Popping noise in steering.

[graepaep]

I had the steering box TSB performed. A few months ago I noticed a popping sound when turning the steering wheel at low speed or sitting still. It seemed to be coming from the steering box where the pitman arm connects.

I took it into the dealership and they said jeep is aware of the issue and currently working it. However, it is continuously getting worse and becoming a safety concern for me. It is now popping even at higher speeds. I called the dealership again and they still just said jeep is still working on it.

Has anyone had this issue and had a resolution?

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[4xjeepr]

I had that issue after having TSB done last year. Started about 2 months after replacement. Went back to dealer, tech told me my new steering box was bad and ordered a newer one. Replaced about a week later and have had no further problems out of it.

 

[graepaep]

I forgot to update.

Went back to the dealership because it was becoming a safety concern. Told them I wanted something in writing saying that they were waiting on a fix.

I got a different service person this time and felt like he took me seriously. He brought out a tech to check it out. When turning the steering you could see the wheels jerk when it popped.

Tech made some adjustments and had it fixed in less than 30 min. Have about 2k more miles on it since then and no popping.

I'm happy its fixed but kind of pissed that it could have been fixed so easily the whole time.

 

[Mball488]

I also had a popping noise after I took my jeep to the dealership for the TSB. Two mechanics could also hear and feel it when turning the wheel but had no idea where it was coming from. About 30 minutes of listening and turning the wheel back and forth one finally pin pointed it. The Steering stabilizer nut that has the metal plate attached to it had come loose and when the wheel is turned it clicks and bangs against the housing. Easy fix and haven't seen the problem since.

 

[stew7710]

At 3700 miles mine has started making the popping noise on the driver's side when turning the steering wheel. Anyone have a picture of the stabilizer nut, I'd like to try and tighten it.

 

[JeepCares]

At 3700 miles mine has started making the popping noise on the driver's side when turning the steering wheel. Anyone have a picture of the stabilizer nut, I'd like to try and tighten it.

Hi stew7710,
We'd suggest visiting your dealer for diagnosis and any necessary repairs. If you'd like any additional support from us alongside your dealer, feel free to send us a PM.

Sarah
Jeep Cares

 

[Jeepmonster]

This thread hadn't been active, but I'll add my experience here in case others experience something similar. About a month ago, I started noticing a popping/clicking noise when steering. Like others, I also had the steering TSB done. After much troubleshooting, it turned out to be a loose pitman arm nut. I had tightened all four ball joints and tie rod ends, but nothing changed. It wasn't until I had my son move the steering wheel (with engine off) while I was underneath. As the steering wheel was wiggled back and forth just slightly, I was able to loosen the nut with my hands. Once I tigthened it, the noise was gone. Mine had a 42mm (1 5/8) hex nut.

 

[slim chance]

went in this past monday for my first oil change, 5,300 miles, service advisor says FCA is replacing the cotter pins on the upper and lower ball joints of Jeeps, so set up an appointment for today ... i have had NO problems with steering wonder/noise, yet

 

[IamPro2A]

went in this past monday for my first oil change, 5,300 miles, service advisor says FCA is replacing the cotter pins on the upper and lower ball joints of Jeeps, so set up an appointment for today ... i have had NO problems with steering wonder/noise, yet

No popping noise while turning, but I did hear clunking from the front end last night going over a small pothole while parking. It was pouring rain, so I wasn't climbing under to look, but it sure felt like bad ball joints. The TSB out there for replacing the cotter pins is because the ball joints may not be torqued properly on a range of JLs and JTs and the castle nut loosens up. Hopefully that's "all" my problem is. I'm not going to be happy if a 10 cent cotter pin is all that's keeping my front suspension from falling out at 85mph, but at least a safety device will have done it's job.

 

[slim chance]

here in PA we do NOT have small pot holes .. our pot holes resemble man holes without covers ... cause we have the highest gas tax in USA

 

[IamPro2A]

here in PA we do NOT have small pot holes .. our pot holes resemble man holes without covers ... cause we have the highest gas tax in USA

Well, this was only in my parking lot. And don't underestimate Connecticut. They're just sneakier about it. Yea, they "only" have a 25 cent per gallon gass tax compared to 57 cents I think for PA, but...
CT also has a 8.1% wholesale tax on gas, plus a fee that effectively makes in 8.9%. Of course, the retailers only make a few cents per gallon profit, so they are passing that wholesale tax right on to the consumer. So at current prices, we're taxed over 70 cents per gal right now. Which is why they are so willing to suspend the 25 cent tax for a few months in an election year.

 

[IamPro2A]

No popping noise while turning, but I did hear clunking from the front end last night going over a small pothole while parking. It was pouring rain, so I wasn't climbing under to look, but it sure felt like bad ball joints. The TSB out there for replacing the cotter pins is because the ball joints may not be torqued properly on a range of JLs and JTs and the castle nut loosens up. Hopefully that's "all" my problem is. I'm not going to be happy if a 10 cent cotter pin is all that's keeping my front suspension from falling out at 85mph, but at least a safety device will have done it's job.

So I just climbed under it with an adjustable wrench in the parking lot at work, and the lower ball joints are maybe torqued to 10-15 ft lbs at best. I just tightened them against the cotter pin for now, since I'm supposed to be working not F'ing around with my jeep.

One interesting thing I noticed is the listed final torque spec for the lower BJ is 33 ft lbs with the suspension loaded, but the TSB says 59 ft lbs unloaded.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Interesting, I never had the popping noise description here but early on after I purchased my JT February 2021, I got under the front and back suspension bits and retorqued everything. Just as you described, everything was super loose. 90% of them needed tightening. The ride after was real nice.

 

[WhyNotJeep]

I have a new '22 that has a build date of 2-22. Just wondering if these many TSB's get done on new ones as they get built and the TSB's are found.

 

[IamPro2A]

I have a new '22 that has a build date of 2-22. Just wondering if these many TSB's get done on new ones as they get built and the TSB's are found.

Yes, that's why there is usually a date range. After the end date, the problem was presumably addressed on the assembly line.

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