Steering binds in cold weather

[Lorenc]

When cold outside (below 40), my steering binds and will not turn, especially to the left. After working it gently back and forth, it frees up.
I have the Red Neck Ram and pushing Nitto 40’s. Incidentally I also have the wandering issue on the highway, hope they figure out what causes that.

Loren

Sponsored

 

[Moto_21]

When cold outside (below 40), my steering binds and will not turn, especially to the left. After working it gently back and forth, it frees up.
I have the Red Neck Ram and pushing Nitto 40’s. Incidentally I also have the wandering issue on the highway, hope they figure out what causes that.

Loren

Its the gear box, mine did the same thing. They had to replace it

 

[Lorenc]

Its the gear box, mine did the same thing. They had to replace it

I had the gear box ported and mods done by Red Neck Ram...if I have to I’ll replace it, but just don’t want to go down that path if it’s something else related to the pump.

Loren

 

[D60]

Its the gear box, mine did the same thing. They had to replace it

Interesting. Only in cold weather? I'd expect a mechanical problem to happen more or less regardless of ambient temperature or fluid temp.

OP's problem seems like it'd be hydraulic in nature, but not necessarily I suppose.

OP, don't vanish! Let us know what you find!

 

[Moto_21]

Interesting. Only in cold weather? I'd expect a mechanical problem to happen more or less regardless of ambient temperature or fluid temp.

OP's problem seems like it'd be hydraulic in nature, but not necessarily I suppose.

OP, don't vanish! Let us know what you find!

Mine would bind the most turning left in cold weather. They found the gears inside the gear box to bund up. They did pressure tests on the hydro system and it all checked out. Could be different than mine but thats what the issue i had

 

[Moto_21]

Interesting. Only in cold weather? I'd expect a mechanical problem to happen more or less regardless of ambient temperature or fluid temp.

OP's problem seems like it'd be hydraulic in nature, but not necessarily I suppose.

OP, don't vanish! Let us know what you find!

Mine actually started doing this again. Its done with three times to me in two days. Twice on cold sub 50 mornings trying to turn left it goes straight. And again this morning trying to turn. Back to the dealer i go

 

[D60]

Mine actually started doing this again. Its done with three times to me in two days. Twice on cold sub 50 mornings trying to turn left it goes straight. And again this morning trying to turn. Back to the dealer i go

I haven't experienced but it sounds scary!!

 

[D60]

So I got this this morning! It was about 39 in Moab when I started the Jeep and trying to get out of the driveway it didn't want to turn left at first.

It would turn if I used a bit more force, it almost just felt like lack of power assist

I really don't want to take it to the dealer for anything but not sure I have a choice here (sigh)

 

[D60]

@Moto_21 , what came of yours?

I got to play with this again this morning. It was only left, and it REALLY, REALLY strikes me as simply lack of assist. It WILL turn if you get after it so I don't believe there's a mechanical impediment or problem with "gears" per se.....I really think it's my original theory of a hydraulic issue

Very strange....

I'm going to have no choice but to make an appointment with a dealer

 

[Moto_21]

@Moto_21 , what came of yours?

I got to play with this again this morning. It was only left, and it REALLY, REALLY strikes me as simply lack of assist. It WILL turn if you get after it so I don't believe there's a mechanical impediment or problem with "gears" per se.....I really think it's my original theory of a hydraulic issue

Very strange....

I'm going to have no choice but to make an appointment with a dealer

Nothing yet, they cant reproduce it. Plus it hasnt been cold enough to make it do it. I can only reproduce it at sub 50. Not that cold yet lol

 

[Moto_21]

@Moto_21 , what came of yours?

I got to play with this again this morning. It was only left, and it REALLY, REALLY strikes me as simply lack of assist. It WILL turn if you get after it so I don't believe there's a mechanical impediment or problem with "gears" per se.....I really think it's my original theory of a hydraulic issue

Very strange....

I'm going to have no choice but to make an appointment with a dealer

Mines only left as well, could be lack of assist, gear box was last description thing they gave me when it was replaced the first time. Id honestly rather get standard hydraulic gearbox back

 

[D60]

Mines only left as well, could be lack of assist, gear box was last description thing they gave me when it was replaced the first time. Id honestly rather get standard hydraulic gearbox back

Well that's what confuses me...as I understand it these still are a hydraulic gearbox, it's just an electric-over pump rather than engine driven. No different than my tube bender really.

So I really suspect a problem with the pump, or maybe something as simple as a check valve that doesn't work well in the cold ---- or a programming issue because apparently/allegedly FCA varies the amount of assist the pump provides based upon a number of factors so steering isn't twitchy at high speeds or sluggish at low speeds.

 

[D60]

What's weird is that under 50 (or even 39F where I experienced my problems) AIN'T that cold, esp for a lightweight oil like PS fluid.

I mean I realize any threshold has to fall SOMEWHERE, but how the hell did FCA miss this in cold weather testing? New vehicles should be tested in northern Canada with wind chills of -40 and in Death Valley at 125.... although I suppose some of us just happened to get a faulty batch of part "X", whatever the hell that is

 

[GraniteJLU]

I had the same issue a year ago, the jeep would not turn left under 40 degrees in certain situations. There is a TSB for this which is a quick software update that had to do with the power steering.
Mine has not done it since I had the TSB performed.

 

[D60]

I had the same issue a year ago, the jeep would not turn left under 40 degrees in certain situations. There is a TSB for this which is a quick software update that had to do with the power steering.
Mine has not done it since I had the TSB performed.

Man you rock! I'll do a web search but you wouldn't happen to have the paperwork or TSB # would you?

Sponsored