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Why did you buy a Jeep with bad steering?

Mickgolf00

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You don't really notice it at first until you take it out on the interstate trying to drive in a straight line.If you just drive it around the dealership without going onto the interstate you probably won't notice it. When I bought my Jeep there where no posts about steering and advanced warning of the problem. I wasn't expecting 2 inches of steering play in a new vehicle. To all the people who think it's a solid axle thing, it's not. Every vehicle I own has a solid front axle. Before your jeep get's here test drive others and when you find a bad one you will know what to look for.
Same here. Took me a while to notice the Lane drift and looseness. I didn’t investigate until I almost got into an accident.
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seals02

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Many of you mentioned a computer update for steering? Could someone provide specifics? I've been to several dealers without resolution. My steering issue wasn't noticed on test drive. Highway driving reveals the issue on mine. thanks
 

bzjeep

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For me, I didn't notice how much wandering the Jeep was doing until I broke my hand and was forced to drive with one hand for a month. At that point, I took it in and they performed the TSB which has for the most part resolved the issues I was experiencing. The play is still there, but it no longer wanders or jumps all over the road when I hit a bump or dip.
 

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NewsShooter

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I test drove multiple JLs, every single one had the horrible steering. But, I knew that it was an electronic steering motor powering the pump and I made a bet that a software flash would cure it...and it did. So, I am happy I went ahead and brought one home.

Unfortunately, dealers/people/FCA started jacking around with the steering boxes before they gave the software fixes time to make it around the nation so now we've got hardware issues too and it has compounded the problem.
Steering isn't good on ours, dealer says there isn't anything wrong with it. Yet when driving down the freeway I can move it 1-1.5 inches either way without any steering input. Kind of like the 72 Ford PU I had in high school with a bad steering box.
 

MountainGurl

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My new JLU Rubicon doesn't have the "steering problem" at all. It's responsive and yes, different than the Toyota Highlander I drove before. Also I noticed that when I reduced the ridiculous 43 psi air pressure in the tires provided by the dealership to 37, the car became less "twitchy" while cornering. So far, so good. Hoping it stays that way!
 

musicaldoc

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Hi, could you please explain me the issue?

I have had a Liberty (actually a Cherokee in Italy) from 2007 to 2013, steering wheel had an inch apx of free movement but wasn't a surprise.
I now have a Mini Cooper and a 2005 BMW 330 and both have a super fix and sensitive steering, but this summer I have rented in Hawaii for 3 weeks three 2017 Wranglers from Dollar car rental and I was astonished how well I could drive at fast pace the 4 door wrangler on the Haleakala mountain curves
On the highways I haven't felt problems even if I am used to the Mini "Kart" steering wheel feeling.
Is it a true problem the one I am reading here regarding the JL?... I'm taking in consideration to buy a 2018 Rubicon, the new Wrangler we can buy in Italy now.
Thanks
 

NCJeepn73

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I didn't drive mine long enough on the test drive to notice the slop in the steering. The test drive involved about 3 to 4 miles and almost entirely all straight away/ 4 lane highway separated by a medium. I did notice a little play but nothing like I did later on in the evening when driving the vehicle home on a really narrow, two lane country road with curves, dips, unevenness, etc. I emailed the dealership back that night and the saga began.
 

Encycloman

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Sorry, I swear I'm not being a jerk who is rubbing salt in wounds. I have a 2 door Rubicon on order and I am curious to why those who are having play in the steering problems bought the thing. Did the issues creep up after purchase? Were they not noticed during purchase due to the excitement level of a new Jeep? As I said, I have one on order and I'm both excited and already mentally prepared that it will have play in the wheel and I will have to walk away.
I took a test drive, but did not notice much...the experience was fun and all new. Took it after delivery on a trip, and spent a lot of time correcting the steering. Kind of like driving in mud or dep snow. The main problem? The steering shaft can move about 5 degrees before it stops and contacts the gears. I do not think software will mesh the gears any better. Debating whether to split for a new gearbox. My wife's offroader is rock solid. You cannot turn the wheel with slop, and moving it even with the engine off makes the wheels want to turn.
 

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HiJinx69

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Hi, could you please explain me the issue?

I have had a Liberty (actually a Cherokee in Italy) from 2007 to 2013, steering wheel had an inch apx of free movement but wasn't a surprise.
I now have a Mini Cooper and a 2005 BMW 330 and both have a super fix and sensitive steering, but this summer I have rented in Hawaii for 3 weeks three 2017 Wranglers from Dollar car rental and I was astonished how well I could drive at fast pace the 4 door wrangler on the Haleakala mountain curves
On the highways I haven't felt problems even if I am used to the Mini "Kart" steering wheel feeling.
Is it a true problem the one I am reading here regarding the JL?... I'm taking in consideration to buy a 2018 Rubicon, the new Wrangler we can buy in Italy now.
Thanks
The issue seems to be that some JL's drive very good and some drive really bad. This is in regards to there being a lot of play in the steering causing you to constantly correct for the drifting from one side to the other. It seems this can be said to any JL regardless of whether it was an early build or a newer one off the lot.
 

HiJinx69

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Many of you mentioned a computer update for steering? Could someone provide specifics? I've been to several dealers without resolution. My steering issue wasn't noticed on test drive. Highway driving reveals the issue on mine. thanks
Some JLU's came off the factory line with the 2DR JL software. Your dealer can check to see if your JL is affected and will flash your software with the proper one.
 

HiJinx69

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Sorry, I swear I'm not being a jerk who is rubbing salt in wounds. I have a 2 door Rubicon on order and I am curious to why those who are having play in the steering problems bought the thing. Did the issues creep up after purchase? Were they not noticed during purchase due to the excitement level of a new Jeep? As I said, I have one on order and I'm both excited and already mentally prepared that it will have play in the wheel and I will have to walk away.
My problem started when the original steering box was replaced due to lock ups. It was never an issue before until it was replaced.
 

Firemadz

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My new JLU Rubicon doesn't have the "steering problem" at all. It's responsive and yes, different than the Toyota Highlander I drove before. Also I noticed that when I reduced the ridiculous 43 psi air pressure in the tires provided by the dealership to 37, the car became less "twitchy" while cornering. So far, so good. Hoping it stays that way!
Same for me.
 

MSteeves

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Our JLU Sport drives like a dream. My wife loves it, on highway/interstate and off, as do I. We have had no steering 'issues,' nor any others, in the three months we've had it.

Does pretty good in the water, too.

MedanoPassGreatSandDunes09222018 _MS (63).jpg
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