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

[ShadowsPapa]

What does a service writer even do? Paper work, billing? Everytime I walk in they're just sitting up to computers and there's never a queue//line.

Some actually know a bit about vehicles, some don't know much of anything........... other than how to schedule work. I've run across some who may have been a mechanic in early years, others who said a 5 tire rotation was never done (and yet the Jeep book says if you have matching wheels, it's recommended)

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[MMMII]

Yes. In your drivers side wheel well, lift up on the inner liner at the frame. That’s where the p/n s/n sticker is.

Bam!

So at freeway speeds, 98% of the play when tracking straight is now gone (YMMV). Can’t say I had huge problems like others experience (maybe an 1”, 1.5” of play at center noticeable more at freeway speeds).

 

[LoJac963]

Bam!

So at freeway speeds, 98% of the play when tracking straight is now gone (YMMV). Can’t say I had huge problems like other experience (maybe an 1”, 1.5” of play at center noticeable more at freeway speeds).

Damn I guess that answers my question. I was trying to rationalize not having my truck in the shop for this since my steering isn't terrible, similar to yous. BUT with that much of an improvement I think I have to!

 

[Scrubb84]

Bam!

So at freeway speeds, 98% of the play when tracking straight is now gone (YMMV). Can’t say I had huge problems like other experience (maybe an 1”, 1.5” of play at center noticeable more at freeway speeds).

Nice. Do u have any freeplay in the steering wheel when the motor is off?

 

[MMMII]

Nice. Do u have any freeplay in the steering wheel when the motor is off?

I can feel tension when I turn it. Not sure if that answers your question @Scrubb84.

I compared to my X5 and the BMW has more tension than my JT. Probably not fair to compare to ”the ultimate driving machine” .

 

[Scrubb84]

I can feel tension when I turn it. Not sure if that answers your question @Scrubb84. I compared to my X5 and the BMW has more tension than my JT.

Yes. Thank u! My first 3 boxes were insane. Eng on or off the steering wheel would move from 10-2 + with absolutely no effort. My current box (#4) has a much better feel/resistance, but the 2” deadzone (no movement at the pitman arm) is still there. 5th times a charm?

 

[basicGlad]

Damn I guess that answers my question. I was trying to rationalize not having my truck in the shop for this since my steering isn't terrible, similar to yous. BUT with that much of an improvement I think I have to!

Mines the same. 1" of play. More noticeable at highway speeds but still makes you nervous driving.

Still trying to get my dealership service dept to start the process.

 

[JRegister]

So I brought my Gladiator in on Friday because the back window is leaking in multiple places when it rains, and I also went ahead and mentioned the steering issue.

My Gladiator for sure pulls to the right, and it wanders on the highway.

I gave my Service Advisor the Service Bulletin number but she couldn't find it in their system (I should have brought the print out). She said they would check it out.

After leaving it with them for the day, she called me back and said they were done. She said it needed an alignment so they did that... and no mention of ordering parts or anything related to the Service Bulletin.

Needless to say, it still pulls to the right, and it still wanders. Definitely not happy because it feels like they just ignored me regarding the Service Bulletin.

I have to bring it back in so the glass people can fix the back window... So I'll probably just bring in the printout this time and let them know the alignment didn't help.

 

[JKABBQ]

Earlier in the thread I mentioned I called my dealership’s service department and was told they would call me back. Well it’s now Saturday and no call back so I decided to follow up. Fortunately I got a hold of the service writer I’ve mainly dealt with and she was completely on the ball. She said no problem, she’ll get a hold of the parts manager and find out when the parts come in and I’m booked in. Since they know I’ve had an issue with steering wandering this definitely won’t be a problem getting me in.

Previously they installed a Fox Steering Stabilizer for me gratis to correct the wander that was even more noticeable after they installed the Mopar 2” lift. That said, I’ve already got a history with the dealership and my Gladiator.

Just waiting now to see if Canada can get the parts sooner than later...

 

[Wilsonb80]

How do you know if you have a 5SY sales code?

 

[DaveL]

Bam!

So at freeway speeds, 98% of the play when tracking straight is now gone (YMMV). Can’t say I had huge problems like others experience (maybe an 1”, 1.5” of play at center noticeable more at freeway speeds).

Excellent. Thanks for posting.

 

[WhippetTaxi]

Not sure if I’m just lucky or naive, but I don’t seem to have the steering issues that many are experiencing. My Rubicon is a 2/2020 production date with stock suspension and ~1,100 miles. No comparison to the steering in my Lotus, but still not all that bad (at least yet). I think I’ll hold off until my first oil change in a few months and mention it to my service manager at that time.

 

[rolape2]

Coming from an F350 4x4 CrewCab dually with 230,000 miles and parked next to a 2003 35' motorhome with a straight axle, My Gladiator steers like a dream, However my wife pointed out the wander. She drives an F150 FX4 with almost 100,00 miles. Made me take notice. She is right is does wander. It is just not as bad as what I am used. I will wait until those that need it bad get theirs done to schedule mine. On a weird note. I took my snow tires off, LT255/70R17, and put on Duratrac LT265/10R17 load range C. The Jeep was more stable with the Duratracs. Even a friend who had only driven twice commented.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yes. Thank u! My first 3 boxes were insane. Eng on or off the steering wheel would move from 10-2 + with absolutely no effort. My current box (#4) has a much better feel/resistance, but the 2” deadzone (no movement at the pitman arm) is still there. 5th times a charm?

I think it was you that compared our steering box play - I went out to mine and turned the steering column shaft and noted that it had basically no play - turn that shaft and the pitman moved. There was pressure either direction. I didn't get even a half inch of play in the steering wheel. You could turn that shaft quite a bit before the linkage below reacted.
There should naturally be a LITTLE movement because you don't want binding but it should react fast.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not sure if I’m just lucky or naive, but I don’t seem to have the steering issues that many are experiencing. My Rubicon is a 2/2020 production date with stock suspension and ~1,100 miles. No comparison to the steering in my Lotus, but still not all that bad (at least yet). I think I’ll hold off until my first oil change in a few months and mention it to my service manager at that time.

Mine has no steering issues. I drove it in roughly 80 mph winds last Monday, kept it between the lines even though I was going stupid fast on I35 trying to get home before the worst of the storm. I was zipping around anything and everything in my way and not going fast enough for me. At speed and with those huge winds bashing at us, it handled and steered just fine. I'd drive it anywhere without fear or worry about the steering. It handles as least as well as my Silverado. I move the wheel, it reacts.
I have 8,200 miles on it, a November 2019 build.

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