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

[ShadowsPapa]

This is good to know regarding the 2021 JL’s and JT’s. The buzz and mocking on the Bronco Nation forum’s when people talk about why they’re buying a Bronco is also how much better they IMAGINE it will drive because of the history of JL’s and JT’s of wandering on the road.

Lurking over at their boards you’d think they were brain washed CNN followers who don’t know about this current fix or that it is a fixable issue. Sad thing is...there are current Wrangler and Gladiator owners on the Bronco forums talking about how they dislike their Jeeps unaware of this TSB.

I told my local sales manager this will start to help sales again. Glad to know FCA has finally addressed this too. Competition from Ford is a good thing! Game is on...

My opinion based on what I've seen from other Jeep owners - those who have had solid axle Jeeps prior to the JT - that this is better than those other vehicles now with the "fixed steering gear".

The days of the wandering and loosey-goosey Jeep steering are over.
I'm not shocked as frankly, no matter the axle or suspension design, this is 2020 - design, engineering, technology have come at least a step or two since 1960.
There was NO REASON, it's not 'a Jeep thing' nor is it 'a solid axle thing', those days disappeared.
On a straight level highway, a straight axle should STEER like IFS. Hit a bump and it may be different, but on a plain ordinary fairly smooth highway (that leave out Illinois highways) it should track and steer fine.

If you toss on wheels with much different offset or backset, then all bets are off........... because you have just changed the intersection of the SAI and tire contact patch among other things. It's gonna behave differently and there's little can be done in those cases.

Sponsored

 

[JKABBQ]

My opinion based on what I've seen from other Jeep owners - those who have had solid axle Jeeps prior to the JT - that this is better than those other vehicles now with the "fixed steering gear".

The days of the wandering and loosey-goosey Jeep steering are over.
I'm not shocked as frankly, no matter the axle or suspension design, this is 2020 - design, engineering, technology have come at least a step or two since 1960.
There was NO REASON, it's not 'a Jeep thing' nor is it 'a solid axle thing', those days disappeared.
On a straight level highway, a straight axle should STEER like IFS. Hit a bump and it may be different, but on a plain ordinary fairly smooth highway (that leave out Illinois highways) it should track and steer fine.

If you toss on wheels with much different offset or backset, then all bets are off........... because you have just changed the intersection of the SAI and tire contact patch among other things. It's gonna behave differently and there's little can be done in those cases.

Totally agree. As I mentioned previously my partner just bought a 2020 Honda CRV and driving her vehicle and then driving mine...as you mentioned it totally steers and tracts exactly the same as her IFS does. How it handles bumps is a different for obvious reasons but that has nothing to do with wandering on the road.

 

[HWKIGRL]

My opinion based on what I've seen from other Jeep owners - those who have had solid axle Jeeps prior to the JT - that this is better than those other vehicles now with the "fixed steering gear".

The days of the wandering and loosey-goosey Jeep steering are over.
I'm not shocked as frankly, no matter the axle or suspension design, this is 2020 - design, engineering, technology have come at least a step or two since 1960.
There was NO REASON, it's not 'a Jeep thing' nor is it 'a solid axle thing', those days disappeared.
On a straight level highway, a straight axle should STEER like IFS. Hit a bump and it may be different, but on a plain ordinary fairly smooth highway (that leave out Illinois highways) it should track and steer fine.

If you toss on wheels with much different offset or backset, then all bets are off........... because you have just changed the intersection of the SAI and tire contact patch among other things. It's gonna behave differently and there's little can be done in those cases.

I’m so excited to hear this!
I can’t wait to get mine back.
I miss Clifford lol!
ShadowsPapa- are you getting your JT back today? Bolts come in?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I’m so excited to hear this!
I can’t wait to get mine back.
I miss Clifford lol!
ShadowsPapa- are you getting your JT back today? Bolts come in?

On Friday when they called they said they expected them Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Grand Cherokee goes in for multiple failures - ESS, rain-sensative wipers failure, GPS "xx miles over speed limit" stopped working, one or two other electronic things stopped working, then it got to the point if it sat more than 2 or 3 days the battery would be too low to start it and I had to jump state it. It's charging the battery fine - running it's 14.2 volts so the charging system is functional. I expect them to have it for DAYS because of the list of failures.
Hopefully it's all under warranty as it is already traded to Spencer for a 2021 Grand Cherokee.
So I'll have TWO Jeeps at the dealership come tomorrow/Tuesday. If the GC had a brake controller I'd haul my SX4 up there on my trailer and have a way back and forth. It actually has a really good tow rating for an ordinary SUV.

 

[basicGlad]

At my appointment today a tech drove my JT and said "seems normal, drives like every other JT", but "customer's description matches TSB".

Parts are on order, meant to arrive tomorrow and appointment on Sept 15th to have the new steering gear installed.

 

[JKABBQ]

At my appointment today a tech drove my JT and said "seems normal, drives like every other JT", but "customer's description matches TSB".

Parts are on order, meant to arrive tomorrow and appointment on Sept 15th to have the new steering gear installed.

What I think these techs or sales staff should do until the new 2021’s come already installed with the new steering boxes is get into one of these fixed JT’s. Once they do, they’ll know that the “drives like every other JT” was wrong all along.

 

[Shootist]

What I think these techs or sales staff should do until the new 2021’s come already installed with the new steering boxes is get into one of these fixed JT’s. Once they do, they’ll know that the “drives like every other JT” was wrong all along.

That is a pretty much what I have been saying as well. I think what a tech may think it should drive like is too open to interpretation until they know what one that has had the fix done drives like. Also many of the test drives don’t get out on the interstate where people say it is most noticeable. But as mentioned in the TSB there is no diagnostic procedure besides checking for a code and what the customer describes.

 

[basicGlad]

@Shootist & @JKABBQ I asked the sales rep who ordered my JT, "you've driven a lot of JTs and JLs, right? Do you find the steering all the same or some worse than others?"

Anonymous: "I've driven probably every trim level. Steering seems very similar in my opinion. The rides a little different from Sahara to Rubi to Mojave. The steering however is quite similar. Perhaps the bigger tires help those feel slightly more sturdy. I don't feel a big difference myself though.".

Don't get this ^ confused with "they're all bad" or "they're all good", he's just pointing out "they're all similar". Once the techs and sales reps drive a 2021 we'll have to reask the same question.

 

[JKABBQ]

@Shootist & @JKABBQ I asked the sales rep who ordered my JT, "you've driven a lot of JTs and JLs, right? Do you find the steering all the same or some worse than others?"

Anonymous: "I've driven probably every trim level. Steering seems very similar in my opinion. The rides a little different from Sahara to Rubi to Mojave. The steering however is quite similar. Perhaps the bigger tires help those feel slightly more sturdy. I don't feel a big difference myself though.".

Don't get this ^ confused with "they're all bad" or "they're all good", he's just pointing out "they're all similar". Once the techs and sales reps drive a 2021 we'll have to reask the same question.

I think that’s where some of the confusion was intially. There was such a wide spectrum as to what people reported. From good to bad, better to worse. Couple that with each person having different tolerance points as to what feels normal to them. Which then leads to the next question...once more people, reps, techs drive one with the new steering box, my guess is the new similar will be a tighter feeling steering wheel. Just as curious to hear from those who may have the new TSB fix who then reports it feels just as bad, and so far so good no one has

 

[briscoelab]

Dropped mine off today (LE Rubicon). Verified problem, parts ordered, slated to be installed tomorrow. Can't complain about that! I'll post up once it is done.

The wander center was moderate and generally tolerable, but it would change lanes if you took your hands off the wheel. Needed constant left input to go straight.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I think that’s where some of the confusion was intially. There was such a wide spectrum as to what people reported. From good to bad, better to worse. Couple that with each person having different tolerance points as to what feels normal to them. Which then leads to the next question...once more people, reps, techs drive one with the new steering box, my guess is the new similar will be a tighter feeling steering wheel. Just as curious to hear from those who may have the new TSB fix who then reports it feels just as bad, and so far so good no one has

For months just here on the forum I've seen "it wanders" and "it pulls" and "it's loose" and "I can't keep it between the lines" and "it's deadly when you are passed by a truck" - and more.
Even as a person who's done alignments and front suspension and steering work for decades, it was a patchwork of symptoms.......... and then me, I seem to have compensated myself, but my wife - not her "this thing really wanders" and "I hope there are no cops behind us, they'll think I'm drunk" - and those are pretty much her quotes, aside from saying I wasn't driving a straight line or not paying attention.
Gotta love that woman - what would I do without her?

 

[Shootist]

@Shootist & @JKABBQ I asked the sales rep who ordered my JT, "you've driven a lot of JTs and JLs, right? Do you find the steering all the same or some worse than others?"

Anonymous: "I've driven probably every trim level. Steering seems very similar in my opinion. The rides a little different from Sahara to Rubi to Mojave. The steering however is quite similar. Perhaps the bigger tires help those feel slightly more sturdy. I don't feel a big difference myself though.".

Don't get this ^ confused with "they're all bad" or "they're all good", he's just pointing out "they're all similar". Once the techs and sales reps drive a 2021 we'll have to reask the same question.

It is possible that they haven’t driven one with a problem or they all had the problem. I have personally had the pleasure of driving one with a substantial wander issue and the one I own which not a Porsche or BMW sure did feel like one in comparison to the loaner Rubicon with the issue. Now for mine, I honestly can’t tell If I have the issue or not But I can say it does not feel anything like my previous trucks and if we are comparing my Gladiator to say the GMC Sierra that I traded in I would say I do have the wander issue just not near as bad as what the Rubicon loaner had.... It was very noticeable on that one which I at first attributed to it being a Jeep. Long story short, it is possible that a tech or sales person may not know what a good one or a bad one even drives like because with this issue there does seem to be symptoms from mild to severe and all those in between.

 

[HWKIGRL]

On Friday when they called they said they expected them Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Grand Cherokee goes in for multiple failures - ESS, rain-sensative wipers failure, GPS "xx miles over speed limit" stopped working, one or two other electronic things stopped working, then it got to the point if it sat more than 2 or 3 days the battery would be too low to start it and I had to jump state it. It's charging the battery fine - running it's 14.2 volts so the charging system is functional. I expect them to have it for DAYS because of the list of failures.
Hopefully it's all under warranty as it is already traded to Spencer for a 2021 Grand Cherokee.
So I'll have TWO Jeeps at the dealership come tomorrow/Tuesday. If the GC had a brake controller I'd haul my SX4 up there on my trailer and have a way back and forth. It actually has a really good tow rating for an ordinary SUV.

I’m sorry to hear of the GC issues. I hope everything comes out ok with both vehicles!!

 

[Hockeypilot44]

I don't think mine has steering issues. Wondering if I should take it in and try to get new box just for the hell of it? Maybe it does and I just don't know any better.

 

[Gatorized]

At my appointment today a tech drove my JT and said "seems normal, drives like every other JT", but "customer's description matches TSB".

Parts are on order, meant to arrive tomorrow and appointment on Sept 15th to have the new steering gear installed.

Which dealer was this? Thx

Sponsored