Bad steering box 68418449AE

[NC_Overland]

I almost cant contain my excitement about how my Jeep drives now!! Tell them to change the steering box and don't mess with anything else. I could have had my JT back a week ago if my dealer would have listened to me. They finally figured it out but a whole lot of time could have been saved had they checked the steering box first like I told them to. I don't know if there is some kind of procedure they need to follow or what, but every day that passed all I could do was shake my head. I am just glad it is fixed now!

That's great! I really hope I'm reporting the same results when I get mine back!

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[furrymurray]

That's great! I really hope I'm reporting the same results when I get mine back!

I hope so too!!! they should make it right that for sure.

 

[Factoid]

I picked my JT up with the new steering box installed yesterday evening. It is a night and day difference than before. This is how it should have drove from the factory. I am thankful I did not have to go through 3 or 4 boxes before getting a good one. My JT now drives amazing! I will keep you posted if anything changes but so far so freaking good.

Congratulations, man, that is awesome! Way to persevere!

 

[LoJac963]

Can't we deduce that as time goes on the trash boxes will eventually be phased out through replacements and all that will be left is the better boxes? Mine is not bad but annoying at times when windy and on the highway to the point of both hands on the wheel but I don't want to risk a new box with one just as bad or even worse.

 

[furrymurray]

Can't we deduce that as time goes on the trash boxes will eventually be phased out through replacements and all that will be left is the better boxes? Mine is not bad but annoying at times when windy and on the highway to the point of both hands on the wheel but I don't want to risk a new box with one just as bad or even worse.

I totally understand that logic LoJac. My steering was bad but not horrible since day one but it took me until 10,000 miles to finally bring it in. I wanted to be armed with as much information about this problem that I could. This Forum helped out tremendously as far as gathering intel about bad boxes and lawsuits against FCA because of them. My dealer tried to push the its normal thing at first but because of this Forum I was ready for it. I hope your steering doesn't get any worse but if it does please don't hesitate to bring it in.

 

[LoJac963]

I totally understand that logic LoJac. My steering was bad but not horrible since day one but it took me until 10,000 miles to finally bring it in. I wanted to be armed with as much information about this problem that I could. This Forum helped out tremendously as far as gathering intel about bad boxes and lawsuits against FCA because of them. My dealer tried to push the its normal thing at first but because of this Forum I was ready for it. I hope your steering doesn't get any worse but if it does please don't hesitate to bring it in.

I appreciate that. I know some have said when the boxes heat up the steering becomes worse. Given we are upwards of 110 already here in AZ I am being more aware of how the steering feels and I am slightly concerned with it becoming worse.

What made you take yours in a 10k? Finally fed up with fighting the steering? Did you have anything done to yours prior to taking it in. As some have mentioned, the dealerships love to blame the steering on other components if anything is aftermarket.

 

[furrymurray]

I appreciate that. I know some have said when the boxes heat up the steering becomes worse. Given we are upwards of 110 already here in AZ I am being more aware of how the steering feels and I am slightly concerned with it becoming worse.

What made you take yours in a 10k? Finally fed up with fighting the steering? Did you have anything done to yours prior to taking it in. As some have mentioned, the dealerships love to blame the steering on other components if anything is aftermarket.

My JT is basically all stock besides the Mopar 2" lift that was installed at the dealer before purchase. They did try to blame it on the lift at first even calling it a 4" lift. I remained calm and gave them facts and told the foreman that we needed to take a ride. I threw him the keys and said lets get on the intestate. Once he drove it at higher speeds on the highway he knew right away something was wrong. I waited until I couldn't take how it drove anymore and had enough information on the steering problems before I took it in. Probably not a good idea because of how dangerous it is but that's what I did. I hate that this is happening to people everywhere and FCA knows its a problem. Someone is going to get hurt or die because of this problem and that doesn't sit well with me. Please don't wait any longer than you have to before bringing it in.

 

[LoJac963]

My JT is basically all stock besides the Mopar 2" lift that was installed at the dealer before purchase. They did try to blame it on the lift at first even calling it a 4" lift. I remained calm and gave them facts and told the foreman that we needed to take a ride. I threw him the keys and said lets get on the intestate. Once he drove it at higher speeds on the highway he knew right away something was wrong. I waited until I couldn't take how it drove anymore and had enough information on the steering problems before I took it in. Probably not a good idea because of how dangerous it is but that's what I did. I hate that this is happening to people everywhere and FCA knows its a problem. Someone is going to get hurt or die because of this problem and that doesn't sit well with me. Please don't wait any longer than you have to before bringing it in.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I don't know if I try to justify NOT taking mine in since it really isn't terrible but it can be at times as I mentioned. Thanks again!

 

[Casique]

Good to hear new JTs are arriving with good steering boxes. Sounds like I can take the chance and place an order now. I was afraid to order and get stuck with a JT with bad steering.

 

[Bonanza]

So, a little egg on my face here. I had help installing my lift, and it appears we both thought the other would tighten the upper track bar bolt. We were both mistaken. The dealer caught the issue and tightened it, and it feels like a normal solid front axle vehicle again. Not perfect, but a lot better.

Whoops.

 

[DaveL]

Scrubb84 I appreciate this thread SO MUCH.

We have a JLU with vague sloppy steering. the emphasis on the JLWrangler forum is on replacing steering components. Some report success.

Love to have this steering fixed. Reminds me of old worn out cars when I started driving. Long ago. I got good at adjusting Pitman boxes. Steering boxes. But can't get to the one in the JL 2 L-turbo.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Mine has a hell of a dead spot in the middle of the steering...The Fox TS 2.0 steering stabilizer helped a lot of the wandering and oversteer, but the dead-spot is still there.

 

[NC_Overland]

I finally got mine back this morning. It does seem to be considerably more sensitive. I haven't had a chance to drive it on the highway yet. I noticed in the notes, that the Jeep tech noted that he drove it on the highway for seven miles and it steering was very loose and recommended a steering box replacement.

 

[furrymurray]

Mine has a hell of a dead spot in the middle of the steering...The Fox TS 2.0 steering stabilizer helped a lot of the wandering and oversteer, but the dead-spot is still there.

I would bring it in to the dealer and have them drive your JT at highway speeds. It sounds to me like your steering box is bad. Putting the Fox Stabilizer on and even the sector shaft brace are just band-aids covering the real problem. I also bought both of those items to install but I brought it to dealer before so they didn't have any excuses about after market parts causing the problem. I still plan on installing those parts to strengthen it and make it tighter if possible. Making the choice to bring it to the dealership was the right thing to do and it paid off because my steering is great now. I wish you the best of luck and hope they do the right thing and fix your steering if you decide to bring it in.

 

[furrymurray]

I finally got mine back this morning. It does seem to be considerably more sensitive. I haven't had a chance to drive it on the highway yet. I noticed in the notes, that the Jeep tech noted that he drove it on the highway for seven miles and it steering was very loose and recommended a steering box replacement.

Did they replace it? Or was it just a recommendation by the tech? They need to change it out and get a new box in there for you. Keep us posted on what happens and how your JT drives.

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