Wandering Jeep, need help!

[Amuller08]

Hello fellow jeepers!

So, like many of you, my 18 JLU is quite difficult to control. Been to the dealer more times then I’d like to admit, nothing has changed and im always told “it operates as designed” which, if it’s designed to wander all over great, but I doubt that’s the case. Been in contact with Jeep wave and customer care, they don’t help either. I’ve read a bunch of different stuff on the forums, but not sure where to start. Has anyone had luck with aftermarket parts? Tightening steering box? Anything? I think it time for me to attempt to correct it on my own since I can’t get the dealer to do anything helpful!

Was thinking of starting with some lower control arms to address caster, and align it with a little more toe-in. Any thoughts?

Was also considering a beefier track bar, maybe it’ll help keep the axle more centered while driving.

Any and all input would be great!

Thanks in advance!

Andy

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[RedJeep78]

Hmmmm it should have more play in the steering wheel than a sports car but it shouldn't be "wandering".
Maybe you should get a second opinion from another jeep shop.
Mine didn't wander before or after my lift and big wheel add on.

 

[Jeeper Fever]

First, check tire pressure.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-makes-huge-difference-in-ride-quality.24839/

If your tire pressure is 40+, yea, it will wander all over the road, seemingly at random. It is still bad at 37 psi, this is for 33 inch KO2s, and I strongly suspect the tire does not matter much. I run at 28 psi, 85+ mph, it does need steering correction, but it is not bad at all, and will track straight as an arrow on flat pavement, even if the pavement is rough.

The live axle does track any bank in the road, which can be troublesome in fast, negatively banked corners. Gotta slow down and watch for these kinds of turns. Also, the Jeep loves a little gas in the turns, helps settle the suspension.

This vid shows the delay in the steering box, this is important to know, that the steering has an input delay, seems about 200-300 ms:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...has-play-and-drifts.3691/page-202#post-586314

The steering box is not meant to be tightened, too much can cause binding, which means you can't turn it at all. It has a lot of leverage, so a little turn in the steering wheel is a very small change in the drag link, it can take a moment to bear out. I find I have to have the steering wheel flawlessly centered to make my Jeep drive straight, which as stated will only happen on perfectly flat, non-banked roads.

After tire pressure, a touch of toe in from a good alignment shop would be the next step. Also, have all the steering and suspension components checked for proper torque, with a torque wrench. Loose joints will cause problems. This is the next step for me, my Jeep drives fine, but would be even better if tracking can be improved. There is a TSB for the toe-in, search for a link on this forum, I have seen it posted.

Consider taking your Jeep to a good Off-Road shop, that specializes in this sort of thing. Have them do the torque check and alignment. They may know better, and be more conscientious, than a typical dealer service center.

Hope this helps.

 

[Amuller08]

@RedJeep78 I might take it to another dealer and see what they think! I’m not expecting, nor looking for sports car handeling, I’m aware how Jeeps feel I owned a LJ for 4 years and that drove beautifully. And drove a JKU for 2 weeks, also nice and easy to drive!

@Jeeper Fever I had the tires down to 32 for testing purposes, it felt a bit better but still felt like there’s no center of the box, like I’m balancing on pizza cutters. I have some 33s waiting to go on, but waiting/hoping to get some better feel out of the steering before the long some bigger tires at it! Maybe I’ll bring the PSIs back down and double check how it feels.

 

[Jeeper Fever]

Yea, I found 32 to still be kinda squirrly, just not as bad. Try 30, then 28. It can't hurt to check, and won't cost money. That is why set up is the thing to start with, it costs less, and nothing will be right unless the set up is right, ie. tire pressure, alignment, joint torque.

That said, the bushings are known to be soft, the drag link and tie rod are known to be weak and to flex, etc. Steersmarts Yeti gets the most reccomendations, and is therefore what I would go with if I did a lift or bigger tires.

Hope this helps!
Good luck!

 

[RedJeep78]

@RedJeep78 I might take it to another dealer and see what they think! I’m not expecting, nor looking for sports car handeling, I’m aware how Jeeps feel I owned a LJ for 4 years and that drove beautifully. And drove a JKU for 2 weeks, also nice and easy to drive!

@Jeeper Fever I had the tires down to 32 for testing purposes, it felt a bit better but still felt like there’s no center of the box, like I’m balancing on pizza cutters. I have some 33s waiting to go on, but waiting/hoping to get some better feel out of the steering before the long some bigger tires at it! Maybe I’ll bring the PSIs back down and double check how it feels.

Yeah it sounds like something is definitely off, especially since your not running big tires. I would really get this issue fixed first before you upgrade your tires. If you don't get the issue fixed through the dealer then I don't think that your warrantee will cover it. Definitely sounds like warrantee work to me.

 

[Rdmitch]

Have Jeep cares contact the dealer instead of you calling, it carries more impact .
Don’t let them buffalo you, it’s not the way it’s supposed to be, it’s a pain to drive and unsafe.

Paying this king of money for a car you don’t enjoy driving is just wrong. Don’t expect a Porsche, but don’t accept inferior. They have to do upgrades.

 

[Amuller08]

@Jeeper Fever , set the pressures to 32, and that actually helped a bit. Overall steering feels a bit tighter but still does not track well.

@RedJeep78 i thought it should be a warranty repair, that’s why I have my dealer multiple opportunities to address it, but they just say it’s fine. I’m not too happy about that.

@Rdmitch i was speaking with a rep from Jeep cares on this forum actually, they helped me get into contact with someone from Customer care. They helped me get the PCU flashed since that was a possible fix for it, that didn’t help. That also replaces the steering dampener, which to me doesn’t address the problem I’m having, but that didn’t do anything productive either.

I forgot to mention, I already check my ball joints. Those seemed like they weren’t tight enough. Torqued those and replaced the cotter pins but didn’t change much. I also informed customer cares, and my dealer a few times that my steering box has a knock! I don’t think they even looked at the box... but I believe that’s my problem. If holding the wheel “straight” almost feels like the wheels are catching that little amount of play and rocketing the wheels left to right which is what I’m always having to correct for. Anyone else had a knock at the output shaft of the box?

 

[Amuller08]

I was wondering, what do you guys/girls think about bringing it to another dealer? If I do, should I explain my situation? Or just go in like it’s a new complaint and see what they think?

 

[gpoverland]

Lots of threads. I’m suffering from the same issue. No fix as of yet. I’m thinking about replacing the steering box with something better than OEM, but haven’t found any options yet (mind you, started looking today).

 

[Jeeper Fever]

I was wondering, what do you guys/girls think about bringing it to another dealer? If I do, should I explain my situation? Or just go in like it’s a new complaint and see what they think?

Deffo.

Try it and see how it goes. If one shop can't or won't fix it, maybe another can.

FCA has got to get this sorted out.

Do not take "Jeep Thing" for an answer!

Lots of threads. I’m suffering from the same issue. No fix as of yet. I’m thinking about replacing the steering box with something better than OEM, but haven’t found any options yet (mind you, started looking today).

PSC, Performance Steering Components.

https://www.pscmotorsports.com/

There may be more, but PSC has been mentioned on this forum before.

 

[PavementWarrior]

I was wondering, what do you guys/girls think about bringing it to another dealer? If I do, should I explain my situation? Or just go in like it’s a new complaint and see what they think?

check your front end for shifting, we know the trackbar and drag link have weak/bad bushings and Mopar has newer parts per the star bushing,



Even with the new Mopar parts general opinion is they are tuning forks and problematic

 

[Amuller08]

During lunch today I took a minute to check for the knocking I feel in my box, on another JLs box, i don’t feel it in this other Jeep. @JeepCares any idea what I should do at this point? I don’t think my selling dealer even looked at it and I’ve mentioned it a few times.

 

[JeepCares]

During lunch today I took a minute to check for the knocking I feel in my box, on another JLs box, i don’t feel it in this other Jeep. @JeepCares any idea what I should do at this point? I don’t think my selling dealer even looked at it and I’ve mentioned it a few times.

Hi Amuller08,
We understand why this may be frustrating. I would be happy to have a case escalated for you. Please send our team a private message if this is something you would be interested in!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[dannko]

Don't listen to anyone at Jeep.

I took advice from some who actually fixed the issue as I did.

First you need an adjustable strong track bar upfront like the Rock Krawler, back also if you have a lift.

Second, replace lower control arms with adjustable ones and get your caster to 6-6.5 degrees.

Third, the main culprit, the steering box, turn adj screw clockwise 1/8 to 1/4 turn, this is the magic cure, and what I will assume is a total screwup by the factory in doing some general setting which is wrong.

Fourth, though it is not necessary it give a better feel to the steering, an adjustable damper like the Falcon 2.2

Then eventually the weak steering rod and drag link or whatever they are called will need replacing, but that is optional.

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