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.

I went ahead and took the ride to Greenway about 40 minutes and man, what a nice surprise. Brian was awesome, the service lady was awesome. They checked out the car ordered the parts, will call me when in and do it same day. What a difference. So now when I decide to get my wife a Gladiator or upgrade mine, this is where i'll go. That is how you manage a service department. Jeep needs to go in and audit and get rid of all the momo's that are denying this important update for ridiculous reasons. Thank you Greenway!!!

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[ShadowsPapa]

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

It should not be - as long as the physical dimensions of the new "box" are the same as the old. IF the pitman shaft is positioned differently, say a bit more ahead, back, left or right, it would impact how the steering wheel was centered when going straight.
But since these have the left and right wheels tied together directly (and the pitman works only on the right wheel) toe can't change, and of course the other angles won't change - and can't be changed.
It can't hurt to re-check toe and steering wheel center, and that's what I'd do anyway - but if it was correct before, it would be correct after.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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.

I agree - but - the "Required procedures" are really only looking for codes to ensure that there's nothing else wrong as well.
It would be really bad to simply blindly swap out steering gear and then have the customer drive away with sloppy steering because there were other issues as well.
The TSB is simply to verify there aren't other underlying problems with the EHPS systems.
Pressures too high, too low, other problems -then the box is only going to do so much.
Obviously the TSB process is short and sweet- connect and look for codes, check for software issues. Takes a short time.
If I were a service manager (and I did pass up that job years ago for Iowa's biggest Jeep dealership), I'd tell my tech DO the TSB processes - because it would be my butt on the line if they simply ordered and swapped the box and the customer STILL had steering issues.
I'd likely still order the parts ahead of time because it's a time saver and if this customer doesn't actually need it - the next will and you'll have them, but I'd do the whole TSB.
If they don't and the customer comes back with codes the TSB mentions.......... I'd not want to be in the middle of that, either.

 

[Jeepmonster]

Urgent. Yeah it’s bone dry. What’s the part number for our power steering fluid on the new box

This is what the TSB lists for fluid (at the bottom).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Betcha one of the forum sponsors/vendors can sell that fluid - but then the shipping could be a killer. Otherwise, shops would have to stock it for routine things like it's simply low, someone hit a jagged rock and ripped a line (ok, so that's pretty unlikely as buried as these things are.....)

 

[bastage]

I just heard from my dealership. He said I am 3rd on list & 1 every 2 weeks.. So Mid October I should be good. haha.. Oh well its not stopping me from driving it.

 

[JKABBQ]

I agree - but - the "Required procedures" are really only looking for codes to ensure that there's nothing else wrong as well.
It would be really bad to simply blindly swap out steering gear and then have the customer drive away with sloppy steering because there were other issues as well.
The TSB is simply to verify there aren't other underlying problems with the EHPS systems.
Pressures too high, too low, other problems -then the box is only going to do so much.
Obviously the TSB process is short and sweet- connect and look for codes, check for software issues. Takes a short time.
If I were a service manager (and I did pass up that job years ago for Iowa's biggest Jeep dealership), I'd tell my tech DO the TSB processes - because it would be my butt on the line if they simply ordered and swapped the box and the customer STILL had steering issues.
I'd likely still order the parts ahead of time because it's a time saver and if this customer doesn't actually need it - the next will and you'll have them, but I'd do the whole TSB.
If they don't and the customer comes back with codes the TSB mentions.......... I'd not want to be in the middle of that, either.

Yes for sure, the codes have to be checked to make sure there wasn’t other underlying issues. Interesting conversation I had with a salesman as I was leaving. He was unaware of the TSB and fix for the driving. He specifically mentioned he asks his customers whether they’ve thought about that upcoming Bronco and tells them that yes with IFS it will have better road manners etc. Whereupon he also mentions that SFA drives the way it does...Well as you mentioned in a previous message, the days of SFA driving all over the road are gone in these modern times. This fix changes that narrative going forward.

 

[Membrain]

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.

This TSB *ALSO* covers both 2dr and 4dr JLs.

 

[JK4AER]

Dropped it off this morning. Dealer just called and confirmed the issue and ordered the parts. Said it could be two weeks to get the parts though. Progres...

 

[JKABBQ]

This TSB *ALSO* covers both 2dr and 4dr JLs.

Exactly, so imagine the hair pulling they’ve all been going through waiting as long as they have. A couple of days after I got mine fixed an owner of a 2 door 2020 JL was refusing to drive hers because of how “unsafe” she felt driving it. Needless to say, I don’t know if this true or not but the largest complaints at this dealership has been about their 2 door JL’s.

 

[boltnut]

I went ahead and took the ride to Greenway about 40 minutes and man, what a nice surprise. Brian was awesome, the service lady was awesome. They checked out the car ordered the parts, will call me when in and do it same day. What a difference. So now when I decide to get my wife a Gladiator or upgrade mine, this is where i'll go. That is how you manage a service department. Jeep needs to go in and audit and get rid of all the momo's that are denying this important update for ridiculous reasons. Thank you Greenway!!!

I almost did the same. I just didn't like the way the dealers closer to me were talking. They insisted that I had to make an appointment for them to check out all the sales codes first. They were inferring that there was a possibility that the gear box might not get swapped. I actually made and cancelled appointments with two different dealership. I finally decided that before driving all the way to Greenway(75 mins for me) I would just make an appointment locally and see what happened.
Much to my suprise, after having my truck for about 3 hours......they're ordering the parts! They acted like it was bad news, "Unfortunately yours is one that needs a new gear box and some parts(bolts) won't be in for 5-days" Meanwhile I'm dancing a jig on the other end of the phone

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Exactly, so imagine the hair pulling they’ve all been going through waiting as long as they have. A couple of days after I got mine fixed an owner of a 2 door 2020 JL was refusing to drive hers because of how “unsafe” she felt driving it. Needless to say, I don’t know if this true or not but the largest complaints at this dealership has been about their 2 door JL’s.

Wheelbase can impact issues greatly. A Longer vehicle will be longer in going "off-track" while a short vehicle could be jerky with the same play - a quicker wander, and harder to keep between the lines without a lot more quick adjustments.
That's why luxury is longer and wider - more stable and smoother, even in steering.

But to all of those who have said they are on a waiting list for parts and so on - TAKE HEART! You now know a solution is nigh. There is LIGHT (LED LIGHT for the tech nuts here) at the end of the tunnel.
There is no more denying there's an issue, no more "we'll look into it" - you have a TSB, parts are on order - and you are on RECORD now.
The wait is frustrating (we know - took two weeks just to get my wife's Jeep in to the shop - and now we wait a very unknown length of time for the new NAV/radio) but you know what you are waiting for now.

We were right, Jeep has said as much..................... hang in there, and -

 

[MrZappo]

Just got mine back. Steering is much improved. Feels totally different.

They did an alignment as well. And now my steering wheel is slightly off center. Easy fix but kind of bugged me.

In any event. The fix is worth it.

I'm happy with the result. Keep the faith everyone who is still waiting!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just got mine back. Steering is much improved. Feels totally different.

They did an alignment as well. And now my steering wheel is slightly off center. Easy fix but kind of bugged me.

In any event. The fix is worth it.

I'm happy with the result. Keep the faith everyone who is still waiting!

At least you can re-center the steering wheel............

 

[MR GRANITE]

Anyone know if new units from factory are coming with new box? Mine built 7/20 has aluminum box.

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