Steering wheel wobble?

[nerubi]

Mine got worse today. It was full blown death wobble when I hit a bump while accelerating through about 55mph. It seems that when the cg transfers to the rear under acceleration or going up a hill, the shake is worse upon hitting bumps. On the bad one today, it shook until I braked and shifted the cg forward. I'll be setting up an appointment with the dealership this week. I'm also going to try to get under it tomorrow afternoon and torque every bolt I can find in the front end.

Anybody who solves this, be sure to post on what you or your dealer did to cure it. This is a mechanical thing that is interacting with laws of physics, so it IS solveable. We or Jeep just have to figure it out, whether it is control arms, the track bar, stabilizer bar, steering stabilizer, or some combination, we will figure this thing out. The number of people having consistent problems speaks to a common issue that has to have a solution. @JeepCares I hope is taking note. It is also important that we report this to the NTHSA. Nothing gets an automaker's focus like numerous reports on the same issue. If they haven't already, once they put some of their better engineers on this, they'll figure it out.

If it is solvable why has it been around since at least the TJ? I am guessing all their best engineers have worked on it, have retired and new engineers are working on it. Or if the conspiracy theorists are right they solved it the first year and just decided not to change anything.

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[DanW]

If it is solvable why has it been around since at least the TJ? I am guessing all their best engineers have worked on it, have retired and new engineers are working on it. Or if the conspiracy theorists are right they solved it the first year and just decided not to change anything.

Well, if it isn't solveable, how do millions of Wranglers drive around out there without ever experiencing it even slightly?

 

[nerubi]

Well, if it isn't solveable, how do millions of Wranglers drive around out there without ever experiencing it even slightly?

Luck.

 

[californiajeeping]

Mine got worse today. It was full blown death wobble when I hit a bump while accelerating through about 55mph. It seems that when the cg transfers to the rear under acceleration or going up a hill, the shake is worse upon hitting bumps. On the bad one today, it shook until I braked and shifted the cg forward. I'll be setting up an appointment with the dealership this week. I'm also going to try to get under it tomorrow afternoon and torque every bolt I can find in the front end.

Anybody who solves this, be sure to post on what you or your dealer did to cure it. This is a mechanical thing that is interacting with laws of physics, so it IS solveable. We or Jeep just have to figure it out, whether it is control arms, the track bar, stabilizer bar, steering stabilizer, or some combination, we will figure this thing out. The number of people having consistent problems speaks to a common issue that has to have a solution. @JeepCares I hope is taking note. It is also important that we report this to the NTHSA. Nothing gets an automaker's focus like numerous reports on the same issue. If they haven't already, once they put some of their better engineers on this, they'll figure it out.

This is a summary of what I've read throughout all of the steering related threads. Note: Click the highlighted text links below to see references to this information. There are a couple of funny easter eggs in some of the links as well.

Yes, it is solvable, otherwise every JL would have the steering issues. It is like a combination lock situation, you have to get all numbers right, otherwise, it won't operate as designed. Most likely due to poor factory quality control the geometry varies - if they let so many with obvious welding problems slip through the factory, just imagine what else they missed, like the proper front end geometry. The factory workers must of been high or drunk to miss such super bad welding - yeah, maybe someone at the assembly plant didn't didn't weld the frame, but someone is supposed to check quality. In other words, some JLs with steering problems have loose steering components and need toe-in fine tuned to 1/8" toe in versus just being in spec, and some need the new steering stabilizer, more caster via the longer Mopar lower control arms - 68322798AA, new track bar part number 68394087AA - old one is 68317849AA, new drag link part number 68258760AD (new as of mid Feb 2019), tires need balancing, new steering box, torque loose components and the TSB flash, some JLs need combinations or all of the above. The problem is finding a dealership that first agrees there is a problem, then hopefully that same dealership is tenacious enough to find every number in the combination to solve the problem vs just saying it is in spec and-or it is operating as designed. Then you finally get it the steering right, you hit a speed bump or pothole just right and you get to start over again. I've had POS economy rental cars for weeks at a time traveling for work, drove faster over speed bumps, aimed for potholes instead of avoiding them, etc. shouting "rental car!" each time and the steering never had a problem after all that abuse.

In my case, my JL's wobble and drifting was fixed by torquing the finger tight ball joint nuts, loose track bar and drag link bolts to FACTORY spec, replacing the bad date code steering stabilizer, and changing the toe-in to 1/8" which is at the far side of the spec. I had everything perfect, then I had my tires rotated during an oil change and the dealer said "we noticed your toe settings was on the extreme side so we adjusted it to zero". Great, thanks. The drifting came back. So I re-adjusted toe-in back to 1/8" and problem solved. I'd rather have a little bit of extra wear on my tires than drift into an oncoming 18 wheeler head on.

 

[californiajeeping]

I was bragging a few times about how well my 2019 JLUR drives. Well, right around 3000 miles mine has the bad wandering / loose steering and wheel shimmy when hitting expansion joints etc. Fun stuff.

2019 steering and front suspension part numbers are the same as the 2018. You most likely have loose components that got looser over time. Torquing things up, changing your toe-in to 1/8", and checking your steering stabilizer for the bad date code could fix most of it. Welcome to the 2018 club/party. Over 3,000 steering related posts in this one thread alone - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/

 

[Cypher]

2019 steering and front suspension part numbers are the same as the 2018. You most likely have loose components that got looser over time. Torquing things up, changing your toe-in to 1/8", and checking your steering stabilizer for the bad date code could fix most of it. Welcome to the 2018 club/party. Over 3,000 steering related posts in this one thread alone - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/

I plan to check all of that on my second half of this trip when I get to Arkansas. Ill have access to a full garage with tools there. Until then we are just white knuckling it across texas and OK where the wind and bad roads really make it a mess to drive

 

[Martindfletcher]

Mine got worse today. It was full blown death wobble when I hit a bump while accelerating through about 55mph. It seems that when the cg transfers to the rear under acceleration or going up a hill, the shake is worse upon hitting bumps. On the bad one today, it shook until I braked and shifted the cg forward. I'll be setting up an appointment with the dealership this week. I'm also going to try to get under it tomorrow afternoon and torque every bolt I can find in the front end.

Anybody who solves this, be sure to post on what you or your dealer did to cure it. This is a mechanical thing that is interacting with laws of physics, so it IS solveable. We or Jeep just have to figure it out, whether it is control arms, the track bar, stabilizer bar, steering stabilizer, or some combination, we will figure this thing out. The number of people having consistent problems speaks to a common issue that has to have a solution. @JeepCares I hope is taking note. It is also important that we report this to the NTHSA. Nothing gets an automaker's focus like numerous reports on the same issue. If they haven't already, once they put some of their better engineers on this, they'll figure it out.

I just put the steer smarts drag link and tie rod, I already have an RK track bar. Fixed my wobble. All links but the pitman fell out when the nuts were loosened no hammer needed for those.

 

[californiajeeping]

Star Case Updated - The original star case about loose steering S1819000003 is here - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-142#post-426243

Below are screen captures of the updates to it that occurred on Feb 26 2019 are here. And of course, it says to CHECK TORQUE - torque specs here - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...rangler-jl-steering-related-components.18510/

And here is the toe spec -

 

[Cypher]

Now at 3600 miles In the cold I have the 1" side to side to side play in the steering wheel before the wheels move any. Seems to get worse and worse as the miles add up

 

[Sting-Gray AJ]

This is a summary of what I've read throughout all of the steering related threads. Note: Click the highlighted text links below to see references to this information. There are a couple of funny easter eggs in some of the links as well.

Yes, it is solvable, otherwise every JL would have the steering issues. It is like a combination lock situation, you have to get all numbers right, otherwise, it won't operate as designed. Most likely due to poor factory quality control the geometry varies - if they let so many with obvious welding problems slip through the factory, just imagine what else they missed, like the proper front end geometry. The factory workers must of been high or drunk to miss such super bad welding - yeah, maybe someone at the assembly plant didn't didn't weld the frame, but someone is supposed to check quality. In other words, some JLs with steering problems have loose steering components and need toe-in fine tuned to 1/8" toe in versus just being in spec, and some need the new steering stabilizer, more caster via the longer Mopar lower control arms - 68322798AA, new track bar part number 68394087AA - old one is 68317849AA, new drag link part number 68258760AD (new as of mid Feb 2019), tires need balancing, new steering box, torque loose components and the TSB flash, some JLs need combinations or all of the above. The problem is finding a dealership that first agrees there is a problem, then hopefully that same dealership is tenacious enough to find every number in the combination to solve the problem vs just saying it is in spec and-or it is operating as designed. Then you finally get it the steering right, you hit a speed bump or pothole just right and you get to start over again. I've had POS economy rental cars for weeks at a time traveling for work, drove faster over speed bumps, aimed for potholes instead of avoiding them, etc. shouting "rental car!" each time and the steering never had a problem after all that abuse.

In my case, my JL's wobble and drifting was fixed by torquing the finger tight ball joint nuts, loose track bar and drag link bolts to FACTORY spec, replacing the bad date code steering stabilizer, and changing the toe-in to 1/8" which is at the far side of the spec. I had everything perfect, then I had my tires rotated during an oil change and the dealer said "we noticed your toe settings was on the extreme side so we adjusted it to zero". Great, thanks. The drifting came back. So I re-adjusted toe-in back to 1/8" and problem solved. I'd rather have a little bit of extra wear on my tires than drift into an oncoming 18 wheeler head on.

Great summary! Thanks. I’ll keep this handy and also send to my dealer’s service manager I’ve been dealing with for his reference.
So far my second replacement SS is still doing its job but I’m not uncrossing my fingers anytime soon.

 

[Cypher]

Now at 3600 miles In the cold I have the 1" side to side to side play in the steering wheel before the wheels move any. Seems to get worse and worse as the miles add up

We stopped for gas, I had my wife move the steering wheel while I looked outside at the front end components. There was a good 1/2 deflection between the tire rod assemble and drag link. You can actually grab the lower bar by the tie rods and move them up and down by hand an 1/8 or more.

This has become a nightmare of issue after issue with no end in sight. And I am still smelling coolant when driving and when you stop. The overflow tank is leaking at the hose, and the lower hose into the radiator is still seeping. I'm going to update my thread on issues to reflect everything. All I can say is good luck everyone, we are all in this together it seems.

 

[Leights7]

Star Case Updated - The original star case about loose steering S1819000003 is here - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-142#post-426243

Below are screen captures of the updates to it that occurred on Feb 26 2019 are here. And of course, it says to CHECK TORQUE - torque specs here - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...rangler-jl-steering-related-components.18510/

And here is the toe spec -

Interesting. Anybody know why it says for 4-door only?

 

[JeepCares]

Mine got worse today. It was full blown death wobble when I hit a bump while accelerating through about 55mph. It seems that when the cg transfers to the rear under acceleration or going up a hill, the shake is worse upon hitting bumps. On the bad one today, it shook until I braked and shifted the cg forward. I'll be setting up an appointment with the dealership this week. I'm also going to try to get under it tomorrow afternoon and torque every bolt I can find in the front end.

Anybody who solves this, be sure to post on what you or your dealer did to cure it. This is a mechanical thing that is interacting with laws of physics, so it IS solveable. We or Jeep just have to figure it out, whether it is control arms, the track bar, stabilizer bar, steering stabilizer, or some combination, we will figure this thing out. The number of people having consistent problems speaks to a common issue that has to have a solution. @JeepCares I hope is taking note. It is also important that we report this to the NTHSA. Nothing gets an automaker's focus like numerous reports on the same issue. If they haven't already, once they put some of their better engineers on this, they'll figure it out.

Hi DanW,
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. If you would like to work with your dealer to address this concern, please send us a private message and we would be happy to offer additional assistance.
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Cypher]

Here are 3 quick videos. I could not get them uploaded here. One shows the amount of play in the cold at 75mph that the steering wheel has. If you watch further in the steering view, you get well over an inch each way at speed. When you hit a bump or expansion joint it shakes real bad now.

The other two are how you can move the various steering components by hand in the front end. It has actually gotten worse, I took a video about 700 miles ago at a gas station, then this morning at the hotel. More play now.

 

[Cypher]

Here are 3 quick videos. I could not get them uploaded here. One shows the amount of play in the cold at 75mph that the steering wheel has. If you watch further in the steering view, you get well over an inch each way at speed. When you hit a bump or expansion joint it shakes real bad now.

The other two are how you can move the various steering components by hand in the front end. It has actually gotten worse, I took a video about 700 miles ago at a gas station, then this morning at the hotel. More play now.

On a positive note I guess, the Jeep named itself. My Daughter and wife kept telling me we needed a name. After all the issues, and trips to the svice department (now while on vacation) I think I have found its name.

Everyone meet HeiHei.

Heihei” (sometimes Hei Hei) in the Maori language means 'disturbance' or an 'interruption from the norm. This seems to fit on so many levels. We all Like Moana, so all find it a fitting name as so far this thing has really been a pain in the butt.

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