Steering wheel wobble?

[californiajeeping]

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.

This is excellent video documentation. Most of my JLs suspension and steering components were loose as well. I went to two different Jeep dealerships, one refused and said "the factory doesn't make those kind of mistakes", another dealership said they checked torque and they didn't. So I printed the JL torque specs and paid a 4x4 shop to torque it to factory spec. Took them less than 30 minutes to check and even demonstrated how loose they were.

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[Cypher]

This is excellent video documentation. Most of my JLs suspension and steering components were loose as well. I went to two different Jeep dealerships, one refused and said "the factory doesn't make those kind of mistakes", another dealership said they checked torque and they didn't. So I printed the JL torque specs and paid a 4x4 shop to torque it to factory spec. Took them less than 30 minutes to check and even demonstrated how loose they were.

We almost wrecked in a construction zone, so we wanted to make sure there is no question around the loose components and steering wheel play in case something happens. We are 1500 miles away from home right now, and there is a good chance we will be driving this home like it is as I doubt the dealership we are going to today will have the parts that are not even out yet. I am going to specifically ask them to torque all parts down, and give them all the star information. At least I will know I did what I could. This is now the 4th time in the shop since the month I have had it, but first time for these safety issues, I was very calm for the coolant leaks as that won't cause us to wreck, but not going to be as nice with the loose front end parts. That is not acceptable to me.

 

[californiajeeping]

We almost wrecked in a construction zone, so we wanted to make sure there is no question around the loose components and steering wheel play in case something happens. We are 1500 miles away from home right now, and there is a good chance we will be driving this home like it is as I doubt the dealership we are going to today will have the parts that are not even out yet. I am going to specifically ask them to torque all parts down, and give them all the star information. At least I will know I did what I could. This is now the 4th time in the shop since the month I have had it, but first time for these safety issues, I was very calm for the coolant leaks as that won't cause us to wreck, but not going to be as nice with the loose front end parts. That is not acceptable to me.

The new JL track bar and the new drag link are available now. No dealership will stock them, all will have to order them. Should take about 2 days to arrive. Or are you referring to different parts? Torquing by itself could fix a lot of it.

 

[DanW]

Ok, I've just learned some things, so I'm going to hit them one at a time until this problem is solved. First up will be setting the toe-in. I've got a hunch

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

Thanks, Alex! Will do. I'm going to have them torque all bolts and check alignment, first. Then we'll work from there. I think starting simple is the key. I really don't think the steering stabilizer is the cause.

 

[Cypher]

The new JL track bar and the new drag link are available now. No dealership will stock them, all will have to order them. Should take about 2 days to arrive. Or are you referring to different parts? Torquing by itself could fix a lot of it.

No, I was referring to the drag link / track bar. Hopefully they can get it in as we are set to leave to drive back home Friday. It is going into the dealership this evening.

 

[DanW]

It is starting to look like they are zeroing in on it. I've got a plan to methodically check/tackle one thing at a time with the help of my dealership until it is solved, which I think will be relatively soon. (I got it from another very helpful forum we're not supposed to name here). The first is to follow a new TSB and align with new toe-in specs, then loosen and retorque all bolts. I've got a couple diagnostic things to try, too, to help find a bad joint, if there is one. They've also released a new updated track bar. I'm not sure if I'll get to that, or not, but they seem to think it is the culprit, in some cases. I don't think that's the issue with mine. I think mine is the drag link tie rod end at the pitman arm. I'll know very soon. I think it wore prematurely and now has play in it. We'll see.

The biggest thing slowing me down is my work schedule.

 

[Cypher]

It is starting to look like they are zeroing in on it. I've got a plan to methodically check/tackle one thing at a time with the help of my dealership until it is solved, which I think will be relatively soon. (I got it from another very helpful forum we're not supposed to name here). The first is to follow a new TSB and align with new toe-in specs, then loosen and retorque all bolts. I've got a couple diagnostic things to try, too, to help find a bad joint, if there is one. They've also released a new updated track bar. I'm not sure if I'll get to that, or not, but they seem to think it is the culprit, in some cases. I don't think that's the issue with mine. I think mine is the drag link tie rod end at the pitman arm. I'll know very soon. I think it wore prematurely and now has play in it. We'll see.

The biggest thing slowing me down is my work schedule.

with mine, to me it seems like all the play in the tie rod ends, ball joints etc. every one now has like 1/8 in of play. that should not happen. stack all of that together, and could lead to loose steering and wandering. mine is also getting worse, and can track. we are on a long road trip, and from the time it first started, to now is night and day. I took a video when we first noticed, and again this morning before taking to a dealership. it is scary on a hwy, and really bad in narrow construction zones. my wife is still amazed at the wheel shake off bumps and expansion joints. we did not have this issue a first, so it is very noticeable to us now as we know how it drove before.

we ar documenting everything on paper, and via photos and videos. no room for a dealer to say can't replicate as we have video proof. this is a saftey Hazzard now, so I am treating it differently than some of my other issues.

also, we have a 2017 JKU now as a rental. night and day better. my wife asked if we can just trade lol. so this issue with the JL is not just a Jeep thing. our JLUR was not like this for the first 2700 or so miles. and all of the older JKs we have driven were not like this.

 

[DanW]

with mine, to me it seems like all the play in the tie rod ends, ball joints etc. every one now has like 1/8 in of play. that should not happen. stack all of that together, and could lead to loose steering and wandering. mine is also getting worse, and can track. we are on a long road trip, and from the time it first started, to now is night and day. I took a video when we first noticed, and again this morning before taking to a dealership. it is scary on a hwy, and really bad in narrow construction zones. my wife is still amazed at the wheel shake off bumps and expansion joints. we did not have this issue a first, so it is very noticeable to us now as we know how it drove before.

we ar documenting everything on paper, and via photos and videos. no room for a dealer to say can't replicate as we have video proof. this is a saftey Hazzard now, so I am treating it differently than some of my other issues.

also, we have a 2017 JKU now as a rental. night and day better. my wife asked if we can just trade lol. so this issue with the JL is not just a Jeep thing. our JLUR was not like this for the first 2700 or so miles. and all of the older JKs we have driven were not like this.

Yeah, mine was good for 14k. I've got my JK to compare the play to, as well, so I'm still thinking I can narrow it down. I won't know until I try, though. I'll be comparing each component. My JK steers as well as ever, even with 129k on the clock. I'll be surprised if the JL has as much play in most of the joints as that high mileage JK. I'll report back once I get time to mess with it.

 

[Cypher]

Everyone needs to report this to the NHTSA. There are a lot of JLs out there, and could be a fairly large safety hazard. All may not have the issue right now, but it is starting to look like this may really be a design flaw that will show at some time. Mine was good for about 2700 miles. Now my wife is scared to drive it.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

 

[Chewbacca2264]

ZGN,
My one mechanic buddy who has an alignment shop is convinced it is the steering box/steer assist programming. I was on board with him for the most part. I had my original gear box replaced to no avail, the second one sucked as bad as the first one. The thing that confused me is that for 150-200 miles the new gear box felt much better, then it loosened way up. Could have been the weather as we came out of a cold snap, or was it the internals in the gear box? Very frustrating.

 

[Chewbacca2264]

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.

BRILLIANT! Seriously well done, I found the same thing on mine. Both drag link and sway bar had excessive play. Set the tow on my JKUR the other day and played around, drag link rotates but there is no vertical movement. I mentioned this in another thread, my drag link on the JL had as much as 3/16's movement straight up and down. Really makes me question if this is really all in the steering box, I think CJ is right that there are a host of problems that have to be tracked down and fixed. Keep up the fight!

 

[Cypher]

BRILLIANT! Seriously well done, I found the same thing on mine. Both drag link and sway bar had excessive play. Set the tow on my JKUR the other day and played around, drag link rotates but there is no vertical movement. I mentioned this in another thread, my drag link on the JL had as much as 3/16's movement straight up and down. Really makes me question if this is really all in the steering box, I think CJ is right that there are a host of problems that have to be tracked down and fixed. Keep up the fight!

I forgot to do so before, but I went ahead and tagged NHTSA, Jeep Cares, Jeep, and FCA North America in the videos on twitter. Feel free to retweet or share your own videos as well. The more we can show it is not just a "Jeep thing" and a safety issue the faster it will get resolved.

With mine, after almost being in an accident, and with the multiple other issues I have had that are still not resolved I think I am going to push the Lemon Law route at this point. I hate to do so, but seems to be problem after problem and needing a rental 1500 miles from home while my 2019 is in the shop for a major safety issue is too much. I could deal with the coolant leaks as that won't cause an accident, but bad steering is a no go for me. I value my family's life, and the life of others on the road I could impact should something ever fail or cause me to lose control.

I have a separate thread for all of my issues, I will update there what long term happens,

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