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Had Steering Box TSB Done And Now I Hate My Gladiator

Badweather

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Can anyone tell me what model year Jeep corrected the steering issue. My 2022 Mojave has the Jeep wander but honestly all my Jeeps behaved this way so I have just lived with it. If there is something other than a better stabilizer (already done) would love to know what it is.
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bleda2002

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Can anyone tell me what model year Jeep corrected the steering issue. My 2022 Mojave has the Jeep wander but honestly all my Jeeps behaved this way so I have just lived with it. If there is something other than a better stabilizer (already done) would love to know what it is.
2021's with a build date after september 2020 I believe had the new box. Just look at it, if its black its the steel box. It will still wander a bit, its a solid axle and low on caster, but it shouldnt have giant dead spots in the steering.
 

legend007

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My 2020 has 21k miles on it and is just hitting it's 3 year anniversary. While the steering wasn't horrible, I thought I should take it in and try to get the steering box TSB done under warranty. I was planning on keeping this for a long time as I really like it. I put the stock wheels and tires back on so I wouldn't have to deal with the dealership blaming the 33x12.50 tires for the wander. TSB completed and new box installed. Immediately when picking it up I noticed the steering was significantly heavier. I only drove it home and thought maybe it would loosen up after some miles. FF to today for my first opportunity to put some more miles on it. There's now a huge dead spot in the steering. On the interstate if I'm in the right lane, the wheel is turned to left with noticeable pressure to hold it on the road. Move to the left lane and the wheel is turned right equal pressure to keep on the road. Center lane it's like I'm bouncing back and forth in the dead spot zone to keep it in the lane.

The steering is much heavier than before the TSB. Even with the stock tires on it, parking lot maneuvers take much more effort (2 hands instead of 1) than pre-TSB with the 33x12.50's. It's completely taken away the "nimbleness and maneuverability" that I loved about the truck.

Next up for me will be to see if I can identify the play in the system causing the dead spot. Who knows, maybe it was there before but I didn't notice as the steering was so light. Then call the dealer to take it back in. I'm not optimistic about the results at the dealer.

Wondering if anyone else noticed this major increase in steering resistance after the TSB. It would seem this might be do to the software upgrade that goes along with the box replacement. If that's the case, it would seem that it could tuned back out of it. I did some searching and was unable to locate anyone saying they did that with JScan or another tuner.

Moral of the story; if you're ok with your vehicle the way it is, don't try and fix it. I'm a bit sick to my stomach now.:(
Had this done on mine and no issues. Works great. I would take it back to the dealer and have them re-align and check it out.
 

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Can anyone tell me what model year Jeep corrected the steering issue. My 2022 Mojave has the Jeep wander but honestly all my Jeeps behaved this way so I have just lived with it. If there is something other than a better stabilizer (already done) would love to know what it is.
You're referring to the steel gearbox. But even after the gearbox replacement, the pitman arm nut, steering box bolts, and balljoints, etc. still have to be checked for proper torque. There have been issues with them coming from the factory not properly torqued.
 

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The dead spot and or free play you can attempt to address on your own with the set screw on the gearbox, but with it being brand new I'd take it back to them first.
You could and probably should check to be sure that they properly torqued all of the bolts and nuts correctly.
It's not hard for a mechanic to get distracted in a dealership and forget that he left something finger tight before he got pulled away for a few minutes, or even hours to do something else.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...torque-values-all-of-them-in-one-place.67915/
 

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I will take it back. I generally do all my own work (including alignments on my track cars). It's tough to find a dealer tech that would take as much care of my truck than I would. The truck is now officially out of warranty.

Just laid under it while my wife moved the wheel through the deadspot. Seems all of the play is in the box itself.

Check the alignment and the toe is at 0". While some toe-in would be useful, it won't fix the 2 things that are happening now. Large dead spot and seemingly not enough boost. I would love to hear from others that actually have experience with the having the TSB done and if they felt the boost level was too low after the work.
I had the tsb done in my 2020 a while back. I have no issues and it feels pretty much like when I brought it in except a little tighter steering. Not as much slop.
 

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My 2020 has 21k miles on it and is just hitting it's 3 year anniversary. While the steering wasn't horrible, I thought I should take it in and try to get the steering box TSB done under warranty. I was planning on keeping this for a long time as I really like it. I put the stock wheels and tires back on so I wouldn't have to deal with the dealership blaming the 33x12.50 tires for the wander. TSB completed and new box installed. Immediately when picking it up I noticed the steering was significantly heavier. I only drove it home and thought maybe it would loosen up after some miles. FF to today for my first opportunity to put some more miles on it. There's now a huge dead spot in the steering. On the interstate if I'm in the right lane, the wheel is turned to left with noticeable pressure to hold it on the road. Move to the left lane and the wheel is turned right equal pressure to keep on the road. Center lane it's like I'm bouncing back and forth in the dead spot zone to keep it in the lane.

The steering is much heavier than before the TSB. Even with the stock tires on it, parking lot maneuvers take much more effort (2 hands instead of 1) than pre-TSB with the 33x12.50's. It's completely taken away the "nimbleness and maneuverability" that I loved about the truck.

Next up for me will be to see if I can identify the play in the system causing the dead spot. Who knows, maybe it was there before but I didn't notice as the steering was so light. Then call the dealer to take it back in. I'm not optimistic about the results at the dealer.

Wondering if anyone else noticed this major increase in steering resistance after the TSB. It would seem this might be do to the software upgrade that goes along with the box replacement. If that's the case, it would seem that it could tuned back out of it. I did some searching and was unable to locate anyone saying they did that with JScan or another tuner.

Moral of the story; if you're ok with your vehicle the way it is, don't try and fix it. I'm a bit sick to my stomach now.:(
I'd take it back have them recheck the alignment and pitman arm something doesn't sound righg
 
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Take it back. Some (not all) dealerships are doing the repairs correctly. I did a video on mine over two years ago about an issue immediately after my TSB replacement. It may or may not be your issue. But it's worth a look.
I think I saw that video before. Thanks for sharing it. It's not the pitman arm nut though. There is play in the box itself from my inspection last night.

Did I misread something in the OPs original post, he says he was getting it fixed while still under warranty, then later (on same day) says the truck is out of warranty.
Yes, misread something. Work completed July 27th. Truck sat in my garage until August 10th. 3 year Anniversary (warranty expiration) is August 8th.

Did the dealer flash the ECU?
I don't know that I have a way to confirm that other than ask. The paperwork just says, "Completed the TSB work". The labor is not itemized.

You might want to check you got the correct box for your vehicle
Well I'll be darned. It's the wrong box. 680507569AB is what's listed on the invoice. HTF do they make a mistake like that?
 

tysongladiator

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I think I saw that video before. Thanks for sharing it. It's not the pitman arm nut though. There is play in the box itself from my inspection last night.



Yes, misread something. Work completed July 27th. Truck sat in my garage until August 10th. 3 year Anniversary (warranty expiration) is August 8th.



I don't know that I have a way to confirm that other than ask. The paperwork just says, "Completed the TSB work". The labor is not itemized.



Well I'll be darned. It's the wrong box. 680507569AB is what's listed on the invoice. HTF do they make a mistake like that?
I was going to say that another issue I had was the the four bolts for the box were not torqued either. Did a a video on that as well. Supposed to be 99 ft/lbs and one bolt was around 35.

But I just saw that they gave you the wrong box!!! Ummmm........ What the hell????? How does that happen??‍♂
 

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I was going to say that another issue I had was the the four bolts for the box were not torqued either. Did a a video on that as well. Supposed to be 99 ft/lbs and one bolt was around 35.

But I just saw that they gave you the wrong box!!! Ummmm........ What the hell????? How does that happen??‍♂
Inattention to detail. We have a world full of it.
 

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My 2020 has 21k miles on it and is just hitting it's 3 year anniversary. While the steering wasn't horrible, I thought I should take it in and try to get the steering box TSB done under warranty. I was planning on keeping this for a long time as I really like it. I put the stock wheels and tires back on so I wouldn't have to deal with the dealership blaming the 33x12.50 tires for the wander. TSB completed and new box installed. Immediately when picking it up I noticed the steering was significantly heavier. I only drove it home and thought maybe it would loosen up after some miles. FF to today for my first opportunity to put some more miles on it. There's now a huge dead spot in the steering. On the interstate if I'm in the right lane, the wheel is turned to left with noticeable pressure to hold it on the road. Move to the left lane and the wheel is turned right equal pressure to keep on the road. Center lane it's like I'm bouncing back and forth in the dead spot zone to keep it in the lane.

The steering is much heavier than before the TSB. Even with the stock tires on it, parking lot maneuvers take much more effort (2 hands instead of 1) than pre-TSB with the 33x12.50's. It's completely taken away the "nimbleness and maneuverability" that I loved about the truck.

Next up for me will be to see if I can identify the play in the system causing the dead spot. Who knows, maybe it was there before but I didn't notice as the steering was so light. Then call the dealer to take it back in. I'm not optimistic about the results at the dealer.

Wondering if anyone else noticed this major increase in steering resistance after the TSB. It would seem this might be do to the software upgrade that goes along with the box replacement. If that's the case, it would seem that it could tuned back out of it. I did some searching and was unable to locate anyone saying they did that with JScan or another tuner.

Moral of the story; if you're ok with your vehicle the way it is, don't try and fix it. I'm a bit sick to my stomach now.:(
Did they do the software update? Is it the correct steering gear for the JT? (there's a later TSB making sure they use the correct parts). Did they center the steering wheel perfectly after the steering gear replacement?
And finally - my first replacement went bad after a while - they replaced it again and it was great after that.
 

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You're referring to the steel gearbox. But even after the gearbox replacement, the pitman arm nut, steering box bolts, and balljoints, etc. still have to be checked for proper torque. There have been issues with them coming from the factory not properly torqued.
And make SURE they used a NEW pitman nut. They are not supposed to re-use any bolts or nuts - all new hardware, period.
 

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Hootbro

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Well I'll be darned. It's the wrong box. 680507569AB is what's listed on the invoice. HTF do they make a mistake like that?
You are not the first one that has happen to.
 

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Can anyone tell me what model year Jeep corrected the steering issue. My 2022 Mojave has the Jeep wander but honestly all my Jeeps behaved this way so I have just lived with it. If there is something other than a better stabilizer (already done) would love to know what it is.
How is your tire pressure? They generally ship from the factory with 42 PSI and many time the dealerships when they do the PDI, do not lower it to the door label spec of 37 PSI. Even then, many to include myself will run a daily in the 30-32 PSI. There is also a chalk test method you can google if wanting to gain best contact vs. actual used PSI.
 

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You are not the first one that has happen to.
No kidding. It was such a problem that Jeep had to color code things and point it out to make SURE it's the correct steering gear. Thus at least 3 revs of the TSB - I bet if I dug there could be a 4th.
If it hadn't been such a common mistake, we'd likely be on rev 1, or maybe rev 2 of that TSB - I say rev 2 because techs were also using a one time use nut over again. (Jeep's got to be scratching their heads now and then about how in the world can this even happen)
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