Steering resistance then goes away ..feels dangerous

[JeepCares]

Any update? I have a JLU Sport S with 6500 miles and its doing the same thing. I may take it in to the dealer tomorrow.

my steering did the same thing on me Saturday morning in Moab. It was about 40 degrees headed out of town to the trail and the dam jeep didn't turn until I got under 50 or so. Scared the shit out of us both. It also did it this morning pulling out of the parking lot at very low speed.

I’m having the same issue. Just started this week. Only happens right after start up in cooler weather but pretty much goes away as the Jeep warms up. Not sure how to get it to the dealer and have them reproduce it unless I camp in the lot the night before. Lol.

Hope to hear soon that you got it fixed and how it got fixed.

I have the same issue and it certainly is weather related. It all but disappeared during the summer and now that it is down in the 40s and 30s it has come back randomly. It almost feels like full lock and then lets go forcing a oversteer situation. I noticed this only really happens at or about 50mph.

I mentioned it to the dealer and they could not duplicate, and I can't make it happen as it just seems to be random

This is dead on. These steering boxes are the biggest part of the problem IMO. There are other factors with the wandering and loose steering but the box is the worst part of the failures. Too loose initially makes it better when cold. Tight initial box feels good until it gets cold and now they are binding. You just can't win.

This makes sense as I've experienced the exact same thing. Steering felt perfect all summer but now that the mornings are in the 30's and 40's here in Colorado, my steering above 55mph is so tight I can't turn the steering wheel without a ton of force, then it suddenly jerks to whichever direction I'm trying to go, causing sudden oversteer. This is NOT what I'd expect from new a vehicle, regardless of make/model/cost. This is dangerous! Is there any official documentation on this issue @JeepCares?

I experienced this exact same issue driving my family home yesterday afternoon. It was probably 45 degrees F, and the binding was only when turning left above 55-60 mph... if I pushed hard enough it would 'let go' all of a sudden and we'd swerve to the left. It lasted maybe 10-15 minutes.

For us it wasn't too bad because the highway we were on didn't have too tight of turns, but it was still bad enough that my wife was getting motion sick from me swerving, and if a cop was behind us I'm certain I would have been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.

I'm certain this could lead to serious injuries or death if it occurred when a person was needing to take a tighter turn. Even if they could overcome the resistance, it could cause them to swerve into the car next to them, or off the side of the road, or lose control.

What's the latest @JeepCares? I don't think confidence in the steering of your $45,000 vehicle is too much to ask.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for reaching out to our team for additional assistance with this concern. We understand how frustrating this can be. We do recommend going to your dealer to have TSB 08-092-18 applied. If you are in need of additional assistance while at the dealer for this, send us a private message. We are happy to assist.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

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[COBoarder]

During the summer months, temps 85-95 had what I call "sloppy" steering. It was a dead spot right in the center, an inch to 1 1/2 inch either side of center. Took it to the dealer to have them do the TSB 08-092-18 flash talked about on this forum. What a difference!! It fixed the problem instantly. Huge improvement. The temperature is now 30's-40's in the morning and steering is still perfect. I haven't experienced the "lock up" yet and hope I never do. Hoping the TSB 08-092-18 flash corrected the problem before I experienced it.

Same situation with my Sahara. All is good now, I can't tell the difference in steering during cold or hot days after the TSB was applied. Interested to see how it will do below freezing.

 

[jeremyjeep]

To everyone with the cold related steering resistance - do you have the AB, AC or AD version of the steering box? If the problem isn't fixed with the TSB / re-flash, then the -AD version of the steering box may be the fix.

 

[COBoarder]

To everyone with the cold related steering resistance - do you have the AB, AC or AD version of the steering box? If the problem isn't fixed with the TSB / re-flash, then the -AD version of the steering box may be the fix.

How can you determine what steering box version you have?

 

[jeremyjeep]

How can you determine what steering box version you have?

The AD version didn't come out until around August 2018. What is your JL's mfg date (in the door jam)? If you had the steering box replaced, it will be on your service invoice. Also, there should be a part number stamped / etched on the top of the steering box. If you look down on the right side of the radiator with a flashlight, you should be able to see the steering box.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

To everyone with the cold related steering resistance - do you have the AB, AC or AD version of the steering box? If the problem isn't fixed with the TSB / re-flash, then the -AD version of the steering box may be the fix.

Is there a part # label on the steering box that can visualized under the hood?

 

[jeremyjeep]

Is there a part # label on the steering box that can visualized under the hood?

There should be a part number stamped / etched on the top of the steering box. If you look down on the right side of the radiator with a flashlight, you should be able to see the steering box. Follow the steering column all the way to just shy of the radiator. You might not have a direct line of sight and need to look slightly from the left or right to find it.

 

[Rcash609]

Hello everyone. I have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler sport JLU, I got it toward the end of March. I have drove my Jeep everywhere and I have a little over 16,000 miles on it. I put different wheels on it the drakons and I got a set of KO2s from a guy that had a 2018 Jeep Wrangler jl rubicon around 2500 miles. I have had no problems with steering or anything until just recently. About 2 weeks ago i was letting my son get some driving time to prepare for his learners permit. He said dad this thing is hard to steer. At first I just thought it was where he wasn’t used to the Jeep and told him he would get used to it and not to worry about it. Well a few days ago I go start the Jeep up and it’s a chilly morning and I set out driving it and go around a slight curve and the steering is really stiff like it’s resisting to turn like maybe the power steering is going out or something and this is at a relatively low speed. I played it off and thought nothing about it. Well again this morning it does the same thing so now I know this isn’t some kind of fluke thing. I have had no problems with steering or anything until just recently. I have drove this thing everywhere. Cincinnati, Myrtle Beach, Panama City, Memphis, Indianapolis and so on with no issues. Till just in the last two weeks. Does anyone have any help with what I should do. Call the dealership first I’m guessing?

 

[jeremyjeep]

Another JL steering issue is starting to appear after getting some miles on it - wobble / shuttering. The thread is at https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-wheel-wobble.16577 See video example below (10 second video). The fix so far has been either loose bolts/nuts or the steering damper, which is on back order. It is happening on both stock / non-lifted and lifted JLs.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Hello everyone. I have a 2018 Jeep Wrangler sport JLU, I got it toward the end of March. I have drove my Jeep everywhere and I have a little over 16,000 miles on it. I put different wheels on it the drakons and I got a set of KO2s from a guy that had a 2018 Jeep Wrangler jl rubicon around 2500 miles. I have had no problems with steering or anything until just recently. About 2 weeks ago i was letting my son get some driving time to prepare for his learners permit. He said dad this thing is hard to steer. At first I just thought it was where he wasn’t used to the Jeep and told him he would get used to it and not to worry about it. Well a few days ago I go start the Jeep up and it’s a chilly morning and I set out driving it and go around a slight curve and the steering is really stiff like it’s resisting to turn like maybe the power steering is going out or something and this is at a relatively low speed. I played it off and thought nothing about it. Well again this morning it does the same thing so now I know this isn’t some kind of fluke thing. I have had no problems with steering or anything until just recently. I have drove this thing everywhere. Cincinnati, Myrtle Beach, Panama City, Memphis, Indianapolis and so on with no issues. Till just in the last two weeks. Does anyone have any help with what I should do. Call the dealership first I’m guessing?

Yes, get to your dealer. Try to replicate the problem on a cold start so they don’t give you the “can’t duplicate” response. Have them perform TSB 08-092-18 mentioned on this thread. If they decline, ask @JeepCares to help “educate” your dealer. If that does not fix your problem, file a complaint with NHTSA, demand a free loaner and park the Jeep until they fix the problem. Also, don’t forget to offer up your Jeep to Mike Manley for his kids to drive.

 

[Scipax]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for reaching out to our team for additional assistance with this concern. We understand how frustrating this can be. We do recommend going to your dealer to have TSB 08-092-18 applied. If you are in need of additional assistance while at the dealer for this, send us a private message. We are happy to assist.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

I had the TSB mentioned here applied at my dealership last week. I am happy to report that the issue has been resolved completely, steering feels smooth and confident at all temperatures and speeds now! Amazing what some software tweaks can do.

 

[Caki]

Not sure if this is relevant but "A LOT" of new cars with any type of lane assist tech feels like this. The vehicle thinks you are changing lanes without using the turn signal and seems to resist changing lanes. I always use my turn signal but I still found this feature off-putting. I turned it off in both an Audi and Volvo. Just a thought.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Not sure if this is relevant but "A LOT" of new cars with any type of lane assist tech feels like this. The vehicle thinks you are changing lanes without using the turn signal and seems to resist changing lanes. I always use my turn signal but I still found this feature off-putting. I turned it off in both an Audi and Volvo. Just a thought.

Not relevant on the Wrangler. No lane assist or warning system on JL.

We also turn it off on our RAV4.

 

[Ybohannon]

There is a thread I think called Major Steering issues (something like that). Anyways, had problem with steering locking up and they ended up replacing the whole steering system (I'm not a technical person so not sure that's exactly right) and have not had a problem with steering since. Other issues, but no steering problems. You should search this thread.

 

[DonnaInColorado]

I just had this problem at low temps in the morning. No power steering until it warmed up (was 34 degrees). Took to dealer and they flashed the computer to factory defaults. They kept it overnight and it still did the same thing the next morning. They are now replacing the steering pump and said that should solve the issue. I get it back today.

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