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

[ShadowsPapa]

Power steering fluid is about halfway between max and min.

Right where it belongs.

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[OffRoadHippy]

I wanted to thank everyone for sharing this TBS. I had my Gladiator worked on last week and they completed everything noted here. Steering was noticeably improved from when I first bought it a few weeks ago. Steering feels a lot more stable, less wandering, and an overall improvement.

 

[basicGlad]

Steering was noticeably improved from when I first bought it a few weeks ago. Steering feels a lot more stable, less wandering, and an overall improvement.

7 more days.....
Feels like waiting for Christmas.

 

[Wilsonb80]

Dropped mine off to have it looked at for the TSB.. I’ll let you know what they say.

 

[steffen707]

Dropped off car at 8am, called at 1130, was told tech replaced gear and bolts took for test drive, had to make adjustments, took for another test drive. Got a call back at 1200, it was done. So don't plan on it only taking 2-3.

Impressions:
I felt it right away, steering in parking lot was tighter and heavier, not bad, but just heavier than stock. Feels more like a truck now.

The loose dead spot is still there, but GREATLY reduced. Driving on the left lane of a 4 lane highway, the truck slightly drifted left. Sitting in the right lane it mostly drifted a bit right. I'm pretty sure this is because of the crown in the road, no? I don't think my van does this, but maybe the truck axles/tires exagerate this, and I never noticed it cuz i was always fighting wandering.

No random wandering on highway.

Now at highway speed I only need 1 finger on the wheel.

I think i need to re-learn how to drive the truck as i'm use to the loose steering so my corrections are too big. I doubt it'll take long.

Driving home from work I was day dreaming a bit and wasn't "wandered loose" from the truck, (guess that's good/bad news).

Definitely worth the time to get it done for free. Every JT should come like this.

Good luck to ya'll.

 

[Gator Pit]

Dropped off my truck to have the TSB performed and I just messaged the service department to get an update. They told me that they are working on it but the tech has found that the pinion nut needs to be replaced. Of course they don't have one in stock and they are trying to track one down Has anyone else had this happen yet? I have been following along since the beginning of this tread and I don't recall seeing anyone else have this one before.

So here is the story I am getting now, the tech started to change the gear and noticed that the pinion nut was a one time use nut and he stopped to have the nut ordered? I have a case open with @JeepCares already so I am getting them involved, this doesn’t sound right at all. If it was a one time use nut wouldn’t that be included in the TSB to perform the work???

Sorry for ranting, jut sharing just incase anyone else runs into this.

Forgot to add that the nut is in Portland and it will take 5 days to get here

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If that was the case, then everyone who has had their steering gear replaced would run into something similar unless all of the other dealers stocked this pitman nut.
Mine is the original........... so if it's one time use, I'd want to know so I could go back and tell them to put on a new pitman nut.

(pinion nut is what holds the yoke onto the differential pinion for those looking on, the pitman nut holds the pitman arm onto the steering gear pitman shaft)

 

[Scruf]

Just an update... my original appointment was on 8/18. Dealer said parts wouldn't be available until mid-Sept. I called to check on it yesterday (9/8). they said the gear box is available, but the bolts are have limited availability (restricted ordering, can only get a few at a time). Said they may not get them until mid-late October now. Frustrating.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just an update... my original appointment was on 8/18. Dealer said parts wouldn't be available until mid-Sept. I called to check on it yesterday (9/8). they said the gear box is available, but the bolts are have limited availability (restricted ordering, can only get a few at a time). Said they may not get them until mid-late October now. Frustrating.

Similar to my experience, but not quite as bad. Mine took a week to get after the steering gear was already in. The bolts seem to be a hold-up in many cases. Odd because they must use those by the tens of thousands. Apparently they ordered enough for production and didn't anticipate this big a response?

 

[LoJac963]

I am done with this dealership. Went to drop the truck off and he said he can't give me a rental because it wasn't set up far in advance. I don't know who can be without a vehicle for an unknown number of days without a vehicle.....

How do I get Jeep Cares involved?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Luckily I had my 04 WJ sitting at home waiting, or my Eagle. My wife's Grand Cherokee was also down for battery and other issues or we'd have had 2 other Jeeps at home while mine was at the dealer for a WEEK for steering gear.

 

[Gator Pit]

If that was the case, then everyone who has had their steering gear replaced would run into something similar unless all of the other dealers stocked this pitman nut.
Mine is the original........... so if it's one time use, I'd want to know so I could go back and tell them to put on a new pitman nut.

(pinion nut is what holds the yoke onto the differential pinion for those looking on, the pitman nut holds the pitman arm onto the steering gear pitman shaft)

Messaged the service advisor back and did confirm that it was the pitman nut that they are claiming is a one time use. Did a quick google and found the nut, I'm no mechanic but it doesn't look like a one time use nut to me.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, I see why they say that. The red "loctite" in there. Once that's off and back on, it won't lock like the original.
Now I see why.
In the old days, you tightened the pitman nut and staked the thread next to the nut with a center punch in the thread against the nut to prevent the nut from coming off.
Some used a self-locking nut which is a nut that has the top threads "squeezed" to cause an interference fit but to torque it accurately was difficult because of the interference fit - was it tight because it was a lock nut or tight because it's tight?
And then later along comes Loctite - and techs were told to use that - fine, but if things weren't totally clean, it didn't always hold well.
These days, the compound is applied to the nut itself while it's clean and fresh.. The pressure and heat from install causes it to lock in place. Torque is more accurate and as some members here have stated, when they went to install that Synergy pitman brace, it took an act of congress along with a prayer to Thor to get the nut off.

I think I need to chat with my dealer's shop and see what's up - MAYBE they did use a new nut, but it sure looks like original with just a quick glance.

IF your guy says it's a one time use nut - that tech is playing by the rules, going by the book and not accepting anything less.

https://www.moparwholesaleparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-hex-nut-coned-washer-nut-and-washer-6036780aa

 

[MrZappo]

Well this is unacceptable ... Now I am jealous that your tech cared enough to get a new nut and mine just hung me out to dry ...

OCD kicking into high gear ... Someone help me ...

My nut is not red !!!!! Oh the humanity ....

 

[Bookem.Dano.Bookem]

Mine went in this morning, they just left a message saying it was completed.

Wondering if they just did the software portion and didn't replace the box/bolts? Could the dealership experience really be this successful after hearing all these horror stories?

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