This appears to have begun after the JK type of steering was deemed no longer sufficient, that is, sufficient enough to reduce JL production costs. That thinking shows in other components and processes as well ie the mixed metals and bare metal under handles and hinges.
I had a 2014 JKUR that drove like a car. That’s why I didn’t hesitate buying another 9 years later.
Verifying the input shaft coupling is tight first will keep you from wasting time searching for play in the steering box. I found the input shaft coupling loose and the pitman arm nut loose on mine. Both problems left by a dealership for me to find. They didn't get a second chance to touch my Jeep.
It's all tight. The dead spot I have has to come from the steering box. It's minimal, but it's there. I just can't tighten the steering box screw anymore. While adjusting it, you get to a point that turning the screw no longer helps. That is the limit of that adjustment. I back it off a bit while maintaining the best dead spot. It's now drivable, but knowing it's not perfect really sucks especially on a new car. Dealer says it's normal. They showed me the twin of my jeep and it was like mine before the adjustment.
This really is another failure of the JK to JL design transition from German to Italian ownership. After owning 4 JKs, the only two issues I had was water leaks from the hardtop and one broken oil filter can which was a common problem when they transitioned from the minivan V6 to the Pentastar.
Didn’t know they went from German to Italian. Now everything makes sense.
Yes the Germans bailed ie Mercedes, purchased by temporary ownership of corporate bean counters but they didn't count well. So bankruptcy, then the current owner purchased the brand for peanuts.
Wow. Let’s hope they get it together on this steering issue. There is nothing else like a wrangler. Italian brands tend to be focus on aesthetics. I do like the side faux vent and the dash is nicer. However, if trade it all for the steering to be how it’s supposed to be. Like I said before, I am at 98%, but should be a hundred. And why in the world would anyone need to do steering box adjustments right off the lot. Something got lost in the translation.
German vehicles are known for great road manners and they designed the JK. As I mentioned perviously, my 2 door JK with stick shift and oversized tires handled better by far than my JL, even with the new steering box. It's much better now, but still not what the old JKs are.
