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2015 WK2 Crooked Steering Wheel

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2015 wk2
22K views 62 replies 31 participants last post by  Fatty239 
#1 ·
Did you buy / lease a new 2015 WK2 with a crooked steering wheel?

Some posts have indicated that the steering wheel was pointed a little "to the right" while driving straight down the highway, as it was on mine.

This is apparently caused by the auto transporter when the vehicle was strapped down during delivery to the dealer.

The fix is a front end realignment which is free if you catch it in the first 12,000 mile / 12 month period.

I want to collect data as to how widespread this issue is.

Please respond if this pertains to you, and please indicate your city / state location for mapping purposes.

I will not disclose your identity in the stats I plan to post on this thread in the future.

Thanks
 
#4 · (Edited)
In Michigan, 49127. Bought in 49097. Have the slight right crookedness in the steering wheel. Will be getting it taken care of next week when the dealer can finally fit me in.
 
#19 · (Edited)
LOL... geezus... if the shipper did something to make the steering wheel crooked, can you imagine what it would've taken to do that? You'd have far more of a problem than just a crooked wheel.

I'd have more respect for service writers or techs who simply said, "I don't know" as opposed to those who blow smoke up a customer's rear.
 
#20 ·
From a technical point of view, I believe in cause and effect, so if there's a bunch of wk2s in service that have this "minor" problem there should be a reason for it. The transporter theory has been around since 2013 (I found the earlier thread http://www.jeepgarage.org/f107/steering-misalignment-61083.html), so it certainly isn't just with the 2015 model year. Maybe the commonality is the air height adjusting "select terrain" & "rear load leveling suspension" which I think started with the wk2s. Who knows?
From a political point of view, I do like smoked butt as long as it's smoked with apple wood, hickory or mesquite, not bulls**t.
My "new" service manager may be a breath of fresh air or just another charlatan, only time will tell.
Thanks for the feedback.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Yes, I've read that thread. Some people are complaining of an off centered wheel, others are complaining about the vehicle pulling to the right or left. That could be one and the same problem or 2 separate problems.

I've had several vehicles that came with off centered steering wheels yet the vehicles tracked straight on the road. My 02 GC was one of many examples. I had several alignments done over the years with state of the art equipment... none ever got the wheel centered, even after I specifically requested that. My 14 GC is one of the few examples I've owned that has a centered wheel and tracks straight.

The transporter theory mentioned is speculation, without any real facts to back it up. Sure, it's possible that it could happen... but can you imagine what it would take to do that? If it can happen then there's a high probability that not only would you have an off centered wheel, the vehicle also wouldn't track straight on the road.

LOL... the only time I ever saw a wheel "forced" off center was when a friend of mine went sideways off a T-intersection on a ridgetop county road at 110 mph. The car flew over a 10 foot deep ditch, the passenger side wheels dug into the opposite bank of the ditch (the speed actually saved him from flipping the car) and he ended up spinning out harmlessly in a corn field. When he drove out and got back on the road he found that his steering wheel was 90 degrees off center.

If the wheel is that susceptible to being knocked off center in shipping then I would expect a lot more people to be complaining about this after driving their GC's on a lot of the piss poor roads we have across the country.

I believe that whatever is causing this points back to the factory.
 
#22 · (Edited)
My 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited came with a properly centered wheel and proper alignment. In a flat and level empty parking lot, I was able to run with no hands straight down the center line of a set of parking spaces with nearly zero drift.

My question is, since I noticed many here with the issue had similar models, how many have the Quadralift suspension? Mine has the standard Limited suspension, so I wonder if the air system could be an issue with alignment. I also have the standard size tires (18's), as opposed to the larger, low profile sidewall ones (20's).
 
#24 ·
my steering was as you describe (QL) from the dealer. brought it back and got a free 4wheel alignment no questions asked and resolved the issue.

it does seem very sensitive to road camber as I've got to use considerable force to keep it straight on certain roads. Perhaps thats just because its almost double the weight of any vehicle i've driven?
 
#28 · (Edited)
Here's another vote for the "off centered" steering wheel problem. I ordered my 2015 JGC, with the ORA II package (air suspension/18"wheels), in mid-February of 2015, and received it approximately 4.5 weeks later. The dealer was Marina Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep, in Webster, NY.

The steering wheel was initially "off center" to the right. I returned the vehicle to the dealer with this complaint, and they did a 4 wheel alignment, using a Hunter "Hawk-Eye" alignment rack. Along with the wheel off center, some of the camber settings, especially in the rear, were "off", also.

After being re-aligned, the vehicle tracked much better, but since I'm used to sports cars, it still seems a bit "ponderous" to drive. However, I should add that since my main usage of this Jeep will be during the winter, I swapped out the OE tires for a set of Nokian WRG SUVs, shortly after buying it. These tires, although being advertised as "all weather" have a strong bias toward winter traction. Therefore, they don't possess the firm dry weather grip of a regular "all season" tire.
 
#33 ·
I believe all of the adjustments are indeed under the car. The only "exception" is when they center the steering wheel & "lock it" in place with a tool that clamps the steering wheel to either the front seat or something else, and they then adjust the front toe - in. I'll be having it done on Wednesday this week to my Jeep, but I had a similar alignment done to my wife's Subaru this afternoon.
Let you know how it worked later this week. :thumbsup:
 
#36 ·
So mine was originally off to the right. They had my Jeep 5 days, aligned it and put four new tires on it. After leaving the dealer I noticed it's off to the left barely but enough to drive me nuts. The dealer says it's going to be off to the left or right because of the spline. Is this true? Can this thing really not be centered. This is a pic of the vehicle tracking straight but wheel to the left.... Vehicle Car Steering wheel Steering part Luxury vehicle
 
#43 ·
So mine was originally off to the right. They had my Jeep 5 days, aligned it and put four new tires on it. After leaving the dealer I noticed it's off to the left barely but enough to drive me nuts. The dealer says it's going to be off to the left or right because of the spline. Is this true? Can this thing really not be centered. This is a pic of the vehicle tracking straight but wheel to the left.... View attachment 60545

Mine is way worst that this ... Add maybe another 15deg...!!!!!
I bought it 2 weeks ago. It was perfect. Yesterday I paralle parked and left it there for about 2h with the wheels at maximum angle after backing up in a tight spot. When I drove off, the steering was off by at least 15-20 deg...!!!!!

It drives normal/strait but this is driving me crazy....?!?!?!
 
#37 ·
IMO, there's absolutely no excuse for a crooked steering wheel in a brand new vehicle. Zero, IMO. And if that means they need to take the whole assembly apart to fix it they should.

You might try contacting another dealership and see what they say about it.
 
#38 ·
I appreciate that, and I agree. I wrote that when I first entered the service department and after they said that. Lo and behold, I just got it back a few minutes ago and now it seems straight. I only drove it a couple miles home but I'm taking a trip to Los Angeles from Phoenix this afternoon and I'll certainly be able to tell if it's corrected. If not, I'll be taking it to another dealer and asking for recommendations in the Phoenix metro area.
 
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