My update to 2020 JLUR after upgrades in attempt to fix loose steering

[JeepCares]

My 2020 JLU Rubicon just got back from the dealer today after the 3rd time. Still no fix for my loose steering. Same as others reported from 11 to 1 o'clock complete dead spot. After insisting they at least check the alignment they found the caster on drivers side to be out of spec. They were advised to replace knuckle and ball joint. Parts were installed today and alignment is now back in spec but still no farther ahead with steering play. Dealer does not know what to do. I test drove a 2020 JLU Sahara before I left and it drives the exact same. All over the road. If anyone gets more answers that I am getting then please let me know. This is my 5th Jeep and so far it has been nothing but regret.

Hi Justin,
We're sorry to hear about your experience with your new JL. If you would like to be connected with a Case Specialist to work with you and your dealer, please send our team a PM.
Alex
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[05RUMBLE]

Hi Justin,
We're sorry to hear about your experience with your new JL. If you would like to be connected with a Case Specialist to work with you and your dealer, please send our team a PM.
Alex
JeepCares

I have a case started. They told me there was nothing wrong with the Jeep and to find another dealer if I was not happy.

 

[Mud Yapster]

My 2019 Wrangler Unlimited Sport has the same issue of wondering on the road. We now have approximately 1000 miles on it and I tell my wife this thing must be made for off road use only because it can't drive in a straight line with out constant correcting the steering wheel. It is scary at times so I feel all your concerns as I try to find a solution myself.
My question is why aren't the stealerships replacing the steering boxes if this is the issue. I understand they can get a bad batch of parts from the vendors so why aren't they replacing the steering boxes with a new one to see if that solves the issue???

 

[Aceman]

My 2019 Wrangler Unlimited Sport has the same issue of wondering on the road. We now have approximately 1000 miles on it and I tell my wife this thing must be made for off road use only because it can't drive in a straight line with out constant correcting the steering wheel. It is scary at times so I feel all your concerns as I try to find a solution myself.
My question is why aren't the stealerships replacing the steering boxes if this is the issue. I understand they can get a bad batch of parts from the vendors so why aren't they replacing the steering boxes with a new one to see if that solves the issue???

Good question. I think there are two possibilities.

1.) They really don't know how to fix the problem and instead of admitting that, which would be very embarrassing for them and make them liable for a recall, they're giving us the run around until they figure it out. Since the electronic assist is new, perhaps they haven't figured out how to tweak the software to reduce the lag in responsive time &/or haven't figured out how to program the software to either increase or decrease input values.

2.) The culprit is the steering box &/or intermediate shaft but they won't admit it because it is costly and time consuming to replace steering boxes for thousands of vehicles. And since there are no class-action lawsuits holding their feet to the fire (yet), they're gonna ignore it cuz it's all about the bottom line and shareholder returns not their customers.

 

[Aceman]

I have a case started. They told me there was nothing wrong with the Jeep and to find another dealer if I was not happy.

Welcome to the club. The next dealer and the next dealer will say the same thing. Stealerships are being told to say this because they don't have a remedy or they don't wanna rectify it because it's too costly for them.

 

[05RUMBLE]

Really annoying on a new Jeep. Mine went back in the shop last week and they still have it. They are installing the Mopar LCA and have agreed to try a new steering box in hopes we get a better adjusted one. I have test drove 5 JL's at this point. 2 drove fine the other 3 including mine have excessive play and take constant corrections of the wheel to keep in its lane. At this point we have 3x the km on our loaner then we do on our own new Jeep.

 

[slater dennis]

Ive had my JLUR since March 2018, been to 2 different dealerships a total of 5 times for this issue. Steering box replaced on the third try, didn't resolve the issue. Updated track bar didnt help and left my steering wheel off center. Dealer could not resolve the off center or the wandering steering and like other have mentioned they told me to try another dealer.

 

[word302]

Ive had my JLUR since March 2018, been to 2 different dealerships a total of 5 times for this issue. Steering box replaced on the third try, didn't resolve the issue. Updated track bar didnt help and left my steering wheel off center. Dealer could not resolve the off center or the wandering steering and like other have mentioned they told me to try another dealer.

If a dealership says they can't center your steering wheel I would run far away. You can easily do it yourself.

 

[Tony V]

I am waiting on the v41 part to come in. This is my 5th wrangler. 25k miles of unhappiness. The steering sucks. Dead spot from 11-1 while going 70. The damn JL tried to kill me wandering all over the road. Double fisting to stay in my lane. I look over and girl is her Tesla is double fisting her phone texting not even touching her wheel. I am going to do the adjustment on the box. Really hope it helps. At this point I don’t even care about the warranty. Just venting here.

Update time. Still waiting on my v41. I broke down and did the adjustment to the box. 3 three bolts to remove the air box and unclip a sensor line and you have easy access to the box. Bought a 20 buck propane torch to heat up the lock tight. 30 seconds of heat and it came loose. Tightened as recommended and backed of just a touch. Snugged it all back. All done in about half hour. Amazing!! Wheel is tight and light. This is all I ever wanted. I am able to drive with a hand on the knee and a couple fingers on the wheel. It tracks so well now. So to my dealers it was not because I put 35s. It is because the damn steering box is loose. Unreal

 

[Aceman]

Update time. Still waiting on my v41. I broke down and did the adjustment to the box. 3 three bolts to remove the air box and unclip a sensor line and you have easy access to the box. Bought a 20 buck propane torch to heat up the lock tight. 30 seconds of heat and it came loose. Tightened as recommended and backed of just a touch. Snugged it all back. All done in about half hour. Amazing!! Wheel is tight and light. This is all I ever wanted. I am able to drive with a hand on the knee and a couple fingers on the wheel. It tracks so well now. So to my dealers it was not because I put 35s. It is because the damn steering box is loose. Unreal[/QUOTE

When you were heating the nut, did you just apply heat straight down on the nut head and hex? Or did you apply heat all around the nut?

 

[Docjoe]

If a dealership says they can't center your steering wheel I would run far away. You can easily do it yourself.

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm 72 years old and on my 4th Jeep, and I can get under the Jeep and center the steering wheel. That's auto shop 101 for crying out loud!

 

[Docjoe]

We called out Mr. Manley for having STILL not properly addressing this very very critical issue. Simply revising the part numbers from AD to AE and still exhibiting dangerous steering characteristics is completely unacceptable to quite possibly borderline illegal. But I'll let attorneys decide that. I'm exiting stage left here......I didn't give FCA $61,000 to be miserable and fight with fellow forum members here.

Woodbridge. First, glad you're Jeep is steering better. Second, please (even if back channel) provide a little more detail in how you dealt with the loctite on the adjusting screw and what you did. Thanks, your comments have been very helpful and informative.

 

[Woodbridge]

Woodbridge. First, glad you're Jeep is steering better. Second, please (even if back channel) provide a little more detail in how you dealt with the loctite on the adjusting screw and what you did. Thanks, your comments have been very helpful and informative.

Hi Doc Joe,

See my other posts here at jlwrangler forums. Our loose steering is back. FCA is doing nothing to fix the vehicle because they and three of their dealers have said "we are not able to offer a repair as our engineers are working on this loose steering problem".....I had a dealer tell me to take our 2020 Rubicon home and park it!!! Thats when we retained legal counsel.

 

[Docjoe]

Update time. Still waiting on my v41. I broke down and did the adjustment to the box. 3 three bolts to remove the air box and unclip a sensor line and you have easy access to the box. Bought a 20 buck propane torch to heat up the lock tight. 30 seconds of heat and it came loose. Tightened as recommended and backed of just a touch. Snugged it all back. All done in about half hour. Amazing!! Wheel is tight and light. This is all I ever wanted. I am able to drive with a hand on the knee and a couple fingers on the wheel. It tracks so well now. So to my dealers it was not because I put 35s. It is because the damn steering box is loose. Unreal

Congratulation Tony V, great news!

 

[Docjoe]

Hi Doc Joe,

See my other posts here at jlwrangler forums. Our loose steering is back. FCA is doing nothing to fix the vehicle because they and three of their dealers have said "we are not able to offer a repair as our engineers are working on this loose steering problem".....I had a dealer tell me to take our 2020 Rubicon home and park it!!! Thats when we retained legal counsel.

Roger that. Sorry this happened to you, and sorry the your adjustment to the steering box didn't maintain. Bummer. Talk to your attorney about making you a 'lead plaintiff' in a class action. I think there are way more than a few hundred Jeepers adversely affected and financially harmed by this steering problem, and that is all it would take for a federal judge to approve this as a class action. Best of luck to you mi amigo. /Joe

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