[jrein]

My new (7xx mi) 2014 V6 Limited 4X4 seems to have a very small amount of intermittant play in the steering. It presents itself mostly wile breaking under no steering loads, but sometimes at speed over rough surfaces with no steering loads. It is so silght that it can't be seen but felt through the wheel. It sort of feels like there's a small gap between two metal parts knocking together.

Has anyone else expereinced this? I'm reluctant to take it to the dealer and deal with the downtime only to be told they can't reproduce the issue.

 

[nickm]

It's the intermediate steering shaft. There's a tsb for previous years but not for 2014 yet. I'm surprised to hear you have a problem with it you would think they would have corrected this . My 2012 suffers from the same symptoms. I'm going to bring to the dealer soon.

 

[jrein]

Thanks for the reply, nickm. I've read about the intermidiate shaft issue but was thinking it must be a different issue due to mine being a 2014. I may sit on it until the first service is due, then take it up with the dealer. let us know how yours turns out.

 

[nickm]

I'll let you know good luck

 

[jrein]

I decided to take it in to the dealer and get the problem checked out. After waiting a few hours, they determined the movements of the differential actuator (can't remember exactly what they called it) was sending feedback through the steering and this was normal operation. I've driven three other WK2s, one outfitted exactly like mine, and did not experience it. Wouldn't have bought my Jeep if I did. In the few weeks I've had this car, it has been in for service three times already. Very disappointed. I don't want to spend the next several years driving a car with steering that feels like this, especially one I paid $40k for. Not sure what to do next, but I can only give up so much of my time sitting in a dealer waiting room.

 

[turbospartan]

I have something going on with my steering (2012 Altitude, v6, QTII) but I'm not sure it falls under that "thud" TSB.

Mine I can sort of feel a slight resistance when turning sometimes, almost like the whine when an older car's power steering fluid is low.

It only happens sometimes though, so I'm not sure what is going on.

 

[jrein]

Turbospartan,

I think we're having two seperate issues. I'm familiar with the feeling you get through the steering when you're low on steering fluid. Mine's behaving differently. Good luck sorting it out. Let us know if you do.

Update to my previous posts...

Feeling unsatisfied with my dealer's response that my Jeep is operating normally, I took it back in last week. This time, I rode along with a mechanic who acknowledged there's a problem. I pointed out that there's a TSB for 2011-12 WK2s regarding the intermediate shatft. The mechanic said there are often long wait times for the TSBs to be updated, suggesting the intermediate shaft may indeed be the problem. Nickm, I hope you turn out to be right! It will be nice to get this issue behind me. I'll update the thread with results.

 

[nickm]

Haven't done it to mine yet, my wife got rear ended and its in the shop

 

[jrein]

Got my car back Saturday with a new intermediate shaft installed. The steering improved significantly. Although it took three trips to the dealer to get it sorted, I'm glad I stuck with it. Also glad that the dealer was comitted to working on it until it was resolved.

 

[nickm]

Glad to hear that, but why did it take 3 trips to get it fixed?

 

[jrein]

The first time I brought it in, they told me what I was experiencing was normal operation. I brough it back a second time and was able to demonstrate the problem- it was much worse when the car was warm so we let it idle for while first. Dealer couldn't work on it then so we set an appointment for the following week.

 

[GCLimited]

The first time I brought it in, they told me what I was experiencing was normal operation.

Don't you hate when the dealership gives this bullshit response!