Steering issues....solved!

[4xFUN]

Couldn’t care less about the vehicle value.

does anyone know of the new box is any different than adjusting the steering box? Or is there also calving in the box?

the price of the AE box is now 250$ from a Mopar authorized dealer. My time is worth something. I may just replace myself.

dealer already denied my claim unless I want to return vehicle to stock and remove steer smarts linkage.

anyone know the Mopar estimated install time for a steering box?

Are there any other dealers in your area? If the Steer Smarts gear is installed correctly (make sure the red taper sleeves are fully seated and everything torqued to specs) a competent service director, service manager, shop foreman or even a good service writer should be able to cut through the BS and offer assistance. (I used to run a large Mercedes service department and was with Chrysler prior to that...Before starting my own business which is not automotive related) Before you go to the new dealer, make a folder including all the times you have complained about steering-what if anything the other dealer did to address those complaints, what you did out of your own pocket (Steer Smarts, alignment, tire rotation, adjust tire pressure, etc) in an attempt to solve the problem. Also take several screen shots from this forum of complaints, Star cases and where the problem was diagnosed and solved by replacing the steering gearbox. Good luck!

PS: Make sure you do not go in with a Synergy Sector Shaft Brace attached to the gearbox...

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[Geekjeep]

Where you seeing it for $250. Best I found is $450 plus a core fee

 

[conmax]

Where you seeing it for $250. Best I found is $450 plus a core fee

mine has AE box and still wanders after trying everything from FCA as well as most aftermarket band-aids. very frustrating and expensive. i think i need to get something else. the great off road capability is not worth the unsafe steering.

 

[Halstem1]

Where you seeing it for $250. Best I found is $450 plus a core fee

I found several official Mopar vendors with the AE box part number for sale for 250$ and 75$ core charge. Even verified with one of them I’m looking at the right part.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Some boxes are no good. My JT’s steering box was also replaced by the dealer. I went from a 1.5 in dead spot to hardly any play. It’s a joy to drive now. I was able to get this done without all the drama. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Take a video on a straight road from the driver’s seat that shows the steering wheel and the road. Move the wheel to one side of the dead spot and hold and then to the other side and hold while the Jeep continues straight. (If you can’t make a video like this, a new steering box probably won’t help you.)

2. Explain to the service advisor that you understand how a Jeep should drive (follows the road camber, bounces different over bumps, blows in the wind, slow response with large sidewalks, etc.), but your Jeep has a real problem.

3. Very Important: Ask for their senior steering, alignment, suspension technician and make it clear that you’re willing to wait for them to be available.

4. Suggest the steering has too much play and refer to star case #S1819000003. They have access to a wealth of information on this topic. However, be careful not to do their job for them to avoid a confrontation. You’re trying to head off the “it’s normal for a Jeep” response.

5. Escalate to managers only as a last resort.

6. After a steering gear box replacement, check your steering fluid for a few days. Mine dropped quite a bit due to trapped air.

Did the low fluid affect the steering by chance?

 

[EugeneTheJeep]

Did the low fluid affect the steering by chance?

Nope. According to the tech, the pump gets air locked but still functions.

 

[Halstem1]

mine has AE box and still wanders after trying everything from FCA as well as most aftermarket band-aids. very frustrating and expensive. i think i need to get something else. the great off road capability is not worth the unsafe steering.

This is the thing. Some, like the OP, get the box replaced and steering is spot on. Done. And several have gotten the box replaced and no change.

I was able to this week get aligned so I feel comfortable driving for the first time in months. I’m good as is if it stays this way, at least until a real fix is presented.

 

[BlackGenesis]

It looks as thought only way to have tighter steering is to set proper backlash on the steering box (current or replacement).

 

[2mnycars]

It looks as thought only way to have tighter steering is to set proper backlash on the steering box (current or replacement).

good post.
But how does Jeep compensate dealers?
Are they paid for this adjustment?

 

[BlackGenesis]

good post.
But how does Jeep compensate dealers?
Are they paid for this adjustment?

You have few options, you can do it yourself, convince dealer to adjust new box per their procedure (as few have done), convince them to adjust your current one, throw money at dealer or other shop to do it.
Instructions on adjusting procedure are floting in a few steering threads, some people printed them out for dealers.
Note, Candy bars and flowers might elevate your success rate at the dealer.

 

[Odyssey USA]

You have few options, you can do it yourself, convince dealer to adjust new box per their procedure (as few have done), convince them to adjust your current one, throw money at dealer or other shop to do it.
Instructions on adjusting procedure are floting in a few steering threads, some people printed them out for dealers.
Note, Candy bars and flowers might elevate your success rate at the dealer.

Adjusting the box doesn’t work more often than it does. There was a thread here recently that went into the workings of the gearbox and a guy really broke it down. Basically, there are passages that these, essentially, ball bearings ride in that are machined grooves. That groove/pathway tolerance isn’t adjustable.

He, a shop technician, had 4 gearbox’s sent to him and he bench tested each one to observe which had the least lash. It worked for him.

 

[mgroeger]

pools may devalue $200k houses just like $50k Jeeps (“luxury segment”) that don’t drive straight might be devalued. True.

Yeah but the question is how did he know you have a "shitty $20k pool."? I would have thought 20k would be a decent pool.

 

[dpike]

eventually all pools are shitty...

then they cost you ANOTHER 20k to get rid of.

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