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

[FLGladiator]

Just took time out of my day to go to Napleton in Kissimmee. I explained that the car is swaying from side to side like a ping pong in the lane. Extremely dangerous. I also explained that I have no lift or steering altercations and that this problem has occured since new. I was denied by the service manager who was reluctant to give his name, citing his DM. Horror show to say the least. I am extremely surprised they battle such a dangerous issue. @JeepCares I am trying to get a work order number for you but as you can see...

I could just feel this was going to happen from others reviews that it is 50- 50%. I am building my file now with video and documenting. The next nearest dealership is about 45 minutes from here which I will attempt when I have time again. As we all have time to roll the dice with dealers 45 minutes away.

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[DirkG]

So I dropped my JT off at the dealership this afternoon. My service advisor said that they've got "a really good suspension guy" and that he'll get underneath the vehicle and make sure everything "is nice and tight and the way it's supposed to be." I shook my head and repeated the TSB about 5 times and am prepared to hear the same thing tomorrow. I will again repeat the TSB. I love my JT but it definitely wanders.

At least with Jeep Cares I get a no-cost oil change and tire rotation.....BUT I am prepared to battle on the TSB.

Got a call this morning from my service advisor and he said they've agreed to buy the parts. Problem is that (as you guys know) it's a restricted 2-orders-every-14-days list so my parts will come in about 2 months. He said it may be sooner depending on availability and if anyone drops off list (I'm currently #7 on the wait list of JL/JT owners).

I know I could go to another dealer, but I prefer this dealer and I'm not in dire need to cure the wander. So given that I'll be getting the new steering parts, I'm pleased. Now I just need to stay on them

 

[HWKIGRL]

Took mine in last Friday at 7:00 am- still waiting. ;-)

Bought my Rig in December, too busy with Christmas after immediate notice of JT steering after first two-handed, white knuckle drive on major highway with lots of transport trucks...just plain scary.

So, my steering issue fight began January 2nd, and after 13 days without my truck and no success getting anything fixed, even with FCA engagement, I figured I’d wait it out for a recall.

Just left the dealership, heading in thinking this would finally be over...NOT!!
Everything passed on the FCA notice checklist, so they could do nothing...again!

Frustrating is beyond an understatement!
A vehicle this expensive, and my 2003 TJ drove better with a 4” lift and 33” boots.

I am so angry, I’m considering filing a class action suit against FCA, as this issue makes driving extremely dangerous...and the worst part is, I feel half-crazy every time I leave, as there is supposedly nothing wrong!
I have easily over 3 million kms driving experience, and have driven and owned all sorts of vehicles, including jeeps...this is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered, especially that a manufacturer will not own up to!

I’m sorry that’s rotten. Some people have gotten pushback BUT according to the TSB verbiage, everything must check out as “ok” And “fix” would be deemed necessary by customer complaint of wandering, loss steering, etc.
Is there another dealership you can use? Have you contacted JeepCares?
Good luck. I’m one of the ones with a crazy loose steering, wandering, pull and a dead spot, it was a superfecta and a glorious driving clustercluck! I spend a lot of my driving time on windy And often wind-y mountain highways with semi-trucks galore, taking my teen son to sporting events...so I get you 100% it IS a danger in the right circumstances!!
I’m sorry it’s been such a pita! I hope you can get it figured out.

 

[JKABBQ]

with all my mods, they would look at me and laugh. I will just have to deal with it. Maybe they can at least do the updated software

I don’t see anything listed that you’ve done as far as mods that would nullify any reason to have the TSB done. Meaning, some people have had the TSB done with the sector shaft brace, track bars, steering stabilizers, various lifts etc. My dealership knew I having issues the first day I had then install the Mopar lift. They could have blamed the steering problems on the lift but they knew from reading online that JLs and JTs have steering wandering complaints.

My suggestion would be you installed all these mods BECAUSE you tried to use aftermarket parts to fix the issue. The service advisor actually said to me she’s glad I didn’t spend money trying to fix it myself since the TSB could fix the problems. That said I asked them to put an adjustable track bar on at the same time the TSB was done and have them flip the Fox Stablizer as I didn’t like how it was on upside down lol

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just took time out of my day to go to Napleton in Kissimmee. I explained that the car is swaying from side to side like a ping pong in the lane. Extremely dangerous. I also explained that I have no lift or steering altercations and that this problem has occured since new. I was denied by the service manager who was reluctant to give his name, citing his DM. Horror show to say the least. I am extremely surprised they battle such a dangerous issue. @JeepCares I am trying to get a work order number for you but as you can see...

I could just feel this was going to happen from others reviews that it is 50- 50%. I am building my file now with video and documenting. The next nearest dealership is about 45 minutes from here which I will attempt when I have time again. As we all have time to roll the dice with dealers 45 minutes away.

REPORT THAT DEALER. If you get any sort of survey, give them all 0s.
These dealers need to get some pushback - see my post - they have NO OUT on this. The TSB says "DO THIS IF THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINS" - they can't say no!!

 

[tampahoosier]

Just took time out of my day to go to Napleton in Kissimmee. I explained that the car is swaying from side to side like a ping pong in the lane. Extremely dangerous. I also explained that I have no lift or steering altercations and that this problem has occured since new. I was denied by the service manager who was reluctant to give his name, citing his DM. Horror show to say the least. I am extremely surprised they battle such a dangerous issue. @JeepCares I am trying to get a work order number for you but as you can see...

I could just feel this was going to happen from others reviews that it is 50- 50%. I am building my file now with video and documenting. The next nearest dealership is about 45 minutes from here which I will attempt when I have time again. As we all have time to roll the dice with dealers 45 minutes away.

Go to Jerry Ulm here in Tampa off of 275 and Dale Mabry. They are awesome, and have no problem doing the TSB. They know there is a problem and they aren't fighting it. You'll have to wait a bit for the parts to come in though because they aren't allowed to order until 9/15.

 

[tampahoosier]

with all my mods, they would look at me and laugh. I will just have to deal with it. Maybe they can at least do the updated software

I have a steersmarts tie rod, drag link and adj. track bar along with the Synergy Bracket/Sector shaft brace and the Fox steering stabilizer. I took my truck in and told them what was wrong and they didn't even test drive it. They said they "might" charge me $50 since the synergy brace is on there and they have to remove it to get to the steering (even though it's no actual extra work), but that they will probably waive the fee. Just waiting not the parts to arrive which will probably be a few weeks. They have over 10 jeeps (as of last week) that have come in for the TSB and that doesn't count the jeeps on the lot they have proactively been swapping out.

 

[W8lifts]

Well took 9 days but finally took my gladiator home driving like a mad man with one finger on the steering wheel driving 75 on a crap highway....Solid fix I would say, as far as it taking 9 days they switchEd out the wheels as well so IDK but whatever works!?!?

 

[danielspivey]

Do they do an alignment after the steering box is swapped out ?

 

[W8lifts]

Do they do an alignment after the steering box is swapped out ?

They did on mine...twice lol

 

[MrZappo]

Do they do an alignment after the steering box is swapped out ?

My dealer (doing mine as I type this) is trying to charge me $100 for an alignment after and they pointed out that the TSB does not mention an alignment ...


I asked them to do it for me ...


Now, if it is OUT of alignment, Ill point out that the truck is 2 weeks old with 400 miles on it and should not need an alignment ... And Ill make them cover it ...

If not, Ill pay them for their time checking ... That seems fair to me ...

 

[JKABBQ]

Bought my Rig in December, too busy with Christmas after immediate notice of JT steering after first two-handed, white knuckle drive on major highway with lots of transport trucks...just plain scary.

So, my steering issue fight began January 2nd, and after 13 days without my truck and no success getting anything fixed, even with FCA engagement, I figured I’d wait it out for a recall.

Just left the dealership, heading in thinking this would finally be over...NOT!!
Everything passed on the FCA notice checklist, so they could do nothing...again!

Frustrating is beyond an understatement!
A vehicle this expensive, and my 2003 TJ drove better with a 4” lift and 33” boots.

I am so angry, I’m considering filing a class action suit against FCA, as this issue makes driving extremely dangerous...and the worst part is, I feel half-crazy every time I leave, as there is supposedly nothing wrong!
I have easily over 3 million kms driving experience, and have driven and owned all sorts of vehicles, including jeeps...this is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered, especially that a manufacturer will not own up to!

Deep breath and be cool. This will get fixed. I’m actually standing at my dealership and finished chatting with the parts manager about how they were getting inundated with requests from other local dealerships wanting them to do the TSB because their allotment to order parts was full. FCA actually told them to forgo going through the “required procedures” and just order the parts in for the TSB as I am guessing word is out and it must be bad press to make people go through the hoops to get the work done. He actually told me that when they ordered my parts in there was 90 TSB part kits at the parts depot that serviced Northern Cali, Oregon, Washington, and he believes Idaho, and of course British Columbia where I am from. 2 days later all those parts were showing as gone on the online ordering site. Those of us who got this fix early I think are lucky because there’s only so many parts out there. That said...keep hunting and looking. My dealership said that whenever someone calls and complains about their steering now, they automatically just tell them no problem, there’s an official fix to deal with it and they book them in.

Be happy that a fix has come. Consider that JL Wrangler owners have had steering wandering g issues for several years now. As others have pointed out, check with other dealers to do the TSB. They’re idiots whoever you dealt with as they get paid no matter what. Now all things being equal...how someone approaches them may be the difference between being placed at the head of the line versus the back. That’s just human nature.

 

[danielspivey]

They did on mine...twice lol

did they charge you?

 

[danielspivey]

REPORT THAT DEALER. If you get any sort of survey, give them all 0s.
These dealers need to get some pushback - see my post - they have NO OUT on this. The TSB says "DO THIS IF THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINS" - they can't say no!!

from a mechanics perspective is an Alignment needed after The steering box has been swapped out?

 

[W8lifts]

did they charge you?

No and I got free new tires too out of the deal, I would be furious if they charged me when my vehicle is only a few weeks old Right off the lot and the 62k Jeep can’t drive straight..... Best of luck

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