go were it wants at all times!
Will wait for a play fix.
I highly recommend the LCA from the mopar 2” lift!

 

[Cypher]

Received an interesting call today, apparently the regional FCA tech rep decided to authorize an aftermarket HD Fox stabilizer instead of waiting for the new redesigned Mopar one that is due next week. Originally they said I had to wait until next week, then all the sudden put on the Fox.

It seems to handle bumps better, but now seems to have a constant pull to the right. Turning the wheel to the right is easy, and seems to have more resistance to the left. Hopefully it will settle down with use. Wife is going on a road trip Friday, so will see how it does on the highway.

 

[Ameza]

Hi Markham,
We understand your frustration. Please send us a private message and we would be happy to look into this for you!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Hi WANDRR,
We are happy to hear you had the opportunity to have your dealer address this steering concern. If you would like some additional assistance while your Jeep is at the dealer, please send our team a private message!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Hey WANDRR, I'm in exactly the same boat as you. Have all of 500 miles on my JLUS and I'm all over the road! Unsafe and scary! I've had 3 wranglers before, still own a 93 YJ and it handles better that my 2019 Sahara. Two questions, How do I PM jeep cares, and how do I contact NHTSA?

 

[Cypher]

In case the new replacement OEM steering stabilizer has the same affect on your steering and if your 'stabilizer is too firm' theory is correct:

JL Steering Stabilizers

• Falcon 2.2: 400 PSI (no info on soft, medium, firm changes to PSI) They said the soft setting is the closest to the Mopar OEM.
• Fox Performance Series 2.0 Smooth Body IFP Stabilizer - 985-24-173 50PSI (Some have reported this one is pulling to one side).
• Fox Factory Race Series 2.0 ATS Stabilizer - 983-02-148 200 PSI
• Fox Performance Series 2.0 TS Stabilizer - 985-02-127 unknown new
• King Steering Stabilizer: 80 PSI
• RC: 200 PSI (JL and JK same 200 PSI but the JK doesn't have electronic steering assist like the JL does)
• Mopar OEM: PSI unknown

I just had the Fox 985-24-173 installed as the new stabilizer is not in yet and the regional rep told the dealer to install the Fox one. Mine pulls to the right now. It is also installed opposite of all others I have seen with the shaft at the tie rod end instead of the main body. Not sure if that is the cause, or just another symptom of a poor dealership not following instructions. Either way it has a massive pull ay swap it myself to be the right way to see if that helps.

 

[Cypher]

I just had the Fox 985-24-173 installed as the new stabilizer is not in yet and the regional rep told the dealer to install the Fox one. Mine pulls to the right now. It is also installed opposite of all others I have seen with the shaft at the tie rod end instead of the main body. Not sure if that is the cause, or just another symptom of a poor dealership not following instructions. Either way it has a massive pull ay swap it myself to be the right way to see if that helps.

I could not wait until tomorrow, or deal with another dealership visit so I decided to swap the stabilizer around to match how the factory was installed, and all online pictures show the Fox. Night and day difference, no more pull to the right at all. Also noticed the bolt on the tie rod side was only hand tight. That could have also caused some issues. Now I know it is on the right way and all bolts are torqued to spec. My wife thought I was crazy going out at 12am to work on it, but it was really bothering me and I had to try. 20 min fix, and a 45min test drive was well worth it.

All that remains is the loose drag link end with play but at this point I am just going to go Yeti and be done. Will also do my own tire rotation.

 

[hdtrader]

I heard the best way to get rid of the wondering is to change your LCAs to an aftermarket one so you change your caster angle on the Rubicons. I had loose steering in mine and the dealership replaced my steering box and that helped, but now it seems to wonder more. I will be changing mine when I get the chance.

Sorry Guys...the only way to get rid of the JLU with steering issues is to trade it in for a used JK or a different type of vehicle! I bought the new JLU when they first hit the dealership showroom and it stayed in the shop longer than I owned it (over a month at the dealership) so I ended up trading (with the help of the dealership's owner) at no loss for a new Ram 1500 4x4. I've owned Jeeps since the mid seventies and traded a great driving lifted 10th Anniversary Rubicon JK in on the JLU...biggest mistake I ever made! The JLU is beautiful and has some great features...it was just unsafe to drive especially towing! I posted on this thread back on July 19, 2018 post 650...now there are over 3350 posts! Need I say more! I'm sure I will get some negative comments but so glad I was able to get out of my JL when I did! Hope FCA corrects this issue! I still own a '97 TJ but I do miss my JK...Good luck for all of you with steering issues!

 

[Cypher]

Sorry Guys...the only way to get rid of the JLU Steering problem is to trade it in for a used JK or a different type of vehicle! I bought the new JLU when they first hit the dealership showroom and it stayed in the shop longer than I owned it (over a month at the dealership) so I ended up trading (with the help of the dealership's owner) at no loss for a new Ram 1500 4x4. I've owned Jeeps since the mid seventies and traded a great driving lifted 10th Anniversary Rubicon JK in on the JLU...biggest mistake I ever made! The JLU is beautiful and has some great features...it was just unsafe to drive especially towing! I posted on this thread back on July 19, 2018 post 650...now there are over 3350 posts! Need I say more! I'm sure I will get some negative comments but so glad I was able to get out of my JL when I did! Hope FCA corrects this issue! I still own a '97 TJ but I do miss my JK...Good luck for all of you with steering issues!

I don't blame you. I bought mine in Feb and it has been in the shop well over 30 days. Mine however did not start out with steering issues, in fact for the first 2500 miles it was great. Then the parts got worn and all went to crap.

It is much better now but I just picked it up today. I plan to put another 2500 or, so miles to make sure it is fixed for good. Already have the ability for a buyback, but I am holding off to see if we can make this one right. If it has no more issues I am happy to keep it, but if it starts driving bad again then I will go through with the buyback process and most likely look at other options when available.

I don't think this is al doom and gloom, it seems many are getting fixed and FCA is working with people to make it right or buy back. No need for legal etc. just trying to keep customers happy. I plan to keep everyone updated as we put more miles on, and others seem to be doing the same. Sorry your experience could not be resolved. I know how frustrating that can be.

 

[Tejas]

Took it back to River Oaks Jeep. service manager was extremely nice, they jumped right on it, even gave me a rental. they had it for 2 day, said they found bolts on front suspension not properly torqued, re-torqued everything, feels 70% better when driving straight at highway speeds. the crazy wobble/shake when your going over a bump and turning above 45mph, that's still there though and he said they had a bulletin about that.

 

[JimmyDoom]

I don't blame you. I bought mine in Feb and it has been in the shop well over 30 days. Mine however did not start out with steering issues, in fact for the first 2500 miles it was great. Then the parts got worn and all went to crap.

It is much better now but I just picked it up today. I plan to put another 2500 or, so miles to make sure it is fixed for good. Already have the ability for a buyback, but I am holding off to see if we can make this one right. If it has no more issues I am happy to keep it, but if it starts driving bad again then I will go through with the buyback process and most likely look at other options when available.

I don't think this is al doom and gloom, it seems many are getting fixed and FCA is working with people to make it right or buy back. No need for legal etc. just trying to keep customers happy. I plan to keep everyone updated as we put more miles on, and others seem to be doing the same. Sorry your experience could not be resolved. I know how frustrating that can be.

The FCA and Jeepcares did crap for me. I was in contact with Jeepcares and nothing ever came from it. Fortunately, my dealership acknowledged how loose my steering box was, and took it upon themselves to replace it for me. Loose steering is better, but now it has the wondering problem, which I hear can be fixed with the longer Rubicon LCAs that Mopar has. I don't think Mopar will be issuing a recall on the LCA so I have to spend money on after market parts like I did with my Falcon stabilizer. It's sad that they are letting everyone deal with this issue and essentially forcing us to spend more money to fix a 50k vehicle

 

[JeepCares]

Hey WANDRR, I'm in exactly the same boat as you. Have all of 500 miles on my JLUS and I'm all over the road! Unsafe and scary! I've had 3 wranglers before, still own a 93 YJ and it handles better that my 2019 Sahara. Two questions, How do I PM jeep cares, and how do I contact NHTSA?

Hi Ameza,
I have sent you a private message, and I look forward to assisting you!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Took it back to River Oaks Jeep. service manager was extremely nice, they jumped right on it, even gave me a rental. they had it for 2 day, said they found bolts on front suspension not properly torqued, re-torqued everything, feels 70% better when driving straight at highway speeds. the crazy wobble/shake when your going over a bump and turning above 45mph, that's still there though and he said they had a bulletin about that.

Hi Tejas,
We are happy to hear your dealer has been helpful! If you should need any additional assistance while your JL is at the dealer, please send our team a private message!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Command Line RC]

To soon??? Wow what a low blow!

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