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

[ShadowsPapa]

I may ask them to use the nut from my sector shaft brace for the install...I forgot how much of a pain in the butt it was to break the OEM one free and dont really want to have to do it again if the tech is overzealous with the locktite.

Did you try heat on the nut to soften the Loctite™ ?
I wonder if acetone or MEK would help.
In the old days the nut was swedged in place using a punch and hammer in the thread right against the nut. Once you got the nut over that deformed thread, the rest was easy (relatively)

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[Hootbro]

I had a 3/4" drive set with a 4' breaker bar that made short work of my pitman arm nut.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I had a 3/4" drive set with a 4' breaker bar that made short work of my pitman arm nut.

My 3/4" drive set and breaker bar would make it a non-issue as well. That's what I use when I need to apply the 250 ft/lbs torque to AMC rear axle hub nuts, or to get the pinion crush sleeve crushed on the differentials. It's stout enough to put a chunk of pipe over it, too. It's actually made for that as the handle is totally straight and round, just the right size for a chunk of pipe. Originally bought it for putting the duals on my big Case tractor.
I wonder how my Milwaukee cordless impact would do? My friend says when it disassembles front suspension and steering parts for his restoration work, he doesn't even bother taking cotter pins out so I bought one just like what he had.

 

[Gren71]

Did you try heat on the nut to soften the Loctite™ ?
I wonder if acetone or MEK would help.
In the old days the nut was swedged in place using a punch and hammer in the thread right against the nut. Once you got the nut over that deformed thread, the rest was easy (relatively)

nope, I just had at it with the impact gun until it broke free.

 

[tampahoosier]

Brought my jeep in today and got confirmation I'm good to go on this TSB and parts will be ordered today. I was told it'll be about 10 days wait for the parts to ship and arrive.

Side note: The dealer didn't even test drive my truck. Plus, I already have the synergy bracket/sector shaft brace, Steersmarts tie rod/drag link/adj track bar, Steersmarts stabilizer relocation bracket and Fox 2.0 TS steering stabilizer.

He said generally there is a $55-110 fee to deal with the synergy stuff when doing this TSB fix, but they were going to waive that fee as well.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

nope, I just had at it with the impact gun until it broke free.

Like this?

 

[Gren71]

Like this?

corded but yea. It broke free just fine, just took some time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

corded but yea. It broke free just fine, just took some time.

Good man - patient. the key to most successes. Thumbs-up.

 

[BrightWhiteGladiator]

Went in to my dealer this morning for this with the TSB printed out and they didn’t give me a hard time or anything. They did say they checked the alignment first and it was all out of alignment from the factory (see attached) and to see how it feels after the realignment before they replace anything.

It does feel markedly better but I only drove it about 10 miles. Let’s see if it lasts or just post-dealer placebo... I’ll have my wife drive it for a few days — she is the wander whisperer!

 

[steffen707]

I checked, my inspection visit was already set up for next wednesday, so instead of calling today and bitching that all you guys already are getting yours fixed, I figure i'll just sit tight and let it progress normally.

Something about bees/flies with honey and not vineagar. lol

 

[TrainMan]

At the dealer. Said only 2% of Jeeps are affected. Most are fixed with a steering stabilizer. I call bs. They are testing it now. Said parts are 6 months out...i still say bs.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

At the dealer. Said only 2% of Jeeps are affected. Most are fixed with a steering stabilizer. I call bs. They are testing it now. Said parts are 6 months out...i still say bs.

BS is correct. the TSB TELLS THE DEALERSHIP SHOP HOW TO FIX IT. Geesh, if the customer complaint matches the symptoms listed in the TSB, the TSB instructs the dealer how to fix it. It's not an option for them. It's a directive.
Customer says xyz, TSB describes xyz, TSB says to fix xyz using these parts in this manner.
End of story.
Last I knew about TSBs it wasn't an option, especially if still under warranty.
They also would have no idea if only 2% are impacted - I'd bet even FCA isn't sure YET.
A steering stabilizer does NOT impact play in the steering. It's a bandaid, not a "fix".
Heck, a tightly stretched bungee cord would take play out LOL

 

[vega789]

Same experience here in SoCal.. service manager seemed very elusive and dismissive when I brought up the steering issues and mentioned the TSB. The person who wrote up my appointment was equally dismissive, but he did annotate the TSB number in my appointment notes while afterwards saying "ok it's in, let's see what they say". Not sure who "they" are but I hope they help me out. This was 3 days ago on Tuesday. My appointment is in 4 days next Tuesday.

Turns out my alignment was way out of specs at 415 miles. Said it was fixed but I still noticed a bit of wander and messaged the rep. He said he'll order the parts and get back to me
:D

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Turns out my alignment was way out of specs at 415 miles. Said it was fixed but I still noticed a bit of wander and messaged the rep. He said he'll order the parts and get back to me
:D

The ONLY thing that can be "aligned" on a Jeep without IFS is the toe and total caster - and caster requires parts changes. There's no factory adjustment for caster. If they said they changed caster, then they had to replace the lower control arms.
If they said they changed the side-to-side caster DIFFERENCE, they are full of BS - can't be done, period.
Camber also cannot be changed on these Jeeps.

In summary -
the ONLY thing they can align without parts is TOE. (AND recenter the steering wheel which can actually have an impact on wander)

With adjustable lower control arms, or longer arms, etc. - they can change caster, but only by the exact same amount on both sides (you can't twist the axle tube)

If one side is .5 degrees higher than the other as far as caster, it will always and forever be .5 degrees higher than the other side.
If they did change it +1 degree on the left then they also changed it +1 degree on the right.
Can't twist one side and not the other.

Sort of funny saying these things get aligned in a way........

 

[MrZappo]

Called my dealer. He said they have to drive it and confirm the issue exists.

He also said that I was the first person to call them with this issue.

Found that odd.

Next Monday. If they say it doesn't exist, I'll explain that it does.....

Until we are in agreement. As long as that takes.

Success !

Just returned from the dealer ... The service writer "explained to me" that they cant just be ordering parts !!! They must verify a problem exists per Chrysler protocols ...

They grabbed one of the mechanics (interrupted his lunch) and told him to go for a test drive with me ... He did not look happy ...

We went down the street (with me driving) ... He looked at me and said "Yep" looks like a problem ...
Parts on order ...

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