Hi everyone, this is my first post and I hope it adds value.
I've recently bought a new JL and I must admit that I was astounded that Jeep allowed this car to be released for road use, due to the woeful steering. I must have had 15 degrees of free play. I returned to the dealer the following day after collecting the car, only to be told it's the design and it's normal. A death trap isn't normal.
After reading many posts about wandering steering on early JLs I can confirm that the issue is still there on new models.
My JL is now 100% ok, with rock steady one handed relaxed steering.
It was the steering box adjustment, Jeep will not touch it, and to be honest I wouldn't want them too. Anyone with mechanical aptitude can do it just take your time, and make small adjustments, sixteenth of a turn at a time on the center screw. Mine took just short of a quarter of a turn, approximately 80 degrees.
The job is easier if you move the plastic air tube out of the way.
Before you slacken anything make a small reference mark on center screw, then take a15mm socket, and long extension and just relieve the tension of the locknut, then use a quarter drive 4mm hex socket with extension and driver handle and t bar, to hold the centre screw, take a 15mm spanner and back off the locknut a sixteenth of a turn while holding the centre screw secure. Then with your spanner and 4mm hex socket, tighten the locknut and let the center screw turn with it, finally nip it up with the 15mm socket.
Go slowly with adjustment as this is an alloy housing, and you don't want to crack it!
I've read about ball joints being loose, and software upgrades but my issues were purely down to a poorly set up steering box from the factory, and I would imagine that there are many more out there, as manufacturer specs will remain the same, ie incorrect.
My Jeep now steers like any other suv I've driven, iand it's a pleasure to stay in lane.
Hope this helps.
I've recently bought a new JL and I must admit that I was astounded that Jeep allowed this car to be released for road use, due to the woeful steering. I must have had 15 degrees of free play. I returned to the dealer the following day after collecting the car, only to be told it's the design and it's normal. A death trap isn't normal.
After reading many posts about wandering steering on early JLs I can confirm that the issue is still there on new models.
My JL is now 100% ok, with rock steady one handed relaxed steering.
It was the steering box adjustment, Jeep will not touch it, and to be honest I wouldn't want them too. Anyone with mechanical aptitude can do it just take your time, and make small adjustments, sixteenth of a turn at a time on the center screw. Mine took just short of a quarter of a turn, approximately 80 degrees.
The job is easier if you move the plastic air tube out of the way.
Before you slacken anything make a small reference mark on center screw, then take a15mm socket, and long extension and just relieve the tension of the locknut, then use a quarter drive 4mm hex socket with extension and driver handle and t bar, to hold the centre screw, take a 15mm spanner and back off the locknut a sixteenth of a turn while holding the centre screw secure. Then with your spanner and 4mm hex socket, tighten the locknut and let the center screw turn with it, finally nip it up with the 15mm socket.
Go slowly with adjustment as this is an alloy housing, and you don't want to crack it!
I've read about ball joints being loose, and software upgrades but my issues were purely down to a poorly set up steering box from the factory, and I would imagine that there are many more out there, as manufacturer specs will remain the same, ie incorrect.
My Jeep now steers like any other suv I've driven, iand it's a pleasure to stay in lane.
Hope this helps.