Steering Column problems of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler

Suspension failure: I've had issues with my steering column since having bought this vehicle. About a week ago my gear box fell out of the vehicle causing loss of steering control. I have been having issues with the steering column shaking violently since having it repaired. This shaking was also a problem for me about three months ago.

"takata recall" as of yesterday, December 14, 2015, a white tape started coming out of the steering column. A few weeks ago, the air bag light would come on and go back off which I thought was odd but, it went back out so I wasn't concerned and it never stayed on for any length of time. Then yesterday I get in my Jeep to go to work and as I turn the wheel out of my driveway, I could hear this noise like someone was wrinkling up paper. It is only eight miles from my home to work so, I kept listening to figure out what it was. By the time I got to work, there was a white tape coming out of the steering column. After work, I took it and had it looked at and was told that the "clock spring" is unraveling in the steering column. Usually this is only seen when you have been in an accident and the air bag has been deployed. I have never been in an accident so, it should not be unraveling inside the steering column. I was also told, I shouldn't drive my vehicle because there is a chance the air bag will deploy. I got it home and now it is sitting in my driveway.

The contact owns a 2007 Jeep Wrangler. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column was loose and needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Steering column shakes violently after hitting small bumps, usually in a turn. Very close to causing accidents due to the need to brake quickly to slow down and eliminate the shaking. Its very disapointing this is not published nor anyone acted on this. Incident has now happened approx 20 times and vehicle has no after market parts.

Brake light has been in forever, had checked, not an issue but. . . Began noticing on highway. Not so severe to have to stop to regain control. About a year ago iit happened at lower speeds, as few as 35mph, any uneven surface, bump, texture or level change sets it off. Tapping or use of the brakes. "death wobble" occurs. A slight tremor radiating from steering column then through the entire Jeep. So intense that it feels like the tires are turning sideways, maintaining control, steerin and braking extremely difficult. Regular braking does not help. Hars brake only. Haven't come to complete stop. I've always stopped, put back into park and turned it off. Thinking maybe some sort of reset may occur. It helps me to reset my own self anyways! very scary! especially if in a vendor curved part of roadway. . Brake light still on even after inspected (?) took into shop. Mechanic said ball joints needed replaced. Death wobble went away for a few weeks and it's back. Prior alignments~ only regular adjustments required. I tried to pay attention after this 'fix' and determined that braking (even just a tap) starts it and any surface change in the road older Jeeps had a simply fix, tightened a bolt on steering colum. My son is in training, did a visual inspection of the steering colum. Says seemed to me some extra play, nothing like a bolt loose but dark out, multiple components along column, unsure without a lengthier inspection. Nothing by sight. We stopped driving and took it in for inspection/replacement of front end balljoints. Tires have an unfamiliar pattern of wear. Using factory recommend tires, size and pressure. Very little off road. Mostly driven for in town/ highway driving. I hope this helps. Very very scary when this happens. Oh I've tried to outrun. Doesn't work. Lately I've shifted to 4thbeing and can usually regain control. .

While driving north at 65mph in the middle lane of a three lane (northbound)freeway, a small bump was encountered and the steering column shook violently until the vehicle was brought to a complete stop, still in the middle lane. The dealer said it was a steering damper problem ( a known "technical recall") and a "weak damper" (part # 02152001) was replaced with a "heavy-duty" steering damper (part # 52060058ae). The vehicle was returned today and driven without incident. The nature of the problem could have resulted in serious accident/injury but did not. The driver is not aware that Jeep has every issued a recall concerning this problem.

I have noticed an increase in give / leeway in the steering column at approx 15,000 miles. The problem increased to the point where there is a popping felt through the steering wheel as well as both the accelerator and brake pedals when light pressure is placed on the front wheels while turning (turning at low speeds through traffic circles, going over uneven pavement while turning, small bumps in the road, etc). The feedback felt continues to get worse until the point it feels unsafe to operate the vehicle. I have had the vehicle back into the only 2 Jeep dealerships within a 90 mile radius of my place of residence more than 3 times. At first the front end sway bar was replaced, to no avail. The 2nd time the steering column shaft was replaced, with only a short term alleviation of the problem. At first when the shaft was replaced, the steering felt as new (tight, with good control, and no feedback). After less than another 5,000 miles on the new shaft, the problem has returned and continues to get worse (currently at 23,000 miles). After speaking with the service manager at a local Jeep dealership, he has indicated there is no problem aware within Jeep to his knowledge, but has noted that he has had a few vehicles in his shop with the same problems.