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

[ShadowsPapa]

According to TSB and Service tech needs to be the new steel bolts.

They are larger bolts than the original used so they can't possibly use the old ones.

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[HWKIGRL]

If it makes you feel any better I was in a Renegade for 4 days lol, a Latitude. It did have only 4200mi and it steered well, which was kind of nice again.

The Compass they loaned me had 14 miles, brand spanking new, drives nice. The super tight steering actually had me driving a little erratic around the first block almost took out a parked car when the little thing went right as soon as The steering wheel moved lol...
It’s tiny but a nice little vehicle if I can’t find a good used wrangler at a reasonable price for my son we might go Compass or Renegade, considering everyone in Cali has gone bats?:t crazy and wants $14000-20000 for a 20-25 year old wrangler with 150000 miles and I can get a 2-4 year old loaded 4x4 compass or renegade for the same or slightly more ...this loaner may work out well for the dealer lol!!

 

[HWKIGRL]

They are larger bolts than the original used so they can't possibly use the old ones.

I’m happy they want to follow the TSB to a “t”...I’d much rather wait for the correct fix then have them Try to make it work with the old ones, he didn’t mention they were longer (why would he lol) just that they were doing what TSB asked and I was glad to hear they wanted it done right!!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The Compass they loaned me had 14 miles, brand spanking new, drives nice. The super tight steering actually had me driving a little erratic around the first block almost took out a parked car when the little thing went right as soon as The steering wheel moved lol...
It’s tiny but a nice little vehicle if I can’t find a good see wrangler for my son we might go Compass or Renegade, considering everyone in Cali has gone bats?:t crazy and wants $14000-20000 for a 20-25 year old wrangler with 150000 miles and I can get a 2-4 year old loaded 4x4 compass or renegade for the same or slightly more ...this loaner may work out well for the dealer lol!!

Wranglers - I know of two cases where people bought, drove for 5 years, the sold for MORE than they bought for. One person bought a 3 year old Wrangler just out of lease, drove it for a few years and got all their money back. It cost them nothing to own for several years. Even my brother has commented on that - you can sell a 3 or 4 year old Wrangler for not much at all less than new price.

My son bought a Compass back in 2018. He's 6'2", about 220 pounds and says it fits him very well. A few things he didn't like but over-all really liked the vehicle. He's a big guy. When we went looking for cars, he couldn't even sit in a Toyota without his head being so close to things it made him claustrophobic. He liked the plenty of "face space" in the Compass.

 

[HWKIGRL]

Wranglers - I know of two cases where people bought, drove for 5 years, the sold for MORE than they bought for. One person bought a 3 year old Wrangler just out of lease, drove it for a few years and got all their money back. It cost them nothing to own for several years. Even my brother has commented on that - you can sell a 3 or 4 year old Wrangler for not much at all less than new price.

My son bought a Compass back in 2018. He's 6'2", about 220 pounds and says it fits him very well. A few things he didn't like but over-all really liked the vehicle. He's a big guy. When we went looking for cars, he couldn't even sit in a Toyota without his head being so close to things it made him claustrophobic. He liked the plenty of "face space" in the Compass.

The Wranglers definitely hold their value. I’m not even opening the “ad” when I see a 2004 listed for $25000...nuts!
There’s a guy a couple blocks over, small lot always has 5-15 Jeeps in various stages some to fix some ready to sell, he said since Corona the early 20s Wranglers are double or triple past auction prices. Instead of $4000 at auction they are selling for 12!!
I’ll wait! We’ll either wait it out or buy a Compass with enough face space

 

[techteacher]

Put the Synergy brace back on today with new steering box. Everything still lined up nicely. Icing on the cake. Happy with the whole setup.

 

[Johnnygraham88]

I just got mine back and can tel the difference but wanted anyone’s opinion on here if they have an issue with steering wheel not returning to center? Mine never truly goes back to center by itself. Not sure if it’s an alignment issue or just the way the gladiators are. Don’t want to make a fuss if it’s just the way it is.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

SAI and CASTER help with that - if you don't have enough positive caster, it may not want to return "strongly" enough for some folks.
Camber helps in that as well as when there's camber, any turn tends to lift the vehicle and the vehicle's own weight tries to return things to center. Camber can NOT be adjusted on these - but that doesn't mean yours is perfect in that way.
The steering being off-center can help lead to that as well - meaning if you are going perfectly straight and the steering wheel isn't perfectly level or straight.
Do you have a lift at all? And if so, did it include lower control arms?

Did your dealer ever check alignment? There's nothing they can really do about caster but it may help explain things.

These by their nature tend to not "return to center aggressively" as some other vehicles, but that doesn't mean it should be bad in that way, either.

 

[Johnnygraham88]

SAI and CASTER help with that - if you don't have enough positive caster, it may not want to return "strongly" enough for some folks.
Camber helps in that as well as when there's camber, any turn tends to lift the vehicle and the vehicle's own weight tries to return things to center. Camber can NOT be adjusted on these - but that doesn't mean yours is perfect in that way.
The steering being off-center can help lead to that as well - meaning if you are going perfectly straight and the steering wheel isn't perfectly level or straight.
Do you have a lift at all? And if so, did it include lower control arms?

Did your dealer ever check alignment? There's nothing they can really do about caster but it may help explain things.

These by their nature tend to not "return to center aggressively" as some other vehicles, but that doesn't mean it should be bad in that way, either.

No lift. I have a sport s and have only changed the wheels. I bought a local guys take offs from a mojave. It feels also like my steering wheel is slightly to the left when driving straight. I haven’t have an alignment done. Do you think that I should ask the dealer to check on that? So are you saying an alignment will not help getting it back to center? I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to mechanics

 

[Wasatch1]

Got my truck into the shop today. They did want to keep it for a few hours to clear codes, check it and test drive it. I was nervous when I received a text saying they were processing the warranty which can sometimes take a week or so, but that my truck was ready to pick up.

Anyway, by the time I picked up my truck they said the parts would be in by Friday and set up an appointment for installation next Wednesday Thursday!

On a side note they did not care about my Mopar 2-inch lift, Fox steering stabilizer, or 37 inch tires! They were impressed I had the service bulletin paperwork another member here recommended! (QUOTE)


Well I am extremely pleased with this new steel gear box! My truck tracks straight on the freeway and doesn't veer right on the regular streets. The steering is very tight and precise like a new truck should be. I am excited to take my truck in the mountains again, not to mention the high-speed 7 mile gravel road getting there! I would like to thank Salt Lake Valley Jeep for repairing this under warranty. Again, like others have said, bring in the Service Bulletin paperwork that has the info and part numbers you need. It will make the process a lot easier.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No lift. I have a sport s and have only changed the wheels. I bought a local guys take offs from a mojave. It feels also like my steering wheel is slightly to the left when driving straight. I haven’t have an alignment done. Do you think that I should ask the dealer to check on that? So are you saying an alignment will not help getting it back to center? I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to mechanics

The dealer should check that anyway - IF the wheels aren't straight ahead when the steering wheel is centered (that's also when the steering gear is centered) it could impact that - but isn't the primary reason they don't want to come back to straight again.
Frankly, I'd tell the dealer the wheel is off center and you are concerned about the steering gear as well. They should always check the wheel for being perfectly centered any time working on the steering gear (steering sector) even though it should not change anything replacing it - it's the smart thing to do.

 

[Gren71]

Put the Synergy brace back on today with new steering box. Everything still lined up nicely. Icing on the cake. Happy with the whole setup.

Did you replace the oem 42mm nut before sending it to dealer or just leave the synergy one on?
Also, any difference with the brace back on? I swear mine squeaks when I turn the wheel while sitting still...

 

[Sazabi19]

The Wranglers definitely hold their value. I’m not even opening the “ad” when I see a 2004 listed for $25000...nuts!
There’s a guy a couple blocks over, small lot always has 5-15 Jeeps in various stages some to fix some ready to sell, he said since Corona the early 20s Wranglers are double or triple past auction prices. Instead of $4000 at auction they are selling for 12!!
I’ll wait! We’ll either wait it out or buy a Compass with enough face space

This is exactly why I'll get a new one if I ever do. It comes with a warranty and everything will be taken care of for the first while. When I don't want it anymore for whatever reason, I can sell it and get decent money out of it. I looked at used Wranglers first and couldn't believe what they were asking for them, I would never get a used, unwarranted vehicle for anywhere near that much lol.

 

[basicGlad]

It feels also like my steering wheel is slightly to the left when driving straight.

in the TSB I think it says, "cx describes a pull to the right". Are you just always adjusting the wheel a few degrees left to counter act a right pull//drift//walk?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

in the TSB I think it says, "cx describes a pull to the right". Are you just always adjusting the wheel a few degrees left to counter act a right pull//drift//walk?

I bet you are right in thinking he's describing a pull. You compensate for a pull by having to move the wheel the other way - the result is the steering wheel is not straight when you are going straight and you have to hold it to resist it wanting to go to that other side.

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