Sponsored

Officially done.

astglenn

Well-Known Member
First Name
Glenn
Joined
Jul 23, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
45
Reaction score
77
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLU
Well after 2 years of fighting with this thing, 1/2 a dozen gear boxes, track bars, stabilizers, tires,wheels, control arms. I’m done fighting it. Yesterday doing 70 on the expressway I hit a small bump, Jeep literally went across 3 lanes of rush hour traffic, over the curb and into the grass shoulder. Couldn’t get the death wobble to stop. Im shocked I didn’t hit anyone or cause a major accident,I’m done. I’m going to see what I can get for it the way it sits, if I can’t get any decent offers there will be a ton of parts listed in the for sale area. I have never fought a Jeep this much in my life.
I hate to say it but there will be a new Bronco sitting in my garage before long.
I am sorry to hear this. After having fixed the geometry, lousy aluminum steering box, and poor product development with my own engineer, I hate hearing this. Thank goodness you are someone else was not injured, or worse. These vehicles are in some cases an accident looking for a place to happen. The fact that Jeep has not gone full tilt to figure oit and rectify the Front end geometry and steering gear is almost hard to believe. A secret steering box replacement program that people have to fight like hell to bet the dealers to honor, is flatly an embarrassment and its a pathetic effort. I dig my jeep. And it drives well now. It only took about 10k worh of parts, labor and engineering services. Why these POS jeeps have this national insanity of addiction makes no sense to me anymore. Are they pretty much the perfect knock around sled? Yes. They are. But at what cost and level of accepting of being fucked? Truth is, the Bronco, of you can get one that the ecoboost dont eat its exhaust valves (WTF?) is monumentally superior in build quality and overall product development. A JLU and Bronco are not really even the same species. Its a completely different animal. I happen to think both are cool. Im about ready to off my Jeep out of protest. Im sick of reading the hundreds of stories of people being screwed while the manufacturer and dealers stand there with their dick in one hand and flyin the bird with the other.
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
Jeep&dogs

Jeep&dogs

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
48
Messages
1,042
Reaction score
1,344
Location
Cedar Lake
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUr
I am sorry to hear this. After having fixed the geometry, lousy aluminum steering box, and poor product development with my own engineer, I hate hearing this. Thank goodness you are someone else was not injured, or worse. These vehicles are in some cases an accident looking for a place to happen. The fact that Jeep has not gone full tilt to figure oit and rectify the Front end geometry and steering gear is almost hard to believe. A secret steering box replacement program that people have to fight like hell to bet the dealers to honor, is flatly an embarrassment and its a pathetic effort. I dig my jeep. And it drives well now. It only took about 10k worh of parts, labor and engineering services. Why these POS jeeps have this national insanity of addiction makes no sense to me anymore. Are they pretty much the perfect knock around sled? Yes. They are. But at what cost and level of accepting of being fucked? Truth is, the Bronco, of you can get one that the ecoboost dont eat its exhaust valves (WTF?) is monumentally superior in build quality and overall product development. A JLU and Bronco are not really even the same species. Its a completely different animal. I happen to think both are cool. Im about ready to off my Jeep out of protest. Im sick of reading the hundreds of stories of people being screwed while the manufacturer and dealers stand there with their dick in one hand and flyin the bird with the other.
I hate to say it but I truly think they both suck. It’s just a matter of which one sucks less. Lol. Still trying to figure that out.
 

azwjowner

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2020
Threads
11
Messages
2,275
Reaction score
3,968
Location
Phoenix
Vehicle(s)
2022 JL; 2004 WJ (sold but never forgotten)
Why not transplant the orange body from your Jeep onto another Jeep's frame? (Perhaps one that's been vandalized or destroyed by hail). Then you can keep the color and fix the problem.
 
OP
OP
Jeep&dogs

Jeep&dogs

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
48
Messages
1,042
Reaction score
1,344
Location
Cedar Lake
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUr
Why not transplant the orange body from your Jeep onto another Jeep's frame? (Perhaps one that's been vandalized or destroyed by hail). Then you can keep the color and fix the problem.
Trust me the thought has crossed my mind several times.
 

Tncdrew

Well-Known Member
First Name
Tom
Joined
May 3, 2022
Threads
24
Messages
1,781
Reaction score
3,496
Location
East Tennessee
Vehicle(s)
2022 JL Willys, 3.6L - 8spd
Nice pics of your shop! (A few posts back). I'm jealous! ?. Following the Ford Superduty forums a year ago when I bought my F350, this same topic was rampant over there. Fortunately, I've never experienced any DW in the SFA vehicles I've owned, but I can sure feel your frustration. Your methodical troubleshooting is to be commended. I hope you find something that keeps you interested in the 4WD world. Awesome Malibu project!!
 

Sponsored

Howardlv22

Well-Known Member
First Name
Howard
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Threads
18
Messages
252
Reaction score
478
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU EcoDiesel
I am sorry to hear this. After having fixed the geometry, lousy aluminum steering box, and poor product development with my own engineer, I hate hearing this. Thank goodness you are someone else was not injured, or worse. These vehicles are in some cases an accident looking for a place to happen. The fact that Jeep has not gone full tilt to figure oit and rectify the Front end geometry and steering gear is almost hard to believe. A secret steering box replacement program that people have to fight like hell to bet the dealers to honor, is flatly an embarrassment and its a pathetic effort. I dig my jeep. And it drives well now. It only took about 10k worh of parts, labor and engineering services. Why these POS jeeps have this national insanity of addiction makes no sense to me anymore. Are they pretty much the perfect knock around sled? Yes. They are. But at what cost and level of accepting of being fucked? Truth is, the Bronco, of you can get one that the ecoboost dont eat its exhaust valves (WTF?) is monumentally superior in build quality and overall product development. A JLU and Bronco are not really even the same species. Its a completely different animal. I happen to think both are cool. Im about ready to off my Jeep out of protest. Im sick of reading the hundreds of stories of people being screwed while the manufacturer and dealers stand there with their dick in one hand and flyin the bird with the other.
What data, relevant information, personal experience do you have of this because this is absolutely untrue. The bronco is nowhere near “monumentally superior in built quality. That is simply not true. It is one of the cheapest fit and finish and build quality vehicles I’ve ever driven, seen, and researched. I’m sure it’s great and I’m not dismissing the multitude of issues on the wrangler but this is not true.
 

IdahoJOAT

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 12, 2020
Threads
38
Messages
860
Reaction score
988
Location
Caldwell, ID
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURe Tuscadero, Black '05 Silverado
Vehicle Showcase
2
Enjoy your bronco. Drive what makes you happy
I whole-heartedly second this. Life's too short to put up with bullshit.
 

Wbino

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2021
Threads
116
Messages
4,232
Reaction score
7,585
Location
NJ
Vehicle(s)
2021 Wrangler JL 3.6 Etorque -- 1999 SLK 230
Occupation
Retired
Did you have a problem when it was stock?
 

14rubi

Well-Known Member
First Name
frank
Joined
Mar 18, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
65
Reaction score
129
Location
us
Vehicle(s)
81 CJ, 82 CJ, Ram TRX
I was always told the steering damper was not needed, if your Jeep was set up correctly. I have had many JKs and 5 JLs. Lifted not lifted, stock to full Metalcloak systems. On my 2019 JL, brand new had about 40 miles on it, I tried to drive from work to my house at 35mph with steering stabilizer disconnected. ( I didnt have the tool to get bracket off and had a fox stabilizer I was going to put on.) I got death wobble that about put me in a ditch. Its scary as hell, and something, with even a new, bone stock Jeep, is not right. So imho stabilizer is definitely needed as its covering up a possible issue with the geometry. That being said, I have never had it in a Jeep I built, just one where there was no stabilizer. To original post, it is a scary thing!
 

Sponsored

NewJLU2019

Well-Known Member
First Name
Curtis
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Threads
17
Messages
2,189
Reaction score
3,432
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2021 Rubicon Unlimited 2019 Sahara Unlimited
Occupation
Retired
Vehicle Showcase
1
I will try it! Todays been a good day on forum... hot sauce and tequila recommendations ?
Sorry to report.

I took my daughter at her word that she tried it, and it was so hot burned her chest. Carolina Reaper, they say hottest pepper, but I just sampled it and I laughed at it. I grew habanero's this summer and made salsa with 10 habaneros and couple of Jalapenos that puts that stuff to shame. Flavor is good but not enough Reaper peppers in it. I expected some heat.

I'll stick to my homemade sauce.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Jeep&dogs

Jeep&dogs

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Aug 11, 2019
Threads
48
Messages
1,042
Reaction score
1,344
Location
Cedar Lake
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUr
I was always told the steering damper was not needed, if your Jeep was set up correctly. I have had many JKs and 5 JLs. Lifted not lifted, stock to full Metalcloak systems. On my 2019 JL, brand new had about 40 miles on it, I tried to drive from work to my house at 35mph with steering stabilizer disconnected. ( I didnt have the tool to get bracket off and had a fox stabilizer I was going to put on.) I got death wobble that about put me in a ditch. Its scary as hell, and something, with even a new, bone stock Jeep, is not right. So imho stabilizer is definitely needed as its covering up a possible issue with the geometry. That being said, I have never had it in a Jeep I built, just one where there was no stabilizer. To original post, it is a scary thing!
[/QUOTE

Prior to this JL I would have been the one shouting you do even need a stabilizer. Last rig was LJ with a 4” coil over long travel suspension and 35’s. Put about 30k on it in two years. Mainly driving it back and forth to Jamborees, wheel it for the weekend and drive it back home. Drove from upper Wisconsin back home on the expressway doing 65-70 the whole way without the stabilizer. Never even so much as a wiggle. Felt the Jl should be no different. I no longer believe that. I’m not sure if it’s actually masking something or when it was designed it was calculated in.

When the Jl was first released it was late summer early fall. A lot of people RAVED about the steering and how tight and responsive it was in coming to the JK.
That first winter there were a ton of them that the steering would lock up when it was cold, the aluminum box expanded at a different rate than the internal gear and the box locked up. The first “ revision” of the gear box was literally them backing off the over center adjustment during assembly. That started the loose steering complaints and also all the DW complaints.

I feel the issue is they never updated the entire system so to speak, they have updated a few parts but never redesigned the entire system to work together.
 
 







Top