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Steering Issue Improved or Disappears After Break-in?

californiajeeping

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My dealer's service department was surprisingly unaware of any issue with 2018/19 Wrangler JL steering issues. Several folks on this forum seem to have run into the same dealer response. Until FCA acknowledges this problem with the JL Wrangler and provides their dealers' service departments with a specific and comprehensive fix for it, I see no reason to seek a remedy at the dealer at this time. It should not be up to the customer to have to make a case with the service manager that this problem exists. Until FCA forcefully gets the word out to their service people identifying the cause of the problem and an effective solution, I will make more effective use of my time trying to inform prospective buyers of new Wranglers to carefully evaluate the steering behavior of any new Wrangler they plan to purchase.
FCA is very aware of the JL Wrangler steering problems, but you are right - many of the Jeep dealers don't even bother to search their resources (Star system, manuals, etc.) - see footnote #1 below, Jeep dealerships tied for last place in customer satisfaction survey. The list of troubleshooting items in the Star Case below has fixed many JL owner's steering problems. They even updated the original Star Case to include additional items to check. Some JLs still have the steering problems, but some are fixed. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...o-help-cure-steering-issues-68394087aa.25299/ There are 3 known steering issues 1) loose steering 2) drifting/wandering 3) shimmy/wobble. Sometimes there are combinations of 2 or 3 of these symptoms on the same JL. The list of fixes includes a flash update that directly affects the power steering, toe-in adjustment set to max on the spec, tire pressure, loose ball joints, loose track bar bolts, loose drag link bolts, etc., new and improved track bar, new and improved drag link, newer version of the steering gear box, and more.

Here is the main steering thread that contains some success stories. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/

Footnote #1: This 2018 JD Powers survey shows Jeep dealership service departments tied for last place. Again. https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Dealership-Experience/2018/CSI
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JeepCares

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I'm taking my 18 Sport in this Saturday for the first of, I can only assume, several trips to the dealer, to get this steering issue resolve. It has steadily gone from annoying to dangerous at times.
Hi ozzysjeep,
We would like to ensure that your steering concern is properly documented and looked into further. Please send us a private message and our team would be happy to get a case escalated for you!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

ozzysjeep

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The Service Advisor said there was significant play in my steering assembly and they are ordering a steering damper. Going back later next week to install.
Fingers crossed.
 

JeepRider10

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Hi Capt-Zoom,
We regret to hear about your steering concern. If you would like any additional assistance while working with your dealer towards a resolution, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to get you connected with a case specialist!
Alex
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ozzysjeep

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The Service Advisor said there was significant play in my steering assembly and they are ordering a steering damper. Going back later next week to install.
Fingers crossed.
The steering damper was replaced Thursday. Friday I drove on the interstate for about an hour, at average speed of 75. The steering drift is only slightly better. Time to take it up a notch.
 

2mnycars

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FCA is very aware of the JL Wrangler steering problems, but you are right - many of the Jeep dealers don't even bother to search their resources (Star system, manuals, etc.) - see footnote #1 below, Jeep dealerships tied for last place in customer satisfaction survey. The list of troubleshooting items in the Star Case below has fixed many JL owner's steering problems. They even updated the original Star Case to include additional items to check. Some JLs still have the steering problems, but some are fixed. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...o-help-cure-steering-issues-68394087aa.25299/ There are 3 known steering issues 1) loose steering 2) drifting/wandering 3) shimmy/wobble. Sometimes there are combinations of 2 or 3 of these symptoms on the same JL. The list of fixes includes a flash update that directly affects the power steering, toe-in adjustment set to max on the spec, tire pressure, loose ball joints, loose track bar bolts, loose drag link bolts, etc., new and improved track bar, new and improved drag link, newer version of the steering gear box, and more.

Here is the main steering thread that contains some success stories. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/

Footnote #1: This 2018 JD Powers survey shows Jeep dealership service departments tied for last place. Again. https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Dealership-Experience/2018/CSI
This is an old post but your post is still very interesting.

New TSB No 08-074-20 is very helpful. I have my hopes up!

Meantime we took our Wrangler to the selling dealer for service to get the steering box installed. It was a bad experience. so we're moving on.

I've contacted P-FCA Jeep Canadian Customer Service (1-800-465-2001) After an hour talk they have recommended another dealer and we're going there to have our Wrangler assessed for this repair. If the Service Manager reports we need it, CCC will help. They've helped already.

The CCC rep actually said he cannot direct the parts to be installed. He has offered to help and will follow up with this second dealer to see if the TSB will be implemented.
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