Steering Damper

[Pookie]

Took my 2021 JT in to the dealership to have them look at some excessive play in my steering wheel while driving. I mentioned this to the dealer when I first bought the JT but the sales person said it was normal because it had electrical/hydraulic steering. After about 3000 miles, it got unbearable and I took it in. The service technician said the play was due to a faulty steering damper so it was replaced.

I've been driving the JT for a day or so but it seems the excessive play is still there but maybe a little less after the steering damper replacement.

Just wondering if anyone had experienced this? Is the steering on your JT pretty tight? I'm trying to decide if I should take it back again to the dealership for another look. I realize there's a couple TSBs on steering issues.

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[Casique]

2021 JT HA, I've a SLIGHT wandering too. I replaced the steering stabilizer with the Falcon Nexus 2.2 and it did not do anything at all. I'm taking it to Firestone next Saturday to make sure the alignment is correct before I do anything else. I also found the top nuts in the steering knuckles loose. I re-tighten to spec, but no change.

 

[Renegade]

Dealer service departments will deny it, but there is still a problem with steering boxes having too much play. If you’re willing, you can adjust the steering box sector shaft preload. That usually takes care of it. There are several instructional videos available, and it literally takes 5 minutes. A lot of people aren’t willing to do it because they are afraid to mess with it, or feel it’s something Jeep should fix.

 

[Pookie]

2021 JT HA, I've a SLIGHT wandering too. I replaced the steering stabilizer with the Falcon Nexus 2.2 and it did not do anything at all. I'm taking it to Firestone next Saturday to make sure the alignment is correct before I do anything else. I also found the top nuts in the steering knuckles loose. I re-tighten to spec, but no change.

Why dont you take it to the dealer since it's still under warranty?

 

[Pookie]

Dealer service departments will deny it, but there is still a problem with steering boxes having too much play. If you’re willing, you can adjust the steering box sector shaft preload. That usually takes care of it. There are several instructional videos available, and it literally takes 5 minutes. A lot of people aren’t willing to do it because they are afraid to mess with it, or feel it’s something Jeep should fix.

Thanks for the response. I think I saw that YouTube video by Tewltalk video on how to do that. It seems in the end he also ended up getting the steel/black steering box from the dealer.

Did you end up making the steering adjustment yourself? If so, did it work well?

 

[Renegade]

Thanks for the response. I think I saw that YouTube video by Tewltalk video on how to do that. It seems in the end he also ended up getting the steel/black steering box from the dealer.

Did you end up making the steering adjustment yourself? If so, did it work well?

Yes, I’ve done this on several Jeeps I’ve owned over the years. I did it to my JT’s aluminum box, and then also with the steel replacement box after it loosened up. All is good (for) now.

 

[Pookie]

Yes, I’ve done this on several Jeeps I’ve owned over the years. I did it to my JT’s aluminum box, and then also with the steel replacement box after it loosened up. All is good (for) now.

Thanks for the response. I'm planning to give it a try.

Is this an adjustment you have to make often or is it a set and forget kinda thing?

 

[Renegade]

Thanks for the response. I'm planning to give it a try.

Is this an adjustment you have to make often or is it a set and forget kinda thing?

My personal belief is that there needs to be an adjustment after a break-in period (maybe 5k miles). From there, it should be good for a while (maybe 20k miles). Realistically, there is friction and wear inside the box, depending on how hard you use it. If you’re on stock tires and just doing street driving, it will experience less wear. If you’re on 37s and off roading it hard, it will experience more wear. CJs had a ton of play in the steering, but the internet didn’t exist, so people just dealt with it. There’s not much risk in trying the adjustment. Just don’t go overboard and create too much internal friction.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My personal belief is that there needs to be an adjustment after a break-in period (maybe 5k miles). From there, it should be good for a while (maybe 20k miles). Realistically, there is friction and wear inside the box, depending on how hard you use it. If you’re on stock tires and just doing street driving, it will experience less wear. If you’re on 37s and off roading it hard, it will experience more wear. CJs had a ton of play in the steering, but the internet didn’t exist, so people just dealt with it. There’s no much risk in trying the adjustment. Just don’t go overboard and create too much internal friction.

Years ago, no - you never had problems. Now - I'm almost starting to agree.
I've installed new and reman steering gear over the years - tens of thousands of miles, no play. But these seem to have a problem after time.

As far as this bit on steering stabilizers - here we go again. NO, they do not correct anything. They were never intended for correcting wander or loose steering, they were never designed or installed for that reason. They aren't a fix for anything, really.

This is a quote from an expert in suspension and steering - not an armchair facebook expert -

>>On a properly designed and well maintained system, a damper's purpose is to mitigate the effects of bump steer and the sudden encounter of unexpected objects, such as hitting a rock in a trail at 50 miles per hour. On an improperly designed and/or poorly maintained system, a damper is used as a crutch to mask issues with suspension and tire errors.<<

It's not for death wobble, it's not for loose steering, it's not for wandering.

 

[Casique]

Why dont you take it to the dealer since it's still under warranty?

For me the dealer is always the last resort! I don't trust them!

 

[Pookie]

Years ago, no - you never had problems. Now - I'm almost starting to agree.
I've installed new and reman steering gear over the years - tens of thousands of miles, no play. But these seem to have a problem after time.

As far as this bit on steering stabilizers - here we go again. NO, they do not correct anything. They were never intended for correcting wander or loose steering, they were never designed or installed for that reason. They aren't a fix for anything, really.

This is a quote from an expert in suspension and steering - not an armchair facebook expert -

>>On a properly designed and well maintained system, a damper's purpose is to mitigate the effects of bump steer and the sudden encounter of unexpected objects, such as hitting a rock in a trail at 50 miles per hour. On an improperly designed and/or poorly maintained system, a damper is used as a crutch to mask issues with suspension and tire errors.<<

It's not for death wobble, it's not for loose steering, it's not for wandering.

Thanks for sharing this. That makes sense. It doesn't seem this new damper is doing much or anything to prevent the loose steering.

I wasn't expecting to do this at this stage of my JT ownership but I may have to take matters into my hands to resolve this loose steering.

 

[Pookie]

For me the dealer is always the last resort! I don't trust them!

Are you from Northern Virginia? I bought my JT there.

 

[Casique]

Lorton VA. But I bought in Maryland.

 

[Pookie]

Lorton VA. But I bought in Maryland.

Based on your previous response, I'm guessing you dont have any confidence in dealing with Jeep dealers in NOVA.

 

[Pookie]

Just an update. I had a brief discussion with my dealer's service area. They informed me unequivocally that the steering box on my 2021 cannot be adjusted. They will need to procure a new steering box to resolve an excessive play.

Based on what I've read and seen on this forum, the steering box can be adjusted to reduce excessive play. Any thoughts from anyone? Am I getting the run-around on this issue?

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