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

[Rocksalt]

To be honest it was probably a gradual process but I think I grew used to the issue so didn't notice as much. The notchy steering seemed to happen over the last month. What i have noticed is the notchy problem is now gone and the steering is much tighter after the repair. I didn't realize it was so loose until it got tight if that makes sense.

thanks like I said, no issues so far but will keep an eye on it

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[Rocksalt]

a lot of folks replying say they " thought" they didnt have issues until after they had upgrade.
I can honestly say I have zero issues. One hand easy 80 mph. I am not saying others did not have issues. I am not saying I may not have issues down the road. I am saying I have zero issues so far

 

[Rollcast]

a lot of folks replying say they " thought" they didnt have issues until after they had upgrade.
I can honestly say I have zero issues. One hand easy 80 mph. I am not saying others did not have issues. I am not saying I may not have issues down the road. I am saying I have zero issues so far

I believe you. When I test drove a random JT after they first came out, the handling was fantastic. I even commented to my wife about it.

 

[Hurricane]

I believe you. When I test drove a random JT after they first came out, the handling was fantastic. I even commented to my wife about it.

I had mine replaced after waiting 2.5 months for the parts. Mine was not bad before but it is definitely a lot better now. Would suggest to get it done even if you think you dont have a problem.

 

[foxman350]

What am I looking for regarding this? I’m pretty sure the 2020 I just bought has the old style box as it was built 6/20. I don’t feel a dead spot in middle, and it seems to track straight, but coming from other vehicles it feels looser, not sure if this fixes that or it is just a solid axle thing.

 

[Hurricane]

What am I looking for regarding this? I’m pretty sure the 2020 I just bought has the old style box as it was built 6/20. I don’t feel a dead spot in middle, and it seems to track straight, but coming from other vehicles it feels looser, not sure if this fixes that or it is just a solid axle thing.

I am sure you have the old box. My was built 10/20. As far as I know all of the 2020 have the aluminum steering gear.

 

[Higher_Ground]

What am I looking for regarding this? I’m pretty sure the 2020 I just bought has the old style box as it was built 6/20. I don’t feel a dead spot in middle, and it seems to track straight, but coming from other vehicles it feels looser, not sure if this fixes that or it is just a solid axle thing.

I have not had my fixed, but I also don't have a dead spot. The steering is however very "loose" and that is how I plan to describe it if I have to take it in. The wheel feels like it turns too far and too fast before you can feel any feedback from the tires. It tends to mean that unless you are very vigilant or on an exceptionally smooth road the vehicle tends to move around the lane.

Like a lot of others I can drive with one hand without fearing for my life. I want to get it fixed but I want to let people who have safety concerns get theirs done first. It was a limited run (though an entire year's worth) so eventually there won't be any left to replace.

 

[Rocksalt]

I have not had my fixed, but I also don't have a dead spot. The steering is however very "loose" and that is how I plan to describe it if I have to take it in. The wheel feels like it turns too far and too fast before you can feel any feedback from the tires. It tends to mean that unless you are very vigilant or on an exceptionally smooth road the vehicle tends to move around the lane.

Like a lot of others I can drive with one hand without fearing for my life. I want to get it fixed but I want to let people who have safety concerns get theirs done first. It was a limited run (though an entire year's worth) so eventually there won't be any left to replace.

mine with old steering box and turns as expected.. just as straight and true and responsive as my 2016 JKU. Again, seems like many have issues that need to be corrected. So far, mine has none. If begin to notice dead spots or constant correction then I will pursue a steering box upgrade. Until I have any problems... not gonna fix what aint broken.

 

[jimbom]

Today was perfect for evaluating the new steering box. I took it out on I-10 in a cross wind blowing 15/gusting 25. Lots of big trucks to pass and the buffeting was pounding the Jeep. At first I was way over-correcting because muscle memory had me swinging the wheel through the dead zone that was now tiny, if not altogether gone. Unlike before the fix, it only took little corrections to keep the truck perfectly centered in the lane.

I know mine wasn't as bad as some of yours because I once rented a JL that I had trouble keeping inside the lines on a straight road in zero wind. That bad or not, get it done, I say!

Timing was great and I'm relieved because as circumstances have it, I'm going to be regularly driving between states which I never intended to do with the Jeep -- and probably wouldn't have traded my Ram for the Jeep last year if I had seen this coming. I am going to switch out my tires, in fact I picked up a set of rims -- Wrangler take offs -- that I'm going to put some straight up touring tires on. I'll still have my mud terrains ready to throw on for off-road fun. However, I'll probably get some critical looks with my Rubicon sporting Michelin shoes. But with new tires and this improved steering, I'm now looking forward to cruising the interstate in my Glad!

 

[Vladiator]

My truck was built on 12/19. The steering was loose like a 1970’s solid axle car from the 70’s. After trying to get the steering gear replaced for 3 months it finally happened, thanks to @JeepCares. I can now drive this truck on the freeway without feeling like it’s slightly out of control.

 

[Deleted member 30519]

I picked mine up this morning after having it completed but I haven't really felt much of a difference. It's extremely windy today so maybe that could be why Idk.

 

[PEI-Gladys]

Just a quick summary and update on my experience in Eastern Canada with my dealer. By no means does it seem typical for the majority of posters unless they have gotten @JeepCares involved FCA Jeep Canada Customer Care.

Nov. 24, Stopped into the dealer. Quick chat. Not even a test drive, service advisor will order the parts.

Nov. 26. Service advisor indicated all parts would arrive in 2 days with the exception of the gearbox. At this point, it could be 4-5 weeks before the gearbox could even be ordered.

Nov. 30 JTR dropped off for first oil change etc.. Service advisor indicated he was actually able to order the gearbox. But, I should not expect it to arrive for a long while.

Dec. 4, Gearbox has arrived, appointment booked for Dec 7th.

Dec 7, Gearbox installed. Huge difference in steering!!

Basically two weeks... for the complete process.

Cheers!

Quick Update.. still pleased with the new gearbox but after driving a bit more I noticed the steering wheel was a bit off centre. When to the dealer and asked for it to be fixed and mentioned the new TSB now included an alignment. The service advisor said no go as the gearbox was replaced in Dec. I explained I hadn't been really driving a lot but he would not budge even with it now included in the newest TSB. The service manager overheard our conversation and said he would check with the district manger to see if it could be covered. Heard back the next day and yes they will cover the alignment, which I figure will fix the off centre steering wheel, since it's not off a whole lot The Jeep goes in Tuesday. Cheers!

 

[Rocksalt]

if it aint broke ... yadda yadda...

 

[CDN_Launch]

Daniel is right - find another dealer.
Go to page one of this thread - there's a link in post 1, page 1. That's the TSB. Print it, take it to a different dealer.
There is NO CRITERIA - no "FCA notice checklist" to deal with.
They are to check for some codes, make sure it's kosher in that there's nothing else causing it, then the last line on page 1 of the TSB says if there are no codes, no other errors, proceed with the replacement as per page 2 of the TSB.

You have a JT made for the North American market - so you are covered.
Trim level, version, month of build, VIN, none of that matters, period.
You only need to have two things -
a JT made for the North American market + steering wander, pull, or looseness.
So this bunk of "notice checklist" is BS - unless you have other stored codes and so on.
This is the exact instructions from FCA/Jeep to all dealers -period =

DIAGNOSIS:
Using a Scan Tool (wiTECH) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures available in
DealerCONNECT/Service Library, verify all related systems are functioning as designed. If
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) or symptom conditions, other than the ones listed above are
present, record the issues on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further
with this bulletin.
If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Repair Procedure

That last line above says it all - they have no out. Page 1, last sentence -
If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Repair Procedure

Point that out to them.

OK, great advice. After taking to another dealer (Palladium Jeep, Kanata) they were awesome. The service manager test drive my Ruby and he owns one, said he will order the parts and get it fixed. Offered me to bring back or a free rental, while I wait. Took the free rental as not driving much in covid anyways, and wanted to get fastest fix.
Parts took forever to get from US due to covid, but after 3+ weeks, they got them and they changed the whole steering box/gear and flashed the ECU.
Now steers exactly as it should, no wandering, no fatigue, just perfect!!

Southbank Dodge, where I bought it has lost a customer forever and Palladium has gained one. All my service and our next purchase for the Mrs too.
So happy this is finally over, wow.

 

[DaveL]

Here's a copy of post 2190 on the Wrangler forum--same topic.

Concern is: Was the computer refreshed when the dealer did the steering gear change? The writer describes that his WASN'T. And this is how he knew:

" For those who didn't see an improvement or got worse after the new steering box, this might help:

SUMMARY: Dealer didn't update the steering pump software per the TSB, even though they said they did. To verify, get the specific "Options Report" printout from the dealership that shows either 5SY or 70F for the "Steering Pump & Gear Service Plan", don't trust the dealer service invoice that says they updated the software. Two different dealerships told me it was up to date, even my original steering gear replacement invoice said the software was updated, 3rd dealership showed me it WAS NOT updated on the "Options Report". All slop in the steering wheel is 100% gone after the 3rd dealership updated it to 70F. Finally drives like a Jeep now. I got suspicious because of lack of whining noise when the steering wheel is turned. The software update appears to increase the voltage on the steering pump, causing the whining sound (it isn't obnoxious, just an indicator the steering pump is on/active). In your case, you still might hear the whining noise with the old software, as some on other forums said they heard the whining noise before and after the software update. Point is, verify the software was updated via the options report print out, don't take their word for it.

DETAIL: It is very important to verify that they actually updated the steering pump software from 5SY to 70F via the Options Report not the dealer service invoice. In my case, the new cast iron steering box made some improvement, but not significant. Still had 2" of play, constantly correcting to keep it in lane. Very disappointed after seeing the success stories on this site. The dealership that replaced the steering box with the new cast iron version failed to update the EHPS (step 2 in TSB 08-074-20) and the steering pump software (steps 4 & 5) even though the invoice stated they updated the software. They also failed to replace the track bar for build dates before January 22 2019 (steps 12 & 13). After reading a few steering posts about a whining sound that people are hearing from the steering pump and I didn't hear any whining sound from mine, I started to wonder if they updated the software. I went back to the original dealer, they took it into the shop, said it was up to date. I went to another dealer, paid the hourly minimum charge, they too said it was up to date. I went to a 3rd dealership, and they hooked my JLU up to their service computer / DealerConnect and printed out an "Options Report" that the other two dealerships did not offer. It showed that the "Steering Pump and Gear Service Plan" was 5SY. F**KERS. I new the original dealership that replaced the steering box screwed up due to their attitude when I asked to verify. Note: See JD Powers surveys for the past 10+ years showing Jeep, Ram, Fiat dealers dead last in customer satisfaction. This third dealership updated to the correct steering box software, reprinted it, now it says 70F and ALL of the slop in steering is 100% gone. Point is, GET THE SPECIFIC PRINT OUT THAT SHOWS EITHER 5SY or 70F for the steering pump software. I did some research, but it looks like none of the menus in the radio will show this information. My only clue was the lack of a high pitched sound coming from the steering pump when the steering wheel is turned. You will need someone to turn your steering wheel back and forth while the JL is on and in park while you stand in front on the passenger side (right below the steering pump reservoir). I can now hear the whining sound from the steering pump, and ZERO slack in the steering wheel when driving at any speed."

Here's a link. Thanks to californiajeepn.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-20-for-improved-steering-feel.56363/page-146

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