(Not) another steering problem... Real Help needed !

[POL]

Hello,

First of all I want to say that I have read the topics related to steering problems, page by page, word by word for the last 3 years : no solution, and almost no problem like mine.

This is why I decided to create another topic, because almost no one talks about the problem I have.

I will try to sum up the information, because as you can imagine I need to sum up 3 years of investigations and expensive upgrades to solve the problem... that is still not solved yet.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T

- AEV Dualsport 2.5 package
- AEV front and rear bumper
- WARN ZEON 10S Winch
- AEV 17 wheels with 315/70 R17 KO2
- FOX ATS Stabilizer
-JKS Manufacturing JKSOGS123 Front HD Adjustable Track Bar 0-4.5" Lift

No problem from 2018 to 2022.
The steering wheel felt loose from day 1 with absolutely no precision but I used to drive it like that... The famous "it's a jeep thing".

SYMPTOMS :

With no changes on the Jeep, I started to feel a rough sensation in the steering wheel.
Not the common play.
Not a death wobble.

... but a rough sensation of a multitude of micr-plays in the steering wheel when changing direction and a "tick" feeling before normal boost.

It happens when the Jeep is moving or not (from 0 to 60mph+)
It happens mostly when the steering wheel is close to 0 degree position.
It happens when I change the sens of rotation fo my steering wheel rotation.
Even from 1 degree to correct the direction, and doing it slowly is worse than doing it in a quick movement.
Sometimes it drives fine for maybe 10 km and then suddenly start to do it. When it starts then it remains like that.



A member of this forum had a similar problem, I contacted him and he finished by selling the Jeep for another one because he never solved his problem.

Here a picture to illustrate

UPGRADES :

Here is the sum up of what has been changed and done in the chronological order by Jeep and 4X4 specialists :

- New (replacement) FOX ATS Stabilizer
- Installation of Synergy adjustable and reinforced tie rod e drag link
- TSB for the replacement of the Aluminium Steering box for the Steel one (replacement of the steering box)
-Try with other wheels and tires.
- Inspection of the play in the ball joints (but no replacement)
- SYNERGY Front track bar and sector shaft brace
- Replacement of the Steering Pump with a new one + Change of the fluid
- Change of the Software code for the steering pump with (70F) instead of the original one (Jeep did not do it...)
- Update last week of the full software

The only mechanical components that have not been changed seem to be the steering column assembly with the inner shaft.

Today the feeling of the steering is close to a normal "car" with a lot of precision and it is more stiff than smooth.

But the problem I have with the rough sensation in the hand of micro vibrations and "tick" remains the same.

My mechanic feels it too but does not know what to do next considering we have quite done everything possible.

I have tested an other Rubicon and feels normal.

Could it be caused by a defect in the Voltage of the pump ? Battery or AUX Battery related ?

@JeepCares if you can help it would be really appreciated.

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[ScotM]

You really have done a lot to try and solve the problem. This is me grasping at straws. So it could be mechanical, electrical or software. You have almost exhausted the mechanical. The one thing I would check would be the pitman arm and make sure there is nothing - defective- like a burr or something physical that is causing resistance in the diagram area you showed . As far as the other two causes they are above my pay grade- vibrations in the power steering pump? Good luck, and wish I had more to add.

 

[jc1003]

Replace your ball joints. Its 6 years old you need to change them. I changed them on our 2022 Wrangler and it drives so much better.

 

[jaymz]

I would disconnect the steering column at the gearbox and see if the problem persists. If it does, you know it's a problem with the steering column. Take extreme care not to turn the steering wheel more than about a 1/4 turn either direction to avoid damaging the clockspring.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Whats your caster at?

 

[POL]

Whats your caster at?

it has the AEV Caster correction brackets

 

[Dyolfknip74]

it has the AEV Caster correction brackets

Ok. Is it above 6°? I have seen some weird shit happen with bad caster.

 

[ASSFROW]

I would think this is above the steering box. Once the box starts turning and has resistance in all of the linkage below(the wall) your problem stops. I agree with jaymz and would look at everything from above the box up to the steering wheel.

 

[azjl#3]

Replace your ball joints. Its 6 years old you need to change them. I changed them on our 2022 Wrangler and it drives so much better.

Ditto, ball joints to dynatrc or some other 3/4 or 1 ton bj

Also, put front axle on jackstands. Remove tires, slowly move the front end to get a better idea what's going on, I bet balljoints

 

[JeepCares]

Hello,

First of all I want to say that I have read the topics related to steering problems, page by page, word by word for the last 3 years : no solution, and almost no problem like mine.

This is why I decided to create another topic, because almost no one talks about the problem I have.

I will try to sum up the information, because as you can imagine I need to sum up 3 years of investigations and expensive upgrades to solve the problem... that is still not solved yet.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T

- AEV Dualsport 2.5 package
- AEV front and rear bumper
- WARN ZEON 10S Winch
- AEV 17 wheels with 315/70 R17 KO2
- FOX ATS Stabilizer
-JKS Manufacturing JKSOGS123 Front HD Adjustable Track Bar 0-4.5" Lift

No problem from 2018 to 2022.
The steering wheel felt loose from day 1 with absolutely no precision but I used to drive it like that... The famous "it's a jeep thing".

SYMPTOMS :

With no changes on the Jeep, I started to feel a rough sensation in the steering wheel.
Not the common play.
Not a death wobble.

... but a rough sensation of a multitude of micr-plays in the steering wheel when changing direction and a "tick" feeling before normal boost.

It happens when the Jeep is moving or not (from 0 to 60mph+)
It happens mostly when the steering wheel is close to 0 degree position.
It happens when I change the sens of rotation fo my steering wheel rotation.
Even from 1 degree to correct the direction, and doing it slowly is worse than doing it in a quick movement.
Sometimes it drives fine for maybe 10 km and then suddenly start to do it. When it starts then it remains like that.



A member of this forum had a similar problem, I contacted him and he finished by selling the Jeep for another one because he never solved his problem.

Here a picture to illustrate

UPGRADES :

Here is the sum up of what has been changed and done in the chronological order by Jeep and 4X4 specialists :

- New (replacement) FOX ATS Stabilizer
- Installation of Synergy adjustable and reinforced tie rod e drag link
- TSB for the replacement of the Aluminium Steering box for the Steel one (replacement of the steering box)
-Try with other wheels and tires.
- Inspection of the play in the ball joints (but no replacement)
- SYNERGY Front track bar and sector shaft brace
- Replacement of the Steering Pump with a new one + Change of the fluid
- Change of the Software code for the steering pump with (70F) instead of the original one (Jeep did not do it...)
- Update last week of the full software

The only mechanical components that have not been changed seem to be the steering column assembly with the inner shaft.

Today the feeling of the steering is close to a normal "car" with a lot of precision and it is more stiff than smooth.

But the problem I have with the rough sensation in the hand of micro vibrations and "tick" remains the same.

My mechanic feels it too but does not know what to do next considering we have quite done everything possible.

I have tested an other Rubicon and feels normal.

Could it be caused by a defect in the Voltage of the pump ? Battery or AUX Battery related ?

@JeepCares if you can help it would be really appreciated.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please send our team a private message. We would like to look into this to provide support. We look forward assisting you.

Gia
Jeep Cares

 

[Remorseless]

This is 100% either steering column, gearbox, or pump. If it's happening in the dead zone of the steering arc, AND while the Jeep is sitting still, none of the steering linkages or ball joints or anything are really coming into play.

This is a weird one.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

This is 100% either steering column, gearbox, or pump. If it's happening in the dead zone of the steering arc, AND while the Jeep is sitting still, none of the steering linkages or ball joints or anything are really coming into play.

This is a weird one.

It is. Thats why I asked the caster question. I had some of the oddest steering when my caster wasnt above 6°. I really dint think thats the issue here but it never hurts to confirm.

 

[TrustWonUSA]

Does it do it if the wheels are off the ground?

 

[POL]

Does it do it if the wheels are off the ground?

I need to check it putting the jack under

 

[azjl#3]

Hello,

First of all I want to say that I have read the topics related to steering problems, page by page, word by word for the last 3 years : no solution, and almost no problem like mine.

This is why I decided to create another topic, because almost no one talks about the problem I have.

I will try to sum up the information, because as you can imagine I need to sum up 3 years of investigations and expensive upgrades to solve the problem... that is still not solved yet.

2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T

- AEV Dualsport 2.5 package
- AEV front and rear bumper
- WARN ZEON 10S Winch
- AEV 17 wheels with 315/70 R17 KO2
- FOX ATS Stabilizer
-JKS Manufacturing JKSOGS123 Front HD Adjustable Track Bar 0-4.5" Lift

No problem from 2018 to 2022.
The steering wheel felt loose from day 1 with absolutely no precision but I used to drive it like that... The famous "it's a jeep thing".

SYMPTOMS :

With no changes on the Jeep, I started to feel a rough sensation in the steering wheel.
Not the common play.
Not a death wobble.

... but a rough sensation of a multitude of micr-plays in the steering wheel when changing direction and a "tick" feeling before normal boost.

It happens when the Jeep is moving or not (from 0 to 60mph+)
It happens mostly when the steering wheel is close to 0 degree position.
It happens when I change the sens of rotation fo my steering wheel rotation.
Even from 1 degree to correct the direction, and doing it slowly is worse than doing it in a quick movement.
Sometimes it drives fine for maybe 10 km and then suddenly start to do it. When it starts then it remains like that.



A member of this forum had a similar problem, I contacted him and he finished by selling the Jeep for another one because he never solved his problem.

Here a picture to illustrate

UPGRADES :

Here is the sum up of what has been changed and done in the chronological order by Jeep and 4X4 specialists :

- New (replacement) FOX ATS Stabilizer
- Installation of Synergy adjustable and reinforced tie rod e drag link
- TSB for the replacement of the Aluminium Steering box for the Steel one (replacement of the steering box)
-Try with other wheels and tires.
- Inspection of the play in the ball joints (but no replacement)
- SYNERGY Front track bar and sector shaft brace
- Replacement of the Steering Pump with a new one + Change of the fluid
- Change of the Software code for the steering pump with (70F) instead of the original one (Jeep did not do it...)
- Update last week of the full software

The only mechanical components that have not been changed seem to be the steering column assembly with the inner shaft.

Today the feeling of the steering is close to a normal "car" with a lot of precision and it is more stiff than smooth.

But the problem I have with the rough sensation in the hand of micro vibrations and "tick" remains the same.

My mechanic feels it too but does not know what to do next considering we have quite done everything possible.

I have tested an other Rubicon and feels normal.

Could it be caused by a defect in the Voltage of the pump ? Battery or AUX Battery related ?

@JeepCares if you can help it would be really appreciated.

and thumbs up to the drawing, you have some mad PowerPoint skillz. Sorry if PowerPoint is not a thing anymore.

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