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Updated front trackbar with stiffer bushings coming to help cure STEERING issues 68394087AA

californiajeeping

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Note: The new and improved track bar has been available as of late February 2019. So it can be ordered now. Also, there is a reference to a 2 door in the Star case. It is referring to a 2 door TSB. This Star case applies to both a 2 and 4 door JL.

Star Case Number S1819000003 about steering problems was just updated on Feb 26, 2019. See screen grabs of the part about the new JL track bar with stiffer bushings and the new toe info below. The old track bar number was 68317849AA. The new track bar part number is 68394087AA.

starcase JL track bar.png


starcase Toe.png

And here is the toe spec info -

toe spec.png


Here are just a few of the steering related threads.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691/ (over 3,000 posts)

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/steering-wheel-wobble.16577/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ring-is-good-tight-no-wander-no-wobble.21691/

Helpful links

Original version of this Star case from Oct 2018 - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-142#post-426243

JL Torque Specs - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...rangler-jl-steering-related-components.18510/

JL Toe Specs - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...heel-alignment-specs-toe-caster-camber.17832/


FULL ISSUE BULLETIN BELOW:

S1819000003 Feb 2019 updated version-1.jpg

S1819000003 Feb 2019 updated version-2.jpg

S1819000003 Feb 2019 updated version-3.jpg



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Hgrace

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Well this looks promising for many. But will it become a National recall?
 

NFRs2000NYC

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The problem is the trackbar is hollow and weak, as is the draglink, and can't handle the job, especially with larger tires. Replace those this solid quality parts and you'll be golden. Dont waste your money on stabilizers.
 

fat_head

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Any chance you can post all the pages of the STAR case? All I see is one page.
 

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Will aftermarket still be a better option? Don’t want to wait around for this to recall
 

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californiajeeping

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Will aftermarket still be a better option? Don’t want to wait around for this to recall
If the dealer feels the new track bar will fix the problem, then it would be covered under warranty.

About aftermarket parts, I spoke with a few different dealers and asked them how it would affect my warranty if I put on aftermarket parts, such as a beefier track bar, drag link, etc. All of them said depends - for example, if your engine or A/C has a problem, and you installed a drag link, no problem. If I installed an aftermarket track bar or drag link and the problem was steering box related, they would either refuse to look at it or charge me for the steering box and labor to install it since the steering parts can directly affect each other. There are several posts throughout the forums with others who stated the same thing.

For example, someone posted that they put on an aftermarket steering stabilizer and the dealer refused to address the steering problems. I quoted the The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and they gave an example - if a bad OEM steering stabilizer can cause problems and make a steering box go bad, so could an aftermarket steering stabilizer. Sure, you could take them to court to proceed, but that is expensive and once you mention lawyer or court (which they like because that is an instant way they can kick the can to someone else and get you off their backs), they kick it up to FCA corporate and then it takes forever to go to the next step. Or you could drive 3 hours to a dealer who is more aftermarket parts friendly, unless someone lucked out and their nearest dealer is aftermarket parts friendly. And of course, you could always put the OEM part back on before you bring it to the dealer, but what a pain. Here is an example of dust voiding warranty.
 
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fat_head

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Will aftermarket still be a better option? Don’t want to wait around for this to recall
I have my eye, and in some cases, have already purchased some aftermarket suspension parts that I have yet to install because of the wandering steering problem. I want them to sort it out ALL STOCK before I start spending money replacing/upgrading parts. The dealer I'm working looks for any and every opportunity to get out from under warranty work.
 
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californiajeeping

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Any chance you can post all the pages of the STAR case? All I see is one page.
I sent it to Jay / forum administrator to post in the TSB, Issues, Recall thread earlier today. It should be uploaded in the next day or so. It is exactly the same as the original star case S1819000003 in the TSB, Issues, Recall thread except for the part that I posted in this thread and the date is Feb 26, 2019, instead of October 10, 2018. They updated the same star case instead of creating a new one. Bad idea since dealers will say "yeah, I know about that one". Yes, but they won't realize it changed since they don't get proactively notified plus the changes aren't on the first page.
 
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californiajeeping

californiajeeping

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I have my eye, and in some cases, have already purchased some aftermarket suspension parts that I have yet to install because of the wandering steering problem. I want them to sort it out ALL STOCK before I start spending money replacing/upgrading parts. The dealer I'm working looks for any and every opportunity to get out from under warranty work.
Have you tried changing the toe-in to 1/8" to solve the wandering problem? Every dealer seems to say it is in spec and won't fine tune it - but now you can print Star case S1819000003, highlight the part about the new toe-in recommendations, and wave it in their face.
 

Mattyp1214

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Will aftermarket still be a better option? Don’t want to wait around for this to recall
I didnt want to wait and went ahead and got yeti HD. Thing is a beast. I'm sure new trackbar still won't even come close to this thing.
 

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californiajeeping

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I have my eye, and in some cases, have already purchased some aftermarket suspension parts that I have yet to install because of the wandering steering problem. I want them to sort it out ALL STOCK before I start spending money replacing/upgrading parts. The dealer I'm working looks for any and every opportunity to get out from under warranty work.
Here is another thread supporting what you said about aftermarket parts and warranty - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...termarket-steering-components-warranty.24841/
 

Mattyp1214

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I have my eye, and in some cases, have already purchased some aftermarket suspension parts that I have yet to install because of the wandering steering problem. I want them to sort it out ALL STOCK before I start spending money replacing/upgrading parts. The dealer I'm working looks for any and every opportunity to get out from under warranty work.
If you are having a lot of issues I'd let them try and fix it first. I did not have any issues other than bumps at high speed would throw my wheel off and handling became pretty rough. Put on track bar to help.
For the steering issues I'd start with the steering box replacement and stabilizer together. Seems to be the ticket for a lot of folks if it is really loose.
 
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californiajeeping

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If you are having a lot of issues I'd let them try and fix it first. I did not have any issues other than bumps at high speed would throw my wheel off and handling became pretty rough. Put on track bar to help.
For the steering issues I'd start with the steering box replacement and stabilizer together. Seems to be the ticket for a lot of folks if it is really loose.
Makes sense, and someone in a post a few days ago said their dealer via FCA indicated the bad date code steering stabilizers were causing steering boxes damage.
 

Rdmitch

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new track bar and steering box should get you about 60% better
 
 



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