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

[JeepCares]

I'm overall not impressed with the TSB. I'm now several months post-TSB and honestly it's not much better. Aside from several glaring issues I had with the dealership, it's just disappointing. I bought a Teraflex Falcon steering stabilizer based on input I received here and from a few others I've chatted with. From my personal experience, it didn't do much. In my case (and I've read a few others here had a similar experience), the medium and firm settings actually made the steering issue more noticeable. I recently went down to "soft" and it's the least noticeable while driving. If it wasn't for all the work I've put in the truck and how much it would cost to get into a new Ram, I'd jump ship. Otherwise, I love certain aspects of it - it's just the actual driving experience at times is souring.

Consider contacting @JeepCares I bet they'll help you.

Dave

@JeepCares did not even try to help me. My dealer told @JeepCares that i had a lift and that was it for me i was done. All a dealer has to say is that they did everything then your pretty much on your own. I explained to @JeepCares that my dealer sells Gladiators with lifts as mine and asked do they refuse to service these once they are sold?? They had no answer. If i did not have soo much invested i would be out of this truck.

Got my JT back from the dealer. They didn't replace the steering box, citing it already has the updated version, which it does. But, they did do an alignment and found the front toe was way out. They pulled the toe back in to spec.

The way it was driving the toe being out does make sense. Now, it does drive better, stay in the lane better, no more drastic over-corrections. But, there is still a noticeable amount of dead play at the center of the steering.

Going to drive it for bit more and see if I'm fine with how it is, or take it back and have them address it further.

Thanks for tagging us, DaveL.

I hope I grabbed everyone, but if I missed someone please feel free to reach out too!

I would like to dig into everyone's concerns to see where I can best assist. Please send a private message with additional details including the date of the most recent dealer visit to get started. Thanks!

Kate
Jeep Cares

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[DaveL]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/attachments/tsb-08-003-21-pdf.420454/

I'm beyond frustrated. The steering gear was changed on our Wrangler. It's better; it's not good. There's a dead band on centre.

Now this new TSB would do additional work, and It's not been done on our Jeep.
* Alignment
* Replace track bar

The selling dealer did all maintenance except replacement of the steering gear. Their regular answer to a year of registered complaints was "It's a Jeep thing".

I'm an engineer.
I've driven Jeep since 1965.

Dave

 

[ducatirdr]

I had the TSB done yesterday. The JT came out of the shop with the steering wheel aimed about 45 degrees to the right and the steering was VERY heavy. I assume the box was swapped and that was it. No alignment and no e-steering update. I turned around and walked into service and told them that this wasn't completed per the full TSB. My vehicles have been BMW's in the past due to the amount of driving I was doing in sales. The service experience at this Dodge/Jeep dealership is a joke compared to premium brands. Much like electric windows, it's hard to go backwards and that goes for service that I assume most American vehicle owners are used to this crap.

I have been having a blast with my JT. Lots of off road and last summer the roof and doors were off the entire summer. But this type of thing has me thinking about getting rid of it the end of this summer.

UPDATE-

The Service Manager of the dealership reached out to me by phone and apologized profusely. He was embarrassed by the ordeal. Which made me feel a bit better that it wasn't so normal that steps were skipped on the TSB. He had the shop foreman finish the job and test drive it to make sure it was 100% perfect.

I drove the JT home via the interstate and noticed a lot less corrective steering. While it didn't drive like the RAM 1500 loaner I was given it did drive better than it was. Yup its a Jeep thing. I'm glad to have the Gladiator back but time driving the RAM showed me I'm getting old. LOL. DANG! That thing was comfortable to drive. HA! Come on Summer.

 

[DaveL]

Check out the new TSB. 08-03-21

Changes:
* It replaces the old one.
* It shows dealers how to deal with modified and lifted jeeps.
* Adds an alignment
* Adds a new track bar for older (like mine) JL's. Not JT's.

Shows Jeep has attempted to make the process idiot proof for dealers. So the right parts are installed on the Jeep JL or JT. Sorely needed.

Concern?
* How do we know if the software for power steering has been reflashed? After all the dealers have screwed this up for a number of owners in the past according to posts here and other forums.


My real concern. How about those of us that have had the steering gear replaced on the Jeep? Clearly there is more work to be done.

When will Jeep fix this problem @JeepCares It's still not done after 1-1/2 years.

 

[RH 67]

Check out the new TSB. 08-03-21

Changes:
* It replaces the old one.
* It shows dealers how to deal with modified and lifted jeeps.
* Adds an alignment
* Adds a new track bar for older (like mine) JL's. Not JT's.

Shows Jeep has attempted to make the process idiot proof for dealers. So the right parts are installed on the Jeep JL or JT. Sorely needed.

Concern?
* How do we know if the software for power steering has been reflashed? After all the dealers have screwed this up for a number of owners in the past according to posts here and other forums.


My real concern. How about those of us that have had the steering gear replaced on the Jeep? Clearly there is more work to be done.

When will Jeep fix this problem @JeepCares It's still not done after 1-1/2 years.

It clearly has to be dealers dropping the ball and just not wanting to do the work and really not caring about the costumer. My rep from @JeepCares was clearly bullied by my dealer so i have little faith that i can have the issue resolved.

 

[RH 67]

Thanks for tagging us, DaveL.

I hope I grabbed everyone, but if I missed someone please feel free to reach out too!

I would like to dig into everyone's concerns to see where I can best assist. Please send a private message with additional details including the date of the most recent dealer visit to get started. Thanks!

Kate
Jeep Cares

Kate @JeepCares hate to be negative but what can be done now that could not have been done earlier? The @JeepCares rep i had told me that i was out of luck and hung up on me. Will things be different this time? I do not want to waste my time again and have my truck sitting at the dealer another 3-4 days.

 

[SkyKing]

Hi @JeepCares,
I’m going to take my 2020 JT in to have work done. What’s the best way to ensure I’m taken care of without experiencing what other owners have?
Bentonville AR has a dealer but I purchased the Jeep in Broken Arrow OK.
Honestly I wasn’t impressed with sales department at Bentonville dealer. Should I expect something different from service department?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Just got mine back today from the dealership, Hendricks had mine done in 4hrs and that's replacing the 3rd brake light as well and doing the programming and alignment. I'll tell you this, I thought mine was driving great and I guess I have been fooled by the fact the the next day after I bought it I had the BFG 315 70 17 ko2s put on and I just was thinking the little shimmy in the steering was front that. It wasn't bad but I could feel something but like I said I just figured it was the more aggressive tires. Man this thing drives like a brand new truck, even the steering feel like I can turn in places a lot easier. Had it up to 75 just now on I-85 and no shimmy and it feels like I'm feeling way less of the road as well.

I'm one to admit when I'm wrong and I was wrong about this one. If anyone hasn't had it done you got to do it even if you think your steering isn't bad. It was definitely enough of difference that I noticed it immediately.

Another kudos at Shout out to Hendricks Dodge Jeep and Ram in Concord, NC another solid job performed by those guys. That's why I do business with them

 

[TrevorAZ]

Once the TSB is completed, do they flash your ECU or anything? I’ve updated changes using the JSCAN and didn’t know if I’d have to go back and reflash it or if the changes would be saved

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Just got mine back today from the dealership, Hendricks had mine done in 4hrs and that's replacing the 3rd brake light as well and doing the programming and alignment. I'll tell you this, I thought mine was driving great and I guess I have been fooled by the fact the the next day after I bought it I had the BFG 315 70 17 ko2s put on and I just was thinking the little shimmy in the steering was front that. It wasn't bad but I could feel something but like I said I just figured it was the more aggressive tires. Man this thing drives like a brand new truck, even the steering feel like I can turn in places a lot easier. Had it up to 75 just now on I-85 and no shimmy and it feels like I'm feeling way less of the road as well.

I'm one to admit when I'm wrong and I was wrong about this one. If anyone hasn't had it done you got to do it even if you think your steering isn't bad. It was definitely enough of difference that I noticed it immediately.

Another kudos at Shout out to Hendricks Dodge Jeep and Ram in Concord, NC another solid job performed by those guys. That's why I do business with them

Once the TSB is completed, do they flash your ECU or anything? I’ve updated changes using the JSCAN and didn’t know if I’d have to go back and reflash it or if the changes would be saved

They are supposed to do a update of some kind and alignment. I am using Jscan and they did whatever update was supposed to happen on mine and it didn't affect anything I had set with the Jscan . Also for reference on the alignment, not sure if this is my dealership related or across the board but Hendricks told me because they replace the steering box and it required a alignment that the JT qualified for lifetime alignment. They pretty much said as long as I own it if it goes out of align to bring it in and they would line it back up at no charge.

 

[Midviet]

Thanks for tagging us, DaveL.

I hope I grabbed everyone, but if I missed someone please feel free to reach out too!

I would like to dig into everyone's concerns to see where I can best assist. Please send a private message with additional details including the date of the most recent dealer visit to get started. Thanks!

Kate
Jeep Cares

Hello Kate,

I have tried to get mine done, however the dealership has kept me waiting for months already. I thought this would have been addressed already, however it seems like FCA has other priorities other than costumer service.

 

[Moe_Fugga]

For anyone in GA, where did you take yours and how was the experience? I’m looking to avoid an asshole service manager or the inept mechanic who is going to mess up my Jeep. Thanks!

 

[steffen707]

For anyone in GA, where did you take yours and how was the experience? I’m looking to avoid an asshole service manager or the inept mechanic who is going to mess up my Jeep. Thanks!

Maybe the Georgia DOT needs to re-vote on the TSB???? Sorry, it was all the creativity i could muster.

 

[JeepCares]

Was just at my local Jeep dealership and they told me they have the Steering Box kits BUT...they're missing BOLTS.

My Steering Box is there but they continue waiting for BOLTS which are backordered. Said they should/could be arriving within the next 2-4 weeks.

Hey, WhatExit?. If you'd like any assistance getting this addressed, please reach out to our team in PM.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[JeepCares]

Check out the new TSB. 08-03-21

Changes:
* It replaces the old one.
* It shows dealers how to deal with modified and lifted jeeps.
* Adds an alignment
* Adds a new track bar for older (like mine) JL's. Not JT's.

Shows Jeep has attempted to make the process idiot proof for dealers. So the right parts are installed on the Jeep JL or JT. Sorely needed.

Concern?
* How do we know if the software for power steering has been reflashed? After all the dealers have screwed this up for a number of owners in the past according to posts here and other forums.


My real concern. How about those of us that have had the steering gear replaced on the Jeep? Clearly there is more work to be done.

When will Jeep fix this problem @JeepCares It's still not done after 1-1/2 years.

Hey, DaveL. If you're still experiencing concerns, we would like to get you back to the dealership. Send us a private message if you'd like assistance.

Kate
Jeep Cares

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