Loose steering feels like it has play and drifts

[JeepRider10]

All of my drifting and wandering is gone after an alignment Monday. Toe was not in spec from the factory (my Jeep is stock). So far I’ve had the track bar replaced, V41 recall, tightened all steering components and tweaked the steering box set screw. Drives perfect now.

Do you know what the spec is for the toe? Or does anybody know where I can find the alignment specs? I had a dealership say they adjusted the toe and it made a significant difference on the wandering, however no spec was provided. Last week I took it in and asked them to swap the steering gear box to the AE version. They would not as there is no recall. However they took it upon themselves to realign the front end. I believe they used an older spec as it is now wandering again and very suseptable to variations in the crown on the road. I just need the specs and I will pay for an alignment. Getting any information from a jeep dealership is absolutely ridiculous.

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[jeepfan30]

Here is my alignment from last week. Specs are listed in small print in the left and right corner of each measurement.

This is off my completely stock JLUR.

 

[RightOnQ]

Has your dealer checked your alignment? Proper caster and toe make a difference.

Good luck!

Yes, my dealer has checked the alignment and caster and theoretically torqued everything down (although I haven't checked the cotter pins yet to verify). However, that should only affect the wandering, right? My Jeep has less of an issue with wandering and more of an issue with the dead band in the steering. I feel like most of the wandering is caused by having to aggressively correct for the dead band.

It is my belief that the wide spread knowledge of this problem led Jeep to release the new AE steering box in late July, but that is just speculation. I am not a mechanic and cannot say for certain that the steering box is the issue with my Jeeps steering, but I AM a driver and can say for certain that there IS an issue. It may not be the steering box, and at the end of the day I don't really care. I just want the steering to be fixed and operate like any other car produced in the last 10 years, or more specifically, one of the many JL owners who report zero dead band in their steering and say it is as tight and responsive as any other car they have driven.

If it is true that the way my Jeep is handling in that video is how it was intended to handle, then it must also be true that the JL has the worst steering standard of any car produced in the last 10 years. Unacceptable. I love everything else about it and REALLY don't want to go down the buy back road, but I'm not seeing a ton of other options...

 

[Rdmitch]

I know this is just repeating the obvious....but if the problem with wandering and dead band
we’re as basic as proper alignment and front end settings, wouldn’t Jeep have already issued a proper spec to its dealers ?
If that was the simple solution they would not be producing new dampers and steering boxes.

Also...why is this the only forum that seems to have any posts on steering issues ?

 

[VWE]

Yes, my dealer has checked the alignment and caster and theoretically torqued everything down (although I haven't checked the cotter pins yet to verify). However, that should only affect the wandering, right? My Jeep has less of an issue with wandering and more of an issue with the dead band in the steering. I feel like most of the wandering is caused by having to aggressively correct for the dead band.

I am not a mechanic and cannot say for certain that the steering box is the issue with my Jeeps steering, but I AM a driver and can say for certain that there IS an issue. It may not be the steering box, and at the end of the day I don't really care. I just want the steering to be fixed and operate

I have “dead band” like the Jeep in the video, maybe even worse. It tracks straight and no wobble, but coming down I70 even below the speed limit is a butt clinching experience. I had the V41 done and it did nothing as I don’t think vibration is the problem. The drag link isn’t great and needs to be better (esp with factory M/Ts) but that’s an issue mainly at slower speeds. The idea of loose linkages and alignment may contribute to the problem. But the absolute problem is in the steering box. The steering goes from nothing in the first 2” to full-on power steering causing constant over-corrections. The wheel doesn’t shake, it tracks straight, and it’s very responsive once the power steering kicks in. All Jeep needs to do is figure out how to remove the slop. It shouldnt be that hard!

I have experience with every model Wrangler and Grand Cherokee for atleast the last 25 years plus full-size solid axle trucks. How is the latest and greatest JLUR the worst of the bunch? It doesn’t make sense. Worse yet is having to deal with the dealership as they are often clueless about the vehicle in general or what would be uncharacteristic steering. If Jeep would put as much effort into fixing the problem as they do being passive aggressive customer service, maybe this could be resolved.

\rant

\inb4 “sorry you experienced this” canned Jeep “Cares” response.

 

[Rdmitch]

Does anyone have any documentation that reflashing of the the new AE steering box
Is required ?

 

[powelld353]

Does anyone have any documentation that reflashing of the the new AE steering box
Is required ?

My work order says 181902DS Module, Body Control (BCM) - Reconfigure Module, Body Control (BCM) - Restore
Not sure if that's it. Mine is a 2 Door model.

 

[jmcdtucson]

Do you know what the spec is for the toe? Or does anybody know where I can find the alignment specs? I had a dealership say they adjusted the toe and it made a significant difference on the wandering, however no spec was provided. Last week I took it in and asked them to swap the steering gear box to the AE version. They would not as there is no recall. However they took it upon themselves to realign the front end. I believe they used an older spec as it is now wandering again and very suseptable to variations in the crown on the road. I just need the specs and I will pay for an alignment. Getting any information from a jeep dealership is absolutely ridiculous.

.2 +- .2 is the toe spec. Most people are recommending going toward the top of the range. .34 to .4.
Toe is the only adjustment on this Jeep. Caster is fixed because the LCAs are not adjustable.

 

[tk2fast]

.2 +- .2 is the toe spec. Most people are recommending going toward the top of the range. .34 to .4.
Toe is the only adjustment on this Jeep. Caster is fixed because the LCAs are not adjustable.

Yes. FCA Help Desk to the dealer techs now recommends a total toe of 0.34 +

 

[TopsOff]

It isn't any different on the 20'. I test drove multiple 20's over the past week and even selected the VIN that I thought was the better example. The AE box isn't the answer either I hate to say - so if you think it's going to solve the issue, don't get your hopes up. I've noticed so far that the more weight towards the rear of the vehicle - it gets worse. I also noticed that although my new JLU tracks better than the others I drove at highway speed - it's worse at lower speeds. My wheel doesn't self center below 30. If I correct to the right and let go - the wheel stays deflected.

Dealer tire pressures were around 42psi. I'm at 37 now in the front and honestly didn't see any difference going from 42 to the 37.

My plan is to increase caster - but I don't think that is possible without going to the longer LCA from MOPAR or an adjustable aftermarket.

 

[camptown708]

It isn't any different on the 20'. I test drove multiple 20's over the past week and even selected the VIN that I thought was the better example. The AE box isn't the answer either I hate to say - so if you think it's going to solve the issue, don't get your hopes up. I've noticed so far that the more weight towards the rear of the vehicle - it gets worse. I also noticed that although my new JLU tracks better than the others I drove at highway speed - it's worse at lower speeds. My wheel doesn't self center below 30. If I correct to the right and let go - the wheel stays deflected.

Dealer tire pressures were around 42psi. I'm at 37 now in the front and honestly didn't see any difference going from 42 to the 37.

My plan is to increase caster - but I don't think that is possible without going to the longer LCA from MOPAR or an adjustable aftermarket.

I have experienced the same thing -- the more weight in the back, the worse the wandering gets (passengers in second row and gear in back).

My JLUR has Mopar lift kit control arms and a caster of about 7 based on a recent alignment. Total toe has been set to .34 as per FCA spec. My steering box is an AD, but i "only" have about half an inch of play. This is not ideal, but i feel the wandering is the bigger issue for me.

What would cause increased wandering with more weight in back? Does the caster angle change that much with passengers in the rear?

 

[Rdmitch]

The variables are mind boggling and we can try to make sense of this forever and never reach consensus.

Caster, toe, tire pressure, steering box, weight, dampers, tires we try everything. Maybe some Cannabis oil would help, they say it cures everything !
I stopped to visit my jeep at its stay at the Jeep hospital today and Dr. Advisor said they need to call in a specialist. So FCA requested that Dr. TA comes to Cleveland and sprinkles some magic powder and holy water on my Jeep. He's a busy guy so we don't know when his schedule allows him to come see us. Maybe the next few days...maybe next week. Might have to replace the front end. Makes me wonder......does all these service visits pop up on our CarFax reports ? if they do, we sure can see our collective resales going down the toilet.

So back into the striped down Cherokee (with no spare) I go on my merry way.

And huge thanks for all that share this info since every idea is like a little ray of hope. No sarcasm on this statement..the rest, maybe a little

 

[sean.yao]

Well, just took delivery of my 2020 2 door sports yesterday (left factory ~4 days ago). The issue is still there. About 5-10 degree play at the center. Better than the 2018 model as I tested tho.
Let's see if an alignment check helps.

 

[NCPolock]

Dropped my Rubicon off at the dealership today for the steering deadspot/slop. The technician did ride with me but I'm not encouraged by the fact he said they haven't really dealt with any steering issues and he was already starting to state on the drive that loose steering @ highway speeds are by design.

 

[Rdmitch]

Dropped my Rubicon off at the dealership today for the steering deadspot/slop. The technician did ride with me but I'm not encouraged by the fact he said they haven't really dealt with any steering issues and he was already starting to state on the drive that loose steering @ highway speeds are by design.

I’m probably misquoting the service advisor I spoke to a long time ago when we first started talking about funky steering, but I remember something about at 50 mph after like 700 feet of travel a Jeep is supposed to go a bit to the right (maybe left). To me that made no sense at all but was some trivial fact I think I remember.

Them saying they haven’t dealt with it sounds like a standard line they are supposed to say. I tend to think they know a whole lot more than they care to volunteer.

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