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Stiff steering above 60mph in cold weather---TSB did not fix

offcamber

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A few weeks ago, when temps here dropped into the 40's, I noticed at 60mph or so and above, it felt like someone putting their hand on the wheel and trying to hold it still when turning. It was resistant to turn very far then suddenly would "let go", which, I feel, is very dangerous. I had the TSB performed that is supposed to address this issue. Temps were higher and I thought I was good now. Two days ago it dropped to the 40's again, and I still have the issue. I won't let my wife drive the Jeep and I've already almost had one accident due to this. Anyone else had the TSB done and still experiencing this?
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offcamber

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No clue, replaced it with a Fox a long time ago. Mine is the second issue. Occurs below 50 degs and ONLY around 60mph. This does not seem to be a mechanical issue, I'd say it's software since it only occurs at those speeds. Drop 5 mph below and it will never occur. It's almost like its trying to enable speed sensitive steering but failing.
 

saabarch

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Had the same thing happen recentlyā€”scared me pretty good. Cold outside, raining, freeway.

The steering just stiffened up as I made a signaled lane change for no reason. Like lane keep assist gone wild. Then it went away. Then it came back. Then finally away for the rest of the trip.

I filed a complaint with NHTSA. Simply too dangerous. Sitting at the Jeep dealer as I write.

I will post what I find out. @JeepCares is aware.

If this product fault causes a wreck in the future, I cannot even speculate what might be the potential consequences.
 
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saabarch

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software fix per the TSB. letā€™s see if it works, though now the jeep is idiling rough.
 

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A few weeks ago, when temps here dropped into the 40's, I noticed at 60mph or so and above, it felt like someone putting their hand on the wheel and trying to hold it still when turning. It was resistant to turn very far then suddenly would "let go", which, I feel, is very dangerous. I had the TSB performed that is supposed to address this issue. Temps were higher and I thought I was good now. Two days ago it dropped to the 40's again, and I still have the issue. I won't let my wife drive the Jeep and I've already almost had one accident due to this. Anyone else had the TSB done and still experiencing this?
I had a similar issue. My issue is at low speeds 10mph and lower (thankfully!) and temps below 40 degrees. It acts just as you describe, incredibly difficult to turn, and then just gives. That is the scary part, when it just gives. My JL is at the dealer now, and I asked them to look at the SB mentioned in this thread. Of course they drove the Jeep and nothing happened, no codes stored either. I didn't realize that the issue was only with colder temps until I found this thread, but both instances I had in the last couple of weeks were with colder temperatures. We'll see how this goes.
 

CaJLMetalHead

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Same issue here... bought my JL during summer.. I never experienced the issue until it got colder in Northern California.. I noticed in the morning when it was cold when I maneuvering to exit the parking spot at home that the steering got stuck for a second.. only in the morning when it was around or below 40 degrees... then the other day I drove really early in the morning about 130 highway miles and it was always below 40.. and it fought me all the way home.. while trying to change lanes... the steering felt really heavy, it fought me on curves.. dangerous!!!.. it felt like a hydraulic system with no fluid.. and it got stuck entering the highway ramp.. scary moment!!.

So.. is it confirmed that the TSB solves this issue?.. it seems like it didn't solve it for OffCamber..
 

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A few weeks ago, when temps here dropped into the 40's, I noticed at 60mph or so and above, it felt like someone putting their hand on the wheel and trying to hold it still when turning. It was resistant to turn very far then suddenly would "let go", which, I feel, is very dangerous. I had the TSB performed that is supposed to address this issue. Temps were higher and I thought I was good now. Two days ago it dropped to the 40's again, and I still have the issue. I won't let my wife drive the Jeep and I've already almost had one accident due to this. Anyone else had the TSB done and still experiencing this?
Did you check your date code on the steering stabilizer? Details are in the Recall, TSB, Issues thread.
 

redelses

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I had a similar issue, but at all speeds (even parked) when it got below 40F. Just did the update per the TSB, and will get cold this weekend, so we'll see how it goes. The steering in general feels much more precise since the update, though.
 

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I experienced this today for the first time at 70 mph on a curve. I have about 9700 miles on my JL now. For the first time, I drove my Jeep into colder weather; NC to PA to run some trails at Rausch Off Road Park. It was roughly 35-36 degrees and for the first time, I felt what Iā€™ve read about. Itā€™s like someone was holding the wheel. I tried to get it to move several times and then it freed up and then did the same thing again a few moments later. Hereā€™s the video:

@JeepCares - Please add this link and video to my currently open complaint for the steering pump whining getting louder.

Thank you.
 

JeepCares

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I experienced this today for the first time at 70 mph on a curve. I have about 9700 miles on my JL now. For the first time, I drove my Jeep into colder weather; NC to PA to run some trails at Rausch Off Road Park. It was roughly 35-36 degrees and for the first time, I felt what Iā€™ve read about. Itā€™s like someone was holding the wheel. I tried to get it to move several times and then it freed up and then did the same thing again a few moments later. Hereā€™s the video:

@JeepCares - Please add this link and video to my currently open complaint for the steering pump whining getting louder.

Thank you.
Hi chevymitchell,
We're very sorry that you experienced this. I have noted this along with your video in your case for your Case Specialist to see. Please send us a private message if we can answer any questions for you.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

JLo

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A few weeks ago, when temps here dropped into the 40's, I noticed at 60mph or so and above, it felt like someone putting their hand on the wheel and trying to hold it still when turning. It was resistant to turn very far then suddenly would "let go", which, I feel, is very dangerous. I had the TSB performed that is supposed to address this issue. Temps were higher and I thought I was good now. Two days ago it dropped to the 40's again, and I still have the issue. I won't let my wife drive the Jeep and I've already almost had one accident due to this. Anyone else had the TSB done and still experiencing this?
I had my steering damper replaced (recall) a few weeks before I had the same issue where I was going around a right turn on the highway when the steering wheel got stuck and I almost went straight into the median toward oncoming traffic. I immediately got off the highway and brought it to the closest dealer where they cleaned the ground bolt and the area around it. I got it back and the steering was even more inconsistent so I brought it back to the same dealer and they said nothing was wrong. So I brought it to my dealer and they replaced the steering damper again and sent me home. The steering felt tighter, but the real issue seemed to be gone. This was a month ago and now that temperatures are colder in the morning, I notice that going at least 40mph, the steering gets stiff enough where it doesn't move until it finally "let's go" and pulls my wheel. I'm bringing it back in tomorrow. This will be my third attempt, fourth really, to fix this issue.

Has anyone had something else done besides replacing the steering damper and/or cleaning the ground bolt that actually fixed the problem?
 

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There is a software fix that did it for me. I'm guessing they did that by now.
 
 



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