Steering Damper Issues?

[alpha1847]

My 2021 Sahara 4xe with just over 20k miles started to develop and violent shudder through the steering wheel when cruising around 75 and hitting any highway imperfection. Have to slow down 5-10 mph to get it to stop. Started a few months ago and getting worse. Dealer said it's a well known issue with the steering damper. Of course, they didn't have the part.

A few questions;
1. Anyone else have this happen after so few miles?
2. Anyone else having issues getting the part?
3. Anyone try a non-OEM part that is more durable (don't want to do this every 20k miles)

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[GATORB8]

There is a TSB on this, and a revised part.

On a 21, you also need to check that the ball joint nuts are tight, hopefully your fine, but that's a long time if you're running loose ball joints, and could be contributing to the issues.

Yes, you can run an aftermarket steering damper, available from a handful of shock manufacturers. I'm not sure how much monotubes impact a stock sahara, the pressure can cause some drift.

 

[Kbinspections]

We had the same problem…..Jeep replaced damper on recall, no issues since.

 

[Tokenwasp]

My 2021 Sahara 4xe with just over 20k miles started to develop and violent shudder through the steering wheel when cruising around 75 and hitting any highway imperfection. Have to slow down 5-10 mph to get it to stop. Started a few months ago and getting worse. Dealer said it's a well known issue with the steering damper. Of course, they didn't have the part.

A few questions;
1. Anyone else have this happen after so few miles?
2. Anyone else having issues getting the part?
3. Anyone try a non-OEM part that is more durable (don't want to do this every 20k miles)

1. Yes.
2. Yes - the dealer wanted to upgrade me to the Mopar FOX part, but wouldn't even do the labor under warranty.
3. Yes - I installed a Fox 2.0 TS Steering Stabilizer, no problems since.

EDIT: the install did NOT go as the directions said it would. The track bar on my 4xe Rubicon was in the way of the top bolts on the Steering Stabilizer bracket, so I had to detach one end and drop it to get the bracket off/on.

 

[alpha1847]

1. Yes.
2. Yes - the dealer wanted to upgrade me to the Mopar FOX part, but wouldn't even do the labor under warranty.
3. Yes - I installed a Fox 2.0 TS Steering Stabilizer, no problems since.

EDIT: the install did NOT go as the directions said it would. The track bar on my 4xe Rubicon was in the way of the top bolts on the Steering Stabilizer bracket, so I had to detach one end and drop it to get the bracket off/on.

As luck would have it, dealer finally got the part and called me earlier today. Going to try the warranty (free) option for now, but if this happens again, might try the Fox option. Mind sharing how much it ran you?

 

[Tokenwasp]

As luck would have it, dealer finally got the part and called me earlier today. Going to try the warranty (free) option for now, but if this happens again, might try the Fox option. Mind sharing how much it ran you?

Don't remember - got it on Amazon. It is a through-shaft upgrade from the stock (or even the mopar Fox one), and the price reflects that.

 

[evo8904]

https://teraflex.com/jl-jt-falcon-nexus-ef-2-2-fast-adjust-steering-stabilizer-stock-tie-rod.html#

I installed a Falcon nexus a few days ago. I did it at the same time that I installed a synergy track bar. Super easy and it definitely is a noticeable difference.

 

[GATORB8]

Monotube/IFPs should be under $200. Through shafts are in the $250-400 range depending on if they are adjustable.

Some twin tubes under $100.

 

[MTVB]

My 2021 Sahara 4xe with just over 20k miles started to develop and violent shudder through the steering wheel when cruising around 75 and hitting any highway imperfection. Have to slow down 5-10 mph to get it to stop. Started a few months ago and getting worse. Dealer said it's a well known issue with the steering damper. Of course, they didn't have the part.

A few questions;
1. Anyone else have this happen after so few miles?
2. Anyone else having issues getting the part?
3. Anyone try a non-OEM part that is more durable (don't want to do this every 20k miles)

Yes, dealing with this ongoing issue with our 2021 Jeep Sahara unlimited. Shakes violently over 50 mph which makes highway driving impossible. We’ve brought the vehicle in numerous times for this issue and the dealer acted like they weren’t aware of the “death wobble’. The part has been back ordered across the country for months. The dealer says they will call us when it’s in. It’s our only form of transportation. We only have 9k miles, it started shaking last year and it got worse. We are very frustrated.

 

[evo8904]

Yes, dealing with this ongoing issue with our 2021 Jeep Sahara unlimited. Shakes violently over 50 mph which makes highway driving impossible. We’ve brought the vehicle in numerous times for this issue and the dealer acted like they weren’t aware of the “death wobble’. The part has been back ordered across the country for months. The dealer says they will call us when it’s in. It’s our only form of transportation. We only have 9k miles, it started shaking last year and it got worse. We are very frustrated.

I would take it to a actual 4x4 Jeep shop. There is more to fixing “death wobble” than a steering damper. Plus, this is not just a Wrangler issue. Death wobble has been around since the beginning of front axle vehicles.

 

[GATORB8]

Yes, dealing with this ongoing issue with our 2021 Jeep Sahara unlimited. Shakes violently over 50 mph which makes highway driving impossible. We’ve brought the vehicle in numerous times for this issue and the dealer acted like they weren’t aware of the “death wobble’. The part has been back ordered across the country for months. The dealer says they will call us when it’s in. It’s our only form of transportation. We only have 9k miles, it started shaking last year and it got worse. We are very frustrated.

Specifically an effect of bumps/impacts, or every time you hit 50?

 

[GATORB8]

Just a note if someone needs a temp stock replacement. RockAuto has both a KYB and Monroe available for under $50. It's two bolts...

 

[MTVB]

Specifically an effect of bumps/impacts, or every time you hit 50?

It’s sporadic and unpredictable

 

[MTVB]

I would take it to a actual 4x4 Jeep shop. There is more to fixing “death wobble” than a steering damper. Plus, this is not just a Wrangler issue. Death wobble has been around since the beginning of front axle vehicles.

It’s a leased vehicle, we obviously aren’t paying for this, and we are getting nowhere while paying for a vehicle we can’t drive on the highway

 

[GATORB8]

It’s sporadic and unpredictable

I agree with @evo8904, and would take it to get the front end looked over.

But, literally anyone could put a steering stabilizer on. You could trust a craigslist mechanic with something like that.

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