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

[Bassman3871]

Mine was dropped off at the dealership for the repair, they said all the parts came in, hope it is better.

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[Rubinator919]

Just took mine in this morning. Leith Chrysler Jeep in Raleigh. At first the tech tried to tell me that they had already replaced my box a few months ago, so I wouldn’t qualify for the new TSB repair. I called bullshit, and he said they would take a look. He came out 30 minutes later and said “we“ were right and they would order the new gearbox for my Gladiator. Unfortunately, he said it will likely be November before they have the part in for the repair.

 

[GeneLV]

I removed my steering brace prior to dropping mine off Tuesday and it felt 10 times worse driving down the freeway. Got mine back yesterday after steering box and rear axle replacement and the steering is much tighter and the wandering issues seems to be gone, even with 37's. On the fence about reinstalling my brace.

 

[mountainpass]

Picked the jeep up this morning, and they did not replace the part. It is still the aluminum part. There did seem to be a difference around town with just the software, but did not have a chance to get on the highway.

Knew it had to be too good to be true. I will see if the software effort was enough over the next week or so when I can get on the highway.

Kind of upsetting when then customer paperwork states performed service bulletin... No you performed part of the service bulletin.

I would get jeep involved, as saying they performed it when they didn't is wrong.

 

[DaveL]

We had this issue. Inspection. TSB was not authorized.
we had to sign the warranty papers to get our keys back. Marked our issues on tHe warranty paper and signed.
went to another dealer for inspection after advising FCA Canada. Parts are on order.

 

[MrZappo]

We had this issue. Inspection. TSB was not authorized.
we had to sign the warranty papers to get our keys back. Marked our issues on tHe warranty paper and signed.
went to another dealer for inspection after advising FCA Canada. Parts are on order.

Sign papers to get YOUR keys back? Uh no.

If a dealer ever tried to hold my keys ransom, they would regret that on a variety of levels.

What a joke.

 

[MrZappo]

Picked the jeep up this morning, and they did not replace the part. It is still the aluminum part. There did seem to be a difference around town with just the software, but did not have a chance to get on the highway.

Knew it had to be too good to be true. I will see if the software effort was enough over the next week or so when I can get on the highway.

Kind of upsetting when then customer paperwork states performed service bulletin... No you performed part of the service bulletin.

Ask them if this is a certified repair? Has the vehicle been tested with software written for the new gear while still using the old gear?

Is it safe? Is it guaranteed to be safe? How about with my kids in the car?

Sure hope that this a tested and certified configuration! If something happens and someone gets hurt, am I suing you (dealer) or am I suing FCA?

Please talk to FCA so I know who is liable for your decision to ignore step 1 of the TSB.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I removed my steering brace prior to dropping mine off Tuesday and it felt 10 times worse driving down the freeway. Got mine back yesterday after steering box and rear axle replacement and the steering is much tighter and the wandering issues seems to be gone, even with 37's. On the fence about reinstalling my brace.

IMO, you have a lot more force acting on things with heavy 37s. I think I might put on the brace. If you were running 35 or less the stresses are much smaller, the mass working on things would be less.
Besides, you own it......... Just thinking aloud!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Sign papers to get YOUR keys back? Uh no.

If a dealer ever tried to hold my keys ransom, they would regret that on a variety of levels.

What a joke.

Usually it's to say the vehicle was there and that's the only way they get reimbursed by FCA for any work done, even if simply checking for codes or software patches.

There are a number of reasons if you've ever worked in a shop.

But in this case it was wise to make notes that you were not satisfied, the work was not done according to the TSB.
They should receive a survey later - complete that with notes as to what happened, what didn't happen, etc.

 

[Membrain]

IMO, you have a lot more force acting on things with heavy 37s. I think I might put on the brace. If you were running 35 or less the stresses are much smaller, the mass working on things would be less.
Besides, you own it......... Just thinking aloud!

...and I am now looking at the aluminium STEERING KNUCKLES...
a test study showed that of the 3 types of materials used in steering knuckles (forged steel, cast iron, cast aluminium) that forged is 3 magnitudes stronger than cast aluminium, and 1 magnitude stronger than cast iron.

Sorry for the hijack, now back to the steering box!

 

[DaveL]

Sign papers to get YOUR keys back? Uh no.

If a dealer ever tried to hold my keys ransom, they would regret that on a variety of levels.

What a joke.

Tom, may be because it's a different country. However, I can assure you that we got our keys quickly after a discussion, and an amendment we made to the warranty papers before we signed them.

Issue for us is making our Jeep safe.


We advised FCA Jeep Canada Customer Care who have helped a lot and taken a leadership role to solve our problems getting the tsb work done.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

...and I am now looking at the aluminium STEERING KNUCKLES...
a test study showed that of the 3 types of materials used in steering knuckles (forged steel, cast iron, cast aluminium) that forged is 3 magnitudes stronger than cast aluminium, and 1 magnitude stronger than cast iron.

Sorry for the hijack, now back to the steering box!

Are you sure they are aluminum and not like the grand cherokee or Mercedes vehicles, a very high nickel content steel that looks gray and doesn't rust easily?
Are those not forged aluminum if they are? (guess it's time to check out the material used - might have to take a grinding wheel out and see what the spark pattern is if not aluminum)

Did you know that many, if not most, aluminum wheels made these days are forged - pressed from plastic aluminum? (meaning heated until soft, like molten plastic like other forged materials)
Casting is used for housings like the steering gear housing, the alternator housing, , etc.
Normally suspension and steering parts that are aluminum are forged - although the stuff not stressed can be cast.
Check out the antirock sway bar arms - aluminum. (or the airplane you ride in)

EDIT - confirmed aluminum. Now, for those who think aluminum is aluminum, there are many different alloys. (a ffriend in MN who runs a machine shop/fabrication shop that makes Jeep accessories, serpentine belt systems for the older Jeeps, V8 front covers, modified oil pumps and other fun stuff explained some differences a few years ago)
IF you look at the steering knuckle on the JT you see first that the steering ARM is steel, and that the knuckle itself has a heck of a webbing to it. It's massive as far as steering knuckles go. I'd be shocked if anyone actually BROKE one of these.
First, I'd bet it's not pure aluminum. If it was, watch out for fast oxidication, it will turn spotty white and liik like crap. But the thing even looks tough with the shape, thickness and webbing.
And with the steering arm bolted to it, that's the real weak point.
In short, I'm not concerned.

I'd also ask - how many here have busted steering knuckles?

 

[Membrain]

Are you sure they are aluminum and not like the grand cherokee or Mercedes vehicles, a very high nickel content steel that looks gray and doesn't rust easily?
Are those not forged aluminum if they are? (guess it's time to check out the material used - might have to take a grinding wheel out and see what the spark pattern is if not aluminum)

Did you know that many, if not most, aluminum wheels made these days are forged - pressed from plastic aluminum? (meaning heated until soft, like molten plastic like other forged materials)
Casting is used for housings like the steering gear housing, the alternator housing, , etc.
Normally suspension and steering parts that are aluminum are forged - although the stuff not stressed can be cast.
Check out the antirock sway bar arms - aluminum. (or the airplane you ride in)

I'd also ask - how many here have busted steering knuckles?

Yes, I am aware of the various technologies.
No, I do not know for sure exactly of what metal compound the knuckles are made.

All I know of for reference is my JK - it has rusty ( ) steering knuckles, and I have broken a number of u-joints.

Given that these knuckles may have the following attachments applying pressure of some sort: unit bearings, brake calipers and rodded steering components, I am least worried about over-sized aluminium rods than I am about a formed chunk of some (non-rusting) metal that is taking a different set of direct stresses.
Granted, as I am looking at the RPM 2" aluminium rods, I know the stresses applied to their metallic structure is different than that applied to the knuckles.

I am not that worried, I was simply pointing out what might be the next area to have issues.

Case in point, IFS systems with certain castings are known to break when impacted.

...so, just making an observation.

 

[Bookem.Dano.Bookem]

I would get jeep involved, as saying they performed it when they didn't is wrong.

Just received additional information from the dealership. Technician denied the work?

Still have part number 49AE installed, and they are telling me the bulletin has been performed. Something is not right.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just received additional information from the dealership. Technician denied the work?

Still have part number 49AE installed, and they are telling me the bulletin has been performed. Something is not right.

Show them the BOTTOM LINE on the FIRST PAGE of the TSB - highlight it.
They have not performed the bulletin as it states that if they have checked everything else, they need to continue to the next step. In short, they have NOT performed the bulletin.

If all else was checked and is fine, then PERFORM THE TSB. It's that simple. Otherwise you can complain to Jeep and give them ALL ZEROS on the survey you should receive later.
THEY HAVE NO CHOICE. Seriously, the TSB says so in a sense through the last line on the TSB page 1.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/attachments/tsb-08-074-20-pdf-356442-pdf.95902/

I'd do what it takes to ensure Jeep knows about it - and give them all zeros on the survey, and let them know you are doing all of that.
They can't get many survey results less than a top score -as one dealer told me, there are "Statuses" involved and they can lose some of that. They seem really worried about incompleted or less than perfect surveys - at least around here.

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