2020 gladiator 4x4 issue feels like the trucks coming apart when engaged and working (video included)

[levesqueonline]

So I found my gladiator to actually not be that great in the snow, infact my 2016 ram was twice the truck coming out of my driveway, but different vehicles, different benefits.

well I think there may be more to the story than it just isn't good in the snow, since it started getting worse, sounds like its coming apart when the 4x4 is engaged.

got a dealer appointment for the 28th, will be interested to see.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/h84EZJkuRkh2Jxkr8

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[InvertedLogic]

That's not normal. You're not flooring it are you? If there is low traction and high power applied, it can cause axle hop. I only ever experience it in deep snow with lots of throttle.

 

[levesqueonline]

not flooring it at all nope, and certainly no deep snow here, loss of traction causes that wildness

 

[Rocksalt]

OP let us know what your dealer says. My 2020 Sport S has been doing the same thing in snow, with little to no throttle.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Um, no deep snow and you're engaging 4H while turning? That's not loss of traction... that's too much traction. It's not slippery enough for 4x4 where you're using it. It's owner error and it damages the transfer case and potentially other driveline components.

 

[levesqueonline]

Um, no deep snow and you're engaging 4H while turning? That's not loss of traction... that's too much traction. It's not slippery enough for 4x4 where you're using it. It's owner error and it damages the transfer case and potentially other driveline components.

without 4H engaged it wont make it up the driveway. its slipper slow, just not deep. no bare ground.

Again, no 4x4 vehicle i have ever owned acted like its ripping itself apart will report back from dealer they are taking it tomorrow.

 

[Rahkmalla]

without 4H engaged it wont make it up the driveway. its slipper slow, just not deep. no bare ground.

Again, no 4x4 vehicle i have ever owned acted like its ripping itself apart will report back from dealer they are taking it tomorrow.

Was the vibration only while turning? Because every 4x4 vehicle would do that if it had traction if it's in 2H or 4H (but not 4A if the vehicle has it)

 

[PlayfulBird]

In the video it sounds like ABS or traction control events taking place. It seems like it is only happening when steering in which case I agree with @Rahkmalla.
How steep is the driveway?
What tires are you running? An inch of snow unless there is ice under it, or it was compacted, should really not be an issue.

 

[levesqueonline]

Was the vibration only while turning? Because every 4x4 vehicle would do that if it had traction if it's in 2H or 4H (but not 4A if the vehicle has it)

Nope, happens going straight up the hill after the hairpin or starting at the bottom, anytime it feels slippage is what it feels like.

my frontier for example goes up the same hill without issue, barely know 4x4 is engaged, different systems, but very different result, keep in mind the video is likely not doing how bad that shaking is justice

 

[levesqueonline]

In the video it sounds like ABS or traction control events taking place. It seems like it is only happening when steering in which case I agree with @Rahkmalla.
How steep is the driveway?
What tires are you running? An inch of snow unless there is ice under it, or it was compacted, should really not be an issue.

Its a slipperly wet snow that packages, so even though there isn't much it is bad for traction, the jeep came with copper winters. driveway is 15-20 degree

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Kind of hard to tell in the video because I can't see the speedometer or wheel angle or outside to know how fast you're going, but didn't the first year or two Gladiators have an issue with rear axle hop? They added that stupid helper shock to the top of the pumpkin to help control it.

Again, without seeing more, it sounds kind of like the rear is hopping, especially at the start as you first give it gas, it seems to rev up a good bit like there's some wheel spin going on, maybe?

For the speed you're going that doesn't seem like the right frequency at all for drivetrain bind as a result of the wheels being cut, it's too fast of a vibration. Usually it's more of a grab-release-grab-release feeling.

I'm kind of leaning towards shock damping and tire pressure

::edit:: I just want to add to this, it takes very little wheel spin and/or power to get a bad wheel hop going in snow, when the conditions are just right. I've done a good bit of winter wheeling with other solid axle vehicles. It's a feedback loop of the tire grabbing a bit of snow, slipping, jumping forward, and taking another bite, that compounds. When the temps/pressure/damping is just right even a well set up rig can experience it at certain speeds and the fix is to hit it again at a different speed lol. Or a poorly setup rig can experience it all the time.

 

[PlayfulBird]

Just read the https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gladiator-in-snow-disappointment.40056/
And I think it adds some context to this issue. Interesting read, interesting opinions.
Sucks we can't just all come over to your place and try our different rigs (I know Quadra Drive II and similar Systems handle this with ease)

So now, not only does it not ride well in snow, but also started this vibration. You say violent. Then it must be something along the lines of hopping axles...
What concerns me:
You have done the entire game of TC off, this that and the other things.
You already have a winter tire, so you should have the best possible chance to succeed and a lot of traction compared to other tires. Does make me wonder if it gains a lot of traction due to it being a winter tire and then slips and repeats this over and over to make the vibration.

@BlueScapegoat is probably on the money.

And who knows, some are just unlucky and have a faulty shock or something else that upsets the balance even when the vehicle is still pretty new.

Just to add, we were hit with a few weeks with decent frost and snow. Took advantage to learn about the Gladiator, shoes for winter are the Geolanders G015 which are 3 peak rated ATs at 29 PSI. I was able to spin the wheels and modulate this with both TC ON and TC OFF, had decent breaking distances and more than enough traction. Was able to easily switch from 2wd in 4wd going up and down hills and had very little concern about losing control. This is the 3.6 and I did give it a bit more gas (due to that sometime got a little momentum, than I was used to) to get the rev range on some inclines. On a Diesel I would have manually shifted, just let it crawl in a low gear(this is what I am more used to.).

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

does it do this in 4 low?
Have you considered having someone watch (safely from a distance) the underneath (front then rear) of the truck when this occurs? Seems something should be easy to spot. I wonder if the rear driveshaft carrier bearing is the issue? keep us updated!

 

[levesqueonline]

does it do this in 4 low?
Have you considered having someone watch (safely from a distance) the underneath (front then rear) of the truck when this occurs? Seems something should be easy to spot. I wonder if the rear driveshaft carrier bearing is the issue? keep us updated!

I dont think I have ever used low, but its got bumper to bumper warranty so will let the dealer hopefully rectify I took the video so they could see in advance of it coming as its it could be hard for them to replicate

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

I dont think I have ever used low, but its got bumper to bumper warranty so will let the dealer hopefully rectify I took the video so they could see in advance of it coming as its it could be hard for them to replicate

if it were me, id take 2-3 more. at least two from the exterior and one of the instrument cluster. You current video did show some shaking but you did just film the vent. lol More info is always good.

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