Warning: JL steering issues

[Jl-Family]

**** Warning: Many of us are having problems with unresolved steering problems on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL. I wish someone would of shared this advice before my purchase, so I thought I would share this advice with you to save you the anguish. The 2019 models may or may not have this same issue, but be sure to check first before paying for your new Jeep Wrangler. ****

Summary: After reducing the tire pressure to the door jam advice of 37PSI, some of us are still having loose steering problems with our JL. The current TSB (Technical Service Bulletin), steering recalls, front end alignment, tightening the loose ball joints, etc. are not fixing the problem. Some dealerships will deny the existence of the steering problems on the Jeep Wrangler JLs, others will confirm it. Basically there is excessive play in the steering wheel causing you to constantly make corrections just to keep the vehicle in the lane. And the steering gets worse the warmer it is outside - like in the upper 80s or higher. Of course Wranglers are going to drive more like a truck, but they shouldn't be dangerous to drive either. Many JLs do not have this steering issue, so it looks like there must of been a bad batch of parts vs a design flaw. Point is, see the advice below to see if your brand new Jeep Wrangler JL has steering problems that can't be fixed, yet.

Evidence:

A. Steering thread 1: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/loose-steering-feels-like-it-has-play-and-drifts.3691

B. Steering thread 2: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...e-problem-with-jl-wrangler-please-watch.6723/

C. Steering thread 3: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/wrangler-steering-issues-survey.12343/

D. More steering threads: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/search/11827647/?q=steering&o=date&c[title_only]=1

E: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: https://www.nhtsa.gov

F: Steering problem survey: Survey Results: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...xM0ZQzjhMVaXo8TICWUZN3xrsSpGo3g/viewanalytics (screen capture below)

G. There is a spike in Google searches on Jeep Wrangler steering related keyword phrases. Date range is 1/1/2004 to 8/27/18. Source: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2004-01-01 2018-08-27&geo=US&q=Jeep Wrangler steering. According to the Google keyword tool, there were 6,345 searches for Jeep Wrangler steering related keyword phrases in the last 30 days.

H. Law firms creating dedicated web pages for Jeep Wrangler JL steering problem related lawsuits. Example (search Google for even more examples): https://www.lemberglaw.com/2018-jeep-wrangler-problems-complaints-lemon/

Advice:

My advice would be to buy a JL from the lot vs ordering it, but drive it on the highway first for at least 30 miles to verify the steering problem doesn't exist. Be sure to check the tire pressure first and that it matches the door jam recommendations. Over inflated tires can make the handling poor. If you have to order it, check for the steering problem before paying for it. When one is excited when it first arrives, it is difficult to see the problem unless you get on a highway where it gets way worse.

To check (existing inventory or one you ordered) have someone sit in the drivers seat, start the steering wheel at 12:00, then slightly turn it while you watch the steering shaft and tires. You can see the steering shaft by opening the hood and looking where there steering wheel shaft would continue down to the front of the vehicle. You don't need to crawl under it to see it. All 3 should all turn in sync with maybe a tiny bit of delay, but not 1 to 3 inches of slop between the steering wheel and the tires. Otherwise, you will have difficulty keeping it in the lane while driving, looks like your drunk driving, and as someone else said so accurately, their old John Deere lawn more drives better.

@JeepCares

Thank you for this post ! My jl is having this steering issue , there is a dead spot in the center and I’m constantly correcting the steering , I’m sure it looks like I’m drunk driving . My dealer keeps telling me it’s a wrangler so it’s not gonna drive like a car . This steering issue is unsafe . I hope we can get this fixed soon.

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[jimmydarnell]

I know this topic has been beat to death but this thread looks to be the most helpful of all the ones I have read on this site and others.

 

[jimmydarnell]

I don't know.... I have gone into very few steering threads but each one I do it all sounds like the user doesn't have experience with a solid front axle vehicle. I'd say this one is the same. Comparing a Jeep to a car is clearly wrong, but even comparing it to a truck or SUV is wrong. You need to be comparing it to other vehicles with a solid front axle. No SUVs these days use a solid front axle besides the wrangler and very few trucks do. I know Ram is still using solid front axles on the 2500 and 3500. I believe GM killed the solid front axle on their 3/4 and 1 ton trucks in the early 90s. Pretty sure Ford isn't using a solid front axle on their F250 either, maybe on the F350. But basically unless you're coming from a 3/4 ton+ Ram, a Wrangler, or a pretty old truck you have no experience with a solid front axle and how its steering should feel. IMO most of these "steering issue" threads are just people who are new to solid front axles. Maybe Jeep should get with the now and move the Wrangler to an independent front suspension. These threads would go away and the ride quality would improve. But we'll see an increase in threads complaining about the difficulty/price of installing lifts and broken axles.

Ive had 6 different Jeeps ranging from YJ to JK's. None had steering like this. Would also ask if you get time to show me the play in your steering wheel going 55 without altering your direction.

 

[jimmydarnell]

The JL is the first to have steering like this, hyrdo electric assist. I'll try to remember to get you video when I return home next week

Thank you Sir. I have seen plenty of examples of bad steering issues but not a "good" one for comparison.

 

[Kyanche]

Thank you for this post ! My jl is having this steering issue , there is a dead spot in the center and I’m constantly correcting the steering , I’m sure it looks like I’m drunk driving . My dealer keeps telling me it’s a wrangler so it’s not gonna drive like a car . This steering issue is unsafe . I hope we can get this fixed soon.

While I do definitely believe that people here are having problems with their steering, I can kinda understand where the dealer people are coming from when they say that. JKs require constant steering correction as well, the question I'm wondering is how bad it is in the JLs.

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