New JT Gladiator Steering Issue TSB 08-074-20 (for "Improved Steering Feel")

[seven30]

Yes, you are correct. The software update is done after the steering gear is replaced as the software has to match the gear that's in the truck. If they update the software there'd be a mis-match. The TSB is very specific - if the customer complains of A, B or C or any combination, DO THIS. It doesn't say "try this first" (it does say to check for codes........... as there can be other errors)
The steering gear wasn't really that hard to get most of the time - I think the dealer shop was just stalling or something.
I'm taking my 2020 Overland to the dealer tomorrow to pick up my 2022 Overland. I'm hoping the new one steers, drives and handles as well as my 2020 did as that 20 was a dream to drive. Long drives were easy, not tiring, not stressful. It handled and drove beautifully (after the 2nd steering gear replacement). Hoping the new one does.
Interesting note that I took mine in, told them my thoughts, and said "you decide". Wasn't long they called and said "we need to replace your steering gear".
Then the second one went really nasty, wandered even worse - I took it in and said I think this one is worse than the first - the tech drove it around and came out and said "we need to replace your steering gear". There was no push-back, no hesitation, no balking, no arguing. It was "we need to replace............." both times. They told ME they needed to replace it. (of course I did hand them the TSB)

Yeah but how many jeeps have you bought from them

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[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah but how many jeeps have you bought from them

Not our last two. My wife's 2021 came from Spencer in north Iowa, my Gladiator came from across the county, a different dealer. We've bought from Dewey in the past - don't like their very amateur, sales kids and the constant "I have to check with my manager" bit.
I do usually use them for warranty work, WAVE stuff.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

In early 2021 I had troubles getting a steering box. After waiting several weeks, I got Jeep Cares involved and my steering box showed up the next day. Since then, I bought a used Wrangler and there was no waiting in summer of 2022. Same for a couple of friends with Wranglers. The boxes were in the warehouse waiting on the dealer to order now. Seems like supply caught up with demand some time back,,

That's where JeepCares does the most good - coordinating, communications, getting things lined up with higher-ups, like people on the STAR team. They are your front-line help desk types who have contacts up the chain.

 

[nyyankees]

Update: Got the call that they will need to update the steering box They're having it overnighted, keeping my rig tonight, and installing it tomorrow. I let them know I have a 6 hour drive the next day and they said I should be good to go with a new and upgraded part.

 

[Hootbro]

Update: Got the call that they will need to update the steering box They're having it overnighted, keeping my rig tonight, and installing it tomorrow. I let them know I have a 6 hour drive the next day and they said I should be good to go with a new and upgraded part.

That is a pretty tight schedule. Hopefully everything falls in place.

 

[nyyankees]

All good. Picked it up yesterday and drove it 5 hours straight today and the handling at higher speeds is tighter for sure and does not require the constant small corrections I had to do before. It’s almost strange because both my gladiators had loose steering and my TJ still does! All good though. Im pleased with my service center.

 

[seven30]

Ive mentioned this before. Why do so many J series Jeeps have a steering box issue? Are these steering boxes cutting edge technology lol. Id sure like to see one disassembled and analyzed because I just have a difficult time assigning these problems to simple quality control. I mean its not like FCA cant make good boxes. Look the GC old and new for example.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ive mentioned this before. Why do so many J series Jeeps have a steering box issue? Are these steering boxes cutting edge technology lol. Id sure like to see one disassembled and analyzed because I just have a difficult time assigning these problems to simple quality control. I mean its not like FCA cant make good boxes. Look the GC old and new for example.

Betcha FCA doesn't make the steering gear.
In the past, it was something like Saginaw - if they switched and started making their own - why? And when?
GC new is rack and pinion. I believe the WK saw the move to rack and pinion - taking a lot of the front suspension and steering from Mercedes. In fact, the steering knuckles and the ball joint design in the WK series was a lot like Mercedes.
The WK platform steering is way too quick and sensitive for me, IMO. I found myself seeing the Jeep "twitching" as if you move the wheel 1/4" the thing would almost want to turn a corner.

 

[seven30]

I think that twichy-ness you mentioned is something they are trying to combat by modifying the steering box behavior and its turning out to be more difficult than they expected. The old XJ/MJ Jeeps I owned were very twichy. I liked it but it was easy to see how some casual driver could get themselves into trouble.

 

[LiftedrubiconJT]

What warranty covers tsb work? Does power train warranty cover this?

 

[Hootbro]

What warranty covers tsb work? Does power train warranty cover this?

Steering is not covered in the Powertrain warranty. Would be covered in the basic 3/36K warranty.

TSB work generally is out of pocket if the defect does not fall within the windows of either warranty. If an actual safety recall or "campaign", then it will be covered by Stellantis/FCA regardless.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

What warranty covers tsb work? Does power train warranty cover this?

As @Hootbro said, if is out of the 3yr 36,000 mile or extended warranty then it's not covered.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What warranty covers tsb work? Does power train warranty cover this?

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin.
A TSB simply tells the shop how to fix a problem that Jeep knows about.
As already said very well by a couple of other folks here - if your truck is under the basic warranty, then any such work is covered. If it's out of the basic warranty, it's on you. TSB or not.

A TSB is NOT a warranty or defect advisory. It's a bulletin to help a shop figure stuff out that Jeep's STAR team knows about.

A campaign is for recalls, defects, etc. and there are RRTs that cover what some call recalls. Those are more typically covered by Jeep.

 

[sfjeldsted]

My 2021 has the wandering/constant correcting issue that many others seem to have. Its going in for the steering gear replacement this week even though it seems the TSB does not cover my year of Gladiator. I hope this works, the constant correcting is unacceptable. The dealer doing the work is the second one I had look at this problem. The first dealer said they "adjusted" the alignment, but I didn't get a before/after printout so I'm not sure if they did anything. I took it back again and they said there was nothing they could do. That made me take it to a different dealer and they recognized the problem and ordered the steering gear right away. Hopefully after a year this finally gets corrected. Current mileage is 13k, all stock except for the one size above stock tires, 275/70/18.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

My 2021 has the wandering/constant correcting issue that many others seem to have. Its going in for the steering gear replacement this week even though it seems the TSB does not cover my year of Gladiator. I hope this works, the constant correcting is unacceptable. The dealer doing the work is the second one I had look at this problem. The first dealer said they "adjusted" the alignment, but I didn't get a before/after printout so I'm not sure if they did anything. I took it back again and they said there was nothing they could do. That made me take it to a different dealer and they recognized the problem and ordered the steering gear right away. Hopefully after a year this finally gets corrected. Current mileage is 13k, all stock except for the one size above stock tires, 275/70/18.

You already have the new gear box in yours, not sure if it's going to correct your issue.

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