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

[Scrubb84]

I picked up mine today, Wow! I didn't really think I would notice until highway but first turn out of dealer it felt so much tighter. The old steering felt like our 1980 Chev Bel Air station wagon that I learned to drive on...super loose and unresponsive. I only drove it home but couldn't believe how great it felt. Dealer of course messed up and didn't order the correct bolts. I even mentioned it when I took it in for TSB appointment and they approved and created a work order. I said "make sure you order bolts as I have read that a lot of people have ordered gear and it did not have the right sized bolts". I was told...Yes all good as it comes as a kit, when they called to say parts were in I asked if bolts are there too, Yes we are good. Drop it off Friday first thing and get a call late Friday afternoon, the gear is installed but the bolts don't fit...can't get new ones until 9am Monday. Can we keep it over the weekend? The outcome was worth the hassle and wait. I just wonder how it ever got past original road test by Jeep Engineers and not flagged as an issue right away. I look forward to driving it out of town and getting it on an open road.

I think the jeep engineers need to have training on feeler gauges. The tolerances in these steering boxes is horrendous and dangerous. Not to mention there is absolutely zero quality control at the manufacturing plant overseas. I was told that, by contract they only had to pass 30% of these boxes through quality control. But it’s pretty obvious they don’t even do that.

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[DobaMark]

Many of the experienced Jeep engineers were probably busy designing the Bronco while this was happening. FCA was content letting experienced workers go and replacing them with cheaper new hires. Ford benefitted from this.

 

[LERubi585]

I took mine in to the dealership today due to getting an ESS service message. They confirmed it is a bad auxiliary battery, shocker. I asked them to look at the steering too since I have been dealing with the wondering issue like everyone else. I handed them a copy of the TSB issued on January 9th and they said they would look into it. Called me back an hour later and told me they have been advised by FCA to complete the steering gear replacement whenever receiving any complaints related to the most recent TSB. Parts are 3 days out, we will see if that changes. Thought this would be good info for anyone on the fence about trying to get the TSB done.

 

[Scrubb84]

New version just became available today. 68507576A’B’
Not that it really matters. I bet nothing has changed except for the sticker on the side of the box. Still no quality control. Still sloppy and dangerous.
They will continue to come out with “new revised boxes” every so often to make it seem like they are trying to fix the problem. In reality they simply don’t want to spend the money to actually have the unethical manufacturing process fixed.
IMO

 

[MrFahrenheit]

Had mine back for a week or so now after having the TSB done and it is quite a difference. I actually have to get used to how to drive it again. I was so used to over correcting through the dead spot and now that the Jeep responds to immediate input I am over correcting every little movement. I actually thought it still wandered until I realized it was just the jeep actually turning when I turned the wheel. My wife noticed a huge improvement and said it now drives just like her car. I'm happy with the results.

 

[kelkolb]

Had mine back for a week or so now after having the TSB done and it is quite a difference. I actually have to get used to how to drive it again. I was so used to over correcting through the dead spot and now that the Jeep responds to immediate input I am over correcting every little movement. I actually thought it still wandered until I realized it was just the jeep actually turning when I turned the wheel. My wife noticed a huge improvement and said it now drives just like her car. I'm happy with the results.

Same here. Had mine back about 5 days now and it's definitely taken some adjusting to for the better. Not sure why others still seem to have issues.

 

[Scrubb84]

Not sure why others still seem to have issues.

Are my posts invisible to you? I spelled it out for you in my last few posts. Just sayin

 

[kelkolb]

Are my posts invisible to you? I spelled it out for you in my last few posts. Just sayin

You seem to be one of the only complaints I've seen and even then, your last few posts don't seem to address specifics about your experience. Sorry if I'm not going to go back and look at 160+ pages of thread.

 

[tedb]

I made my appointment for next week Friday to get the TSB taken care of with only 4,200mi on my Gladiator that i picked up last June . The steering is very sloppy - much worse than my old JK with a 3" lift and 34" Tires. Hopefully, it will be taken care of quickly.

Just posting a quick update.

I took my Gladiator to the dealer on Friday. They confirmed that the "gear" needed to be replaced as the TSB stated and that it would take months for the part to come in. I was surprised when they called back yesterday stating that the parts were in and I could schedule the repair. Due to my schedule, it'll have to wait until Monday but it seems that maybe Jeep/FCA have their supply issued sorted out now?

 

[kelkolb]

Just posting a quick update.

I took my Gladiator to the dealer on Friday. They confirmed that the "gear" needed to be replaced as the TSB stated and that it would take months for the part to come in. I was surprised when they called back yesterday stating that the parts were in and I could schedule the repair. Due to my schedule, it'll have to wait until Monday but it seems that maybe Jeep/FCA have their supply issued sorted out now?

Mine went the same way. It showed backorder indefinitely and then came in 5 or 6 days. Pleasant surprise!

 

[OLAF 4X4]

I just picked up my new 2021 Rubicon Diesel from the dealership last week. It is all over the road. Is this an issue for brand new gladiators?

 

[kelkolb]

I just picked up my new 2021 Rubicon Diesel from the dealership last week. It is all over the road. Is this an issue for brand new gladiators?

Completely stock?

 

[JTRUBI]

So here’s my experience. Tbh my steering wasn’t that bad on my Gladiator prior to getting my TSB done. It tracked straight, didn’t wander much, I actually found it a massive improvement over my J. But I took it on about a 2000km road trip and I noticed it started to wander a bit more than it was prior.
FYI I’m on a Mopar lift ( dealer installed) and 37” BFG KO2s.
So I decided I’d get the TSB done when I came back. Parts ordered and the following day it was done. Right away a huge improvement. Defn tighter, no wandering at all. It felt at the time like a win.
But it wasn’t. I noticed a few days later hitting expansion cracks, man home covers, the steering would jerk hard and on the highway I have to now really hold onto the wheel when I get up to those areas. Prior to the Tsb I didn’t really have an issue with it.
Tbh I wish I could go back to the steering prior. It was a nicer drive.
Not really sure what to do besides just live with it now.

 

[Skull]

Mine after about 3000 miles after TSB is back to wandering maybe not as bad but getting close to the old aluminum box...2” mopar lift 37” tires since new.

 

[OLAF 4X4]

Completely stock?

yes

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