Bad steering box 68418449AE

[NC_Overland]

Report back how they are to work with. I had some pretty bad experiences with capital CJD in garner. I won’t be going back there. The unfortunate part is they are 2 min from my office. But their service department it shit.

Will do. I dropped it off for service this morning. Not off to the best start, my service advisor thought that my complaint was that the steering wheel itself was actually loose, so I had to explain that the steering wheel is physically attached securely, but there is a deal spot in the steering and its loose and wanders on the hwy, its my 4th Jeep, its not like any of my other SFA Jeeps, etc. We shall see. I'm in a new Jeep Cherokee loaner. Its 4wd and the 2.0 turbo feels strong at least.

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[NC_Overland]

They're keeping it overnight. Last report was the shop foreman driving it and working on a diagnosis. I also have it there for the hard top wind noise. Its way louder on the passenger side than the driver's side. I'm taking this as a good sign that the shop foreman is working on it and actually trying to diagnose it. I just wish I had some update. Cautiously optimistic. I have a loaner so I'd rather them keep it overnight if it means it might actually get fixed correctly.

 

[HWKIGRL]

Thank you! So helpful! Just picked my JT up Saturday, had a 3+ hour drive home trying to do it “the right way” it felt “loose” but it’s a truck, it’s 4wd, I was making excuses...then had the scare of my life when we got hit by some wind on the grapevine, thought I was going off the side of the mountain. Still, blamed myself and thought maybe it was just windy, and me needing to get used to it after driving my Grand Cherokee but today I did a couple hours, “normal” drive to the beach up PCH and no better! I had to make a concerted effort to stay in my lane and two handed driving I’d say “driver’s ed” driving BUT I have no movement of wheels while moving steeering wheel from 10-2 (well really about 10:30-1:30) so my instructor would have failed me!! I’m going to call tomorrow ask them to look at Over Center before they put my new wheels and tires on later this week, don’t want them to use that as an excuse!!

 

[NC_Overland]

They're keeping it overnight. Last report was the shop foreman driving it and working on a diagnosis. I also have it there for the hard top wind noise. Its way louder on the passenger side than the driver's side. I'm taking this as a good sign that the shop foreman is working on it and actually trying to diagnose it. I just wish I had some update. Cautiously optimistic. I have a loaner so I'd rather them keep it overnight if it means it might actually get fixed correctly.

I got a voicemail this morning that they are ordering a new steering box. I hope I get a good one! Its five days out so I'll be driving this Cherokee for a while. It actually wouldn't be that bad if it had more options like my Loaded Overland, but its a hell of a lot cheaper so its pretty nice for its price point.

 

[furrymurray]

I got a voicemail this morning that they are ordering a new steering box. I hope I get a good one! Its five days out so I'll be driving this Cherokee for a while. It actually wouldn't be that bad if it had more options like my Loaded Overland, but its a hell of a lot cheaper so its pretty nice for its price point.

Maybe these dealer are finally picking up on the bad steering box issue? I have a new box being installed today or tomorrow, so we shall see if this box fixes the problem. I will report back as soon as I get to drive my Jeep.

 

[Scrubb84]

Good luck to everyone getting a new box. You know it took 4 for me to get a good one. They are built like garbage from the factory, but many are just good enough to start off with no play. The ball size in the worm gear is too small and the valving is off. Such a shame because this is the same box the JL’s have been having the same problems with for years. FCA/JEEP/MOPAR knows it, so they put a different part number on it and said it’s a “revised” box for the JT. What a bunch of scum bags.

 

[furrymurray]

Good luck to everyone getting a new box. You know it took 4 for me to get a good one. They are built like garbage from the factory, but many are just good enough to start off with no play. The ball size in the worm gear is too small and the valving is off. Such a shame because this is the same box the JL’s have been having the same problems with for years. FCA/JEEP/MOPAR knows it, so they put a different part number on it and said it’s a “revised” box for the JT. What a bunch of scum bags.

My new box was installed yesterday afternoon. The shop foreman will be driving my JT today to see if the problem is fixed. I really hope I don't have to do this 4 more times, that would drive ne nuts. Again, thank you for sharing your experience with us and giving us hope that there is a resolution to this steering problem. I take it that you still have no issues with the latest steering box your dealer installed?

 

[Bonanza]

Just installed 37s, and the steering deadzone problem, if it was masked before, is very much unmasked. I can swing the wheel 10-2 with no input to the wheels. I called the dealer, they said they've never heard of it before, but to bring it in. I have a receipt from yesterday from the tire install, and with so few miles I suspect they will have a hard time saying it's the tire's fault. I will update here with the response. But my wife feels the Jeep isn't safe, and I agree.

Edit- dealer now says they’ve heard of this “once before” on a JL. They suspect either a steering box (duh) or a drag link, which I doubt. Anyway they’ll update me tomorrow.

Edit 2-- Humble pie time. It was my fault. I forgot to properly torque the upper track bar bolt during my lift install. Dealer tightened it up, and it's back to normal again. Wife thinks its "much better". I didn't think a loose bolt there would cause the deadzone, but I suppose what I felt was a "deadzone" was just massive flex from the components. So, my bad.

 

[furrymurray]

Just installed 37s, and the steering deadzone problem, if it was masked before, is very much unmasked. I can swing the wheel 10-2 with no input to the wheels. I called the dealer, they said they've never heard of it before, but to bring it in. I have a receipt from yesterday from the tire install, and with so few miles I suspect they will have a hard time saying it's the tire's fault. I will update here with the response. But my wife feels the Jeep isn't safe, and I agree.

Edit- dealer now says they’ve heard of this “once before” on a JL. They suspect either a steering box (duh) or a drag link, which I doubt. Anyway they’ll update me tomorrow.

I am sorry to hear this happen to you. Your wife is right, it is not safe at all. Tell the dealer to check the box first and foremost. That way a bunch of time trying other things is not wasted. I wish you luck and hope your dealer takes care of the problem for you without a bunch of hassle.

 

[CMac]

Just installed 37s, and the steering deadzone problem, if it was masked before, is very much unmasked. I can swing the wheel 10-2 with no input to the wheels. I called the dealer, they said they've never heard of it before, but to bring it in. I have a receipt from yesterday from the tire install, and with so few miles I suspect they will have a hard time saying it's the tire's fault. I will update here with the response. But my wife feels the Jeep isn't safe, and I agree.

Edit- dealer now says they’ve heard of this “once before” on a JL. They suspect either a steering box (duh) or a drag link, which I doubt. Anyway they’ll update me tomorrow.

Jeezus Christ....do they live in a cave with their heads wedged up each others dark and remote locations?

I'm sorry...i was so stoked when Jeep came out with this truck--i have been a Jeep guy since the mid-80's--now i (along with so many others) have to deal with the Lemon Fatigue.

FIX YOUR S#!T, FOR FUX SAKE, JEEP!!!!

 

[Bonanza]

Jeezus Christ....do they live in a cave with their heads wedged up each others dark and remote locations?

I'm sorry...i was so stoked when Jeep came out with this truck--i have been a Jeep guy since the mid-80's--now i (along with so many others) have to deal with the Lemon Fatigue.

FIX YOUR S#!T, FOR FUX SAKE, JEEP!!!!

I'm curious to see what they'll say. I was also given a receipt for $155 in case they determine this was somehow my fault and they want to charge me for the diagnostic. But they guy seemed cool, and I'll wait for their determination before I unload. I'm not feeling great so far, however. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. I left a note on the dash for the tech, stating it wasn't death wobble, it wasn't wheel balance shimmy, it wasn't alignment, wasn't tracking issue, but just a dead spot. The work order said that as well, just a dead spot. So hopefully they do what's right.

 

[furrymurray]

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.

 

[furrymurray]

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!

 

[CMac]

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!

I'm very pleased to read this.

 

[Hockeypilot44]

I ordered my truck in January. Picked it up in April. I was terrified of the steering horror stories. I'm grateful that my truck drives fine. I can drive on highway with 2 fingers on wheel. Glad to hear they are starting to fix the problem trucks. No one deserves this aggravation on a brand new car.

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