Steering wheel wobble?

[Dusty Camaro]

My Stabilizer Code is X176MB3A, Wrangler built in July.
I'm pretty sure my dead spot is the steering box - you can turn the shaft and the pitman arm does not move.
But maybe the stabilizer is causing the wandering and disconnected feeling when driving.

Same stabilizer code here. So, in short, had excessive play in steering that resulted in a near miss. Dealer agreed an issue, re-checked, re-torqued components. Was much improved for a couple days, then returned w/ less play but would suddenly have a dead spot or play and then catch the steering input which resulted in having way to much steering input which necessitated a counter correction. Scary. Dealer drove again, agreed it did not steer correctly and replaced hydraulic pump. Honestly, my dealer has been excellent and I do not fault them as this is a manufacturers issue. Anyway, the issue which remains is one of the issues from the beginning, the steering does not fully to return to center, which results in turning ...and then often turning the wheel again or micro adjusting to center. Does this sound like a stabilizer?? Beyond that, there is so little road feed back in the steering, it just feels numb and artificial. Weird.

I must say, as excited as we were to make the purchase, now no one in the house wants to drive thing and its brand new. Will return to dealer but fearful of the eventual "it's jeep thing", despite being a great dealer thus far.

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[jeremyjeep]

Same stabilizer code here. So, in short, had excessive play in steering that resulted in a near miss. Dealer agreed an issue, re-checked, re-torqued components. Was much improved for a couple days, then returned w/ less play but would suddenly have a dead spot or play and then catch the steering input which resulted in having way to much steering input which necessitated a counter correction. Scary. Dealer drove again, agreed it did not steer correctly and replaced hydraulic pump. Honestly, my dealer has been excellent and I do not fault them as this is a manufacturers issue. Anyway, the issue which remains is one of the issues from the beginning, the steering does not fully to return to center, which results in turning ...and then often turning the wheel again or micro adjusting to center. Does this sound like a stabilizer?? Beyond that, there is so little road feed back in the steering, it just feels numb and artificial. Weird.

I must say, as excited as we were to make the purchase, now no one in the house wants to drive thing and its brand new. Will return to dealer but fearful of the eventual "it's jeep thing", despite being a great dealer thus far.

Based on my research and what others have said in their testing (replacing parts), yes the steering stabilizer can cause those symptoms. Some people say no, but there are people who replaced their steering stabilizer with an aftermarket steering stabilizer and those steering symptoms disappeared. If you Google steering stabilizer symptoms, there are several articles that support this. Here is just one article (Google for many more): https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-steering-stabilizer-stop The question is, did something else in the steering system make the steering stabilizer go bad or not. Because many JLs have the steering problems the second it was driven off the lot, AND the Star case stating there is a date range of steering stabilizers that should be replaced if steering symptoms exist, then there are cases where another component didn't cause the steering stabilizer to go bad. I'm sure there are cases that the stabilizer was damaged by other parts, but that seems to be a small percentage.

 

[Chewbacca2264]

Don't forget that there is also an issue with the stock track bar. 1 inch of deflection between the bar and bushings means that the Jeep is not staying centered over the Axel. This will place added stress on the steering components possibly causing failure of stabilizer. My take is that Jeep has two issues on this thing....and because they must work in concert it is difficult to diagnose. What came first sort of question. In my case I am not taking any chances or waiting for FCA who have been dragging their feet on this. $600 for track bar and stabilizer sure beats losing 6k on trade to get back in a JK. The engineers should be ashamed of this design.

Chewi

 

[JeepCares]

I’ve also got the death wobble/shimmy. 7500 miles, stock rubicon, had it in the shop last week. Dealer couldn’t find anything wrong or duplicate the shaking. The next day as I pull onto the highway and hit a manhole cover the steering wheel starts shaking violently. I went straight back to the dealer and took a mechanic for a ride. Now the dealer I is going to install a steering stabilizer.

Hi Trayce,
We're very sorry that you've been experiencing this. Send us a private message if you need any assistance while your Jeep is at the dealer.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Dusty Camaro]

While I would like to resolve the issues w/ new aftermarket track bars and a better stabilizer, this thing is brand new. I was planning on a 2.5 AEV kit and AEV wheels, but can't stomach spending money in an attempt to remedy a manufacturers defect, both on principle the chance it's $600 and not an answer....or make it worse! Either the third time will be the charm or phone calls will be necessary.

Anyone else with slow to return to center or failing to return to center??

 

[Woodynj]

While I would like to resolve the issues w/ new aftermarket track bars and a better stabilizer, this thing is brand new. I was planning on a 2.5 AEV kit and AEV wheels, but can't stomach spending money in an attempt to remedy a manufacturers defect, both on principle the chance it's $600 and not an answer....or make it worse! Either the third time will be the charm or phone calls will be necessary.

Anyone else with slow to return to center or failing to return to center??

I hear ya. I should not have to go aftermarket but will do it if that’s the only option. If it fixes the problem I’m sending Jeep the bill.

Not sure if mine is slow to return to center compared to others but it is certainly slower and less responsive than my wife’s Acura.

 

[Lak7]

Anyone else with slow to return to center or failing to return to center??

Return to center as-in the wheel returning to center after turning a corner and accelerating?
Not here.

 

[Chewbacca2264]

While I would like to resolve the issues w/ new aftermarket track bars and a better stabilizer, this thing is brand new. I was planning on a 2.5 AEV kit and AEV wheels, but can't stomach spending money in an attempt to remedy a manufacturers defect, both on principle the chance it's $600 and not an answer....or make it worse! Either the third time will be the charm or phone calls will be necessary.

Anyone else with slow to return to center or failing to return to center??

I hear you.......I waited a good bit before I finally pulled the trigger. My service is gonna get right back to me regarding the stabilizer as my code is bad as well. As far as steering yes my symptoms stock were very similar to yours......after lift and slightly bigger tires it has morphed a bit with added shudder as well.

 

[Dusty Camaro]

Return to center as-in the wheel returning to center after turning a corner and accelerating?
Not here.

Return to center being after turning the steering wheel, it is very slow to straighten back out from a turn and when it does return it is still slightly off requiring more input. Or, you have to return it and then next thing you know its past center. For example, drive any other car you own, or better yet a loaner jeep that doesn't exhibit this issue, turn right or left and then let go of the steering wheel...the steering wheel should return w/ the vehicle straightening out. It's odd, you don't realize you don't ever return the steering to center (in a normal functioning vehicle) until you have to, then you realize "hey, I just turned the steering wheel to turn right, and now I'm having to turn the steering wheel left to go straight'. Maybe not the best explanation but you know the problem if you have it.

 

[TheJoyceIsYours]

So at what point does this become in the lemon category? I know may states are if it's in the shop for over 30 days with a significant defect... I certainly am not looking to waiting for 30 days, let alone until March.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Don't forget that there is also an issue with the stock track bar. 1 inch of deflection between the bar and bushings means that the Jeep is not staying centered over the Axel. This will place added stress on the steering components possibly causing failure of stabilizer. My take is that Jeep has two issues on this thing....and because they must work in concert it is difficult to diagnose. What came first sort of question. In my case I am not taking any chances or waiting for FCA who have been dragging their feet on this. $600 for track bar and stabilizer sure beats losing 6k on trade to get back in a JK. The engineers should be ashamed of this design.

Chewi

There is a new version of the track bar - AD version. Does anyone know if it addresses the 1 inch of deflection mentioned a few times on the JL forum?

 

[jeremyjeep]

So at what point does this become in the lemon category? I know may states are if it's in the shop for over 30 days with a significant defect... I certainly am not looking to waiting for 30 days, let alone until March.

Each state has different rules - https://lemonlawusa.com/

 

[TheJoyceIsYours]

Each state has different rules - https://lemonlawusa.com/

Thanks for the link-hadnb't been here yet. I'd been looking into it a bit just in case... Certainly don't want to go that way, but I don't know that I want to chase steering issues for some time either.

Just curious what others looking down a few months of service purgatory were thinking.

 

[jeremyjeep]

Thanks for the link-hadnb't been here yet. I'd been looking into it a bit just in case... Certainly don't want to go that way, but I don't know that I want to chase steering issues for some time either.

Just curious what others looking down a few months of service purgatory were thinking.

True. It is good to have a plan B ready just incase. And knowing you have a plan B in hand now, can help you be more successful with plan A. And here is an idea for plan C.

 

[Command Line RC]

Return to center being after turning the steering wheel, it is very slow to straighten back out from a turn and when it does return it is still slightly off requiring more input. Or, you have to return it and then next thing you know its past center. For example, drive any other car you own, or better yet a loaner jeep that doesn't exhibit this issue, turn right or left and then let go of the steering wheel...the steering wheel should return w/ the vehicle straightening out. It's odd, you don't realize you don't ever return the steering to center (in a normal functioning vehicle) until you have to, then you realize "hey, I just turned the steering wheel to turn right, and now I'm having to turn the steering wheel left to go straight'. Maybe not the best explanation but you know the problem if you have it.

I have not experienced this issue at all. I'm guessing a true way to see if that's the stabilizer would be to remove it and then take it for a test drive around the neighborhood keeping it under 20MPH. If it still happens you know it's not the stabilizer. Honestly, I wouldn't think that would be the problem in your case. If you turn your wheel hard left can you feel it catch when you start turning the wheel all the way right. Meaning turn wheel all the way left...then turn it right...do you feel some resistance?

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