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

[ShadowsPapa]

Stopped by my dealer today to ask about the steering. They did a quick test drive and said "I'll be blunt with you, I felt the wander, but it's because of your lift and tires (Mopar 2" and 37s). I'll do the TSB if you want, but it won't fix your issue. I inquired on how the Mopar suspension lift could cause steering wander and he said "well, it's the tires, you have to lift it to add the tires. The sidewall flex in the tires causes the wander."



"The guy that leaked the TSB has already been charged and fired, but I'll order it for you and have the parts in about two months (a few people ahead of me in line). "

Your dealer is full of BS.
The TSB is public record on the government's own NHTSA site.
ANYONE can go look and get ANY TSB that's posted, including these and much much more.
Wow. No wonder people have trouble believing what dealers say!
Funny still because ANY dealer can show you.
Benny gave us the MOPAR brake controller TSB - is he going to be fired? Likely not - he's at a dealership!

I think that dealership was just pissed that you even knew about it and had the information.

EVERY dealership has full access to those and there's no controlling who gets that access, plus, like we said - it's on the internet.
I have at least a dozen TSBs related to the JT on my computer now.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I'd like to know more on this.

And if it was such a problem couldn't FCA just recall a TSB and anyone who didn't get in on time is SOL? I have been told it is now a formal recall, but I still don't get why. If the cost was so high that they fired the guy, they could have had legal come up with a way to avoid it after the initial rush.

Dunno who said that but if it was, everyone would be getting a card in the mail.
It's still a TSB.

They aren't going to "recall a TSB" because that's what dealers rely on to fix things when owners complain. This isn't just a nice thing to have and if you missed out, tough. This is a "when the customer complains, this is how we suggest you fix it".
As long as your vehicle is under warranty, you get the work done for free.
After that you pay - but the TSB remains.
They will release other versions, corrections, etc. but they will never pull back or recall a TSB.

There's so much misinformation out there about TSBs and more it's just plain scary.

The story about a guy being fired is plain bull shit, plain and simple.
TSBs come from dealers and the NHTSA, not FCA corporate as far as anyone "leaking" them.
They are public. Dealers may prefer you don't know - but they can't stop you from knowing.
Think about it - JeepCares even told us the TSB info for the trailer brake controller - and this forum admin posted the steering gear TSB! Check post 1 of this thread. So is Jay now fired?

 

[PyrPatriot]

Dunno who said that but if it was, everyone would be getting a card in the mail.
It's still a TSB.

They aren't going to "recall a TSB" because that's what dealers rely on to fix things when owners complain. This isn't just a nice thing to have and if you missed out, tough. This is a "when the customer complains, this is how we suggest you fix it".
As long as your vehicle is under warranty, you get the work done for free.
After that you pay - but the TSB remains.
They will release other versions, corrections, etc. but they will never pull back or recall a TSB.

There's so much misinformation out there about TSBs and more it's just plain scary.

The story about a guy being fired is plain bull shit, plain and simple.
TSBs come from dealers and the NHTSA, not FCA corporate as far as anyone "leaking" them.
They are public. Dealers may prefer you don't know - but they can't stop you from knowing.
Think about it - JeepCares even told us the TSB info for the trailer brake controller - and this forum admin posted the steering gear TSB! Check post 1 of this thread. So is Jay now fired?

Thank you for the explanation. You truly are a treasure trove of knowledge on the automotive industry and mechanics.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have a collection of AMC and Jeep D&R (Diagnose and Repair) bulletins, TSBs, and such from the 60 into the 1980s.
Fascinating reading the letters to dealerships, the bulletins themselves, the communications that were used in the past. Sometimes I pull out some of those big binders and just read through some of the stuff.
It's likely not a lot has changed in many respects.

 

[DaveL]

"The guy that leaked the TSB has already been charged and fired....." What bunch of crap... so hard to believe the stores that are coming out of dealers. FCA really does have a huge communication / PR / process issue with dealers and how they handle their channel and general public.
Have a look at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA website. The TSB is listed there along with all the recalls that relate to an vehicle. As of today there is no recall for the steering gear box. Have a look.. Cheers!

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/JEEP/GLADIATOR#recalls

We complained for a year. Then the new steering gear was installed. It made a huge difference. It's not perfect. But it's better enough.

You're right. Fatal flaw for the first dealer that inspected was the 40 km/hr test drive. No problems there! Heck if he had taken it to the coffee shop we might have had a better test drive and better results.

@JeepCares really helped by referring me to FCA Jeep Canada Customer Cares. They required a statement by the Service Manager that the work was required. In other words, no matter what the tsb said FCA Jeep Canada requires a service appointment and diagnosis for the procedure to happen. That's ok. Different country. Different Company. The rep at FCA Jeep Canada Customer Cares was extremely helpful all through the process. Great respect for FCA Jeep Canada and the rep.

 

[PEI-Gladys]

We complained for a year. Then the new steering gear was installed. It made a huge difference. It's not perfect. But it's better enough.

You're right. Fatal flaw for the first dealer that inspected was the 40 km/hr test drive. No problems there! Heck if he had taken it to the coffee shop we might have had a better test drive and better results.

@JeepCares really helped by referring me to FCA Jeep Canada Customer Cares. They required a statement by the Service Manager that the work was required. In other words, no matter what the tsb said FCA Jeep Canada requires a service appointment and diagnosis for the procedure to happen. That's ok. Different country. Different Company. The rep at FCA Jeep Canada Customer Cares was extremely helpful all through the process. Great respect for FCA Jeep Canada and the rep.

Dave,
In Canada the procedure is not even consistent. I was in for a oil change and had a copy of the TSB. The service advisor looked at the TSB and found a newer version online. He printed the update and went directly to the service manager. A few minutes later he came out and said no problem, we will order the parts. There was never a test drive or any diagnosis, they went directly on my words as indicated for the process in the TSB. Initially I was led to believe it would be a long wait, as the parts could not even be ordered, according to the service advisor. To shorten the story, the whole process till the final install, was just two weeks. The actual install was about 2 hours. Not once did I every deal with anyone outside the dealership. Maybe I'm lucky, but the process worked for me exactly as I would have expected and can't believe what Jeep and some dealers have put their customers though. Cheers!

 

[DaveL]

Dave,
In Canada the procedure is not even consistent. I was in for a oil change and had a copy of the TSB. The service advisor looked at the TSB and found a newer version online. He printed the update and went directly to the service manager. A few minutes later he came out and said no problem, we will order the parts. There was never a test drive or any diagnosis, they went directly on my words as indicated for the process in the TSB. Initially I was led to believe it would be a long wait, as the parts could not even be ordered, according to the service advisor. To shorten the story, the whole process till the final install, was just two weeks. The actual install was about 2 hours. Not once did I every deal with anyone outside the dealership. Maybe I'm lucky, but the process worked for me exactly as I would have expected and can't believe what Jeep and some dealers have put their customers though. Cheers!

I know there's no consistency. I called FCA Jeep Canada after a terrible experience at the dealership that sold us our Wrangler. The Rep at FCA Jeep Canada Customer Care was really helpful. He used the system well. BUT it took a second service visit. The Service Manager agreed to the tsb. Now after that I don't know. How do dealers get parts? Do big dealers get parts easier? Don't know. Doesn't matter. The new steering gear was installed with help from FCA Jeep Canada Customer Care.

Seems like dealer is key. If you have a good one things go well. If you have a bad one, as I did, then I had to escalate.

I've had too many vehicles. It took a year to get the steering/handling problem resolved. A YEAR driving an unsafe vehicle. We virtually parked it during that time. It didn't see time on high speed highways at all.

 

[merc3065]

Had a good experience with my local dealership (not the one I bought from as that was over 3 hours away). Service advisor was pretty adamant that this was not really a problem and chalked it up to "that it's a Jeep thing" only because one of the sales team had driven a JT from another dealer for sale and mentioned the steering was pretty sloppy. At least they were willing to entertain my request without an issue.

I mentioned there was a TSB , they noted it and they took the vehicle for a short test drive and confirmed the symptoms. About 3-5 degrees of play on center before the vehicle would move to react left or right.

Only downside, parts are back ordered until February. Hopefully this takes the slop out of the steering when installed.

The way the truck currently handles reminds me of my 200000mi firebird when it had a worn steering box and rag joint.

 

[5JeepsAz]

Please Ignore this post if you haven't already ignored me.

What in the hell is going with this? How can this be ... that known steering issues are not resolved? For like a decade?!? I'm shocked we have a thing we call death wobble, and nobody gives two shits about the death or the wobble. Clearly we have some fca or other hi-fallutin exec or board members on here as forum members and jeepers. Well, you sucking hind titty on this one people. Do your job. Jeez!!!

 

[Rollcast]

Please Ignore this post if you haven't already ignored me.

What in the hell is going with this? How can this be ... that known steering issues are not resolved? For like a decade?!? I'm shocked we have a thing we call death wobble, and nobody gives two shits about the death or the wobble. Clearly we have some fca or other hi-fallutin exec or board members on here as forum members and jeepers. Well, you sucking hind titty on this one people. Do your job. Jeez!!!

You're taking about Death Wobble. The TSB is for Death Wander. Totally different.

 

[5JeepsAz]

You're taking about Death Wobble. The TSB is for Death Wander. Totally different.

So it's a variant!!!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So it's a variant!!!

Yes, but the latter spreads a lot faster. The infection rate is pretty high.

 

[GladGreg]

Took mine to the dealer today for the TSB. The service advisor I spoke to yesterday said he was familiar with the TSB and that they “probably” had the parts in stock since they’ve done a few others recently. The service rep I spoke to this morning when I dropped it off didn’t appear to be too familiar with the TSB and mentioned an “RRT” (rapid response). When I picked it up, they said they performed the RRT and that the steering issue should be resolved.

Can someone help me out with what the heck this means? When I drove it home, I did not notice any chances whatsoever. Here is a partial picture of the invoice...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Took mine to the dealer today for the TSB. The service advisor I spoke to yesterday said he was familiar with the TSB and that they “probably” had the parts in stock since they’ve done a few others recently. The service rep I spoke to this morning when I dropped it off didn’t appear to be too familiar with the TSB and mentioned an “RRT” (rapid response). When I picked it up, they said they performed the RRT and that the steering issue should be resolved.

Can someone help me out with what the heck this means? When I drove it home, I did not notice any chances whatsoever. Here is a partial picture of the invoice...

Tell them try again. IF they changed any parts, they must list said parts. T
hey didn't so much as change a bolt. You then sign the paper that shows the work done, the parts used, and they have to have that as proof in order to get their money for parts and labor from FCA/Jeep.

What they DID do was this - they did the PCM update -
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10180285-9999.pdf

Here is the reference directly to that RRT in this forum -
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...with-misfire-issues.24853/page-72#post-566624

 

[GladGreg]

Tell them try again. IF they changed any parts, they must list said parts. T
hey didn't so much as change a bolt. You then sign the paper that shows the work done, the parts used, and they have to have that as proof in order to get their money for parts and labor from FCA/Jeep.

What they DID do was this - they did the PCM update -
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10180285-9999.pdf

Here is the reference directly to that RRT in this forum -
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...with-misfire-issues.24853/page-72#post-566624

So it looks like they did nothing related to the steering TSB. I guess I need to take it back and bring a print-out of the TSB with me.

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