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

[mbush91]

Steering in my 2021 Willys sucks at highway speed. Was built in Jan. Anyone know if the TSB effects the 2021 models?

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[Canuck33]

Well...sadly the steering box replacement didn't fix my right pull issue. The steering is better and tighter, but the pull is still there. It is dangerous on both city streets and highways. On the highway I have to hold the steering left to change from the left lane to the right lane!!!!!

@JeepCares If there is anything you can do. I don't have anything crazy on my JT...35 Wildpeaks, Metalcloack 1.5 inch lift, and Falcon 2.1 shocks. It's been back to the aftermarket shop and everything was verified within spec and did the TSB, and even had four alignments, three tire rotations, and some investigation work at the Jeep dealer....and it still pulls right.

Love my JT...need to get this fixed (quickly preferably) or I may have to entertain getting rid of it.

 

[kelkolb]

Well...sadly the steering box replacement didn't fix my right pull issue. The steering is better and tighter, but the pull is still there. It is dangerous on both city streets and highways. On the highway I have to hold the steering left to change from the left lane to the right lane!!!!!

@JeepCares If there is anything you can do. I don't have anything crazy on my JT...35 Wildpeaks, Metalcloack 1.5 inch lift, and Falcon 2.1 shocks. It's been back to the aftermarket shop and everything was verified within spec and did the TSB, and even had four alignments, three tire rotations, and some investigation work at the Jeep dealer....and it still pulls right.

Love my JT...need to get this fixed (quickly preferably) or I may have to entertain getting rid of it.

Have you taken off the stabilizer and seen if the pull is still there then?

 

[Canuck33]

Have you taken off the stabilizer and seen if the pull is still there then?

I haven't yet....that was next up. I was thinking about the Falcon steering stabilizer as my last fix. I may try and remove it this week and see what happens.

 

[kelkolb]

I haven't yet....that was next up. I was thinking about the Falcon steering stabilizer as my last fix. I may try and remove it this week and see what happens.

Stabilizer won't (and shouldn't) fix it, but it could be causing the pull.

 

[T8T]

I haven't yet....that was next up. I was thinking about the Falcon steering stabilizer as my last fix. I may try and remove it this week and see what happens.

It didn’t fix it in my case. I put the stock one back on, same results.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

My 2020 JTR is at the dealer right now for the TSB work. Took it in beginning of November, was approved for the TSB work. Waited for parts like everyone else. Last week had it in for an oil change and they let me know the steering parts were in. 3.5 months wait. But then...I also have been sitting on installing an AEV 2.5 lift and a Steersmarts front track bar. The dealer is big AEV shop so I brought the whole kit in when I dropped off for TSB work. They are doing the TSB and then the lift install. Pick it up tomorrow. Going to feel like a very different vehicle.

Dang that seems like a crazy long wait for parts. I told them I wanted the TSB done on mine on January 6th and Feb 8th they told me that had the parts. 3.5 months is a long wait. I'm still trying to figure out if mine drives any different after the install but not long afterwards I had 37's installed.

 

[Canuck33]

I'm pretty disappointed. This pull just makes driving it not fun...everything else I love, but if you don't like driving a vehicle, everything else is essentially a waste.

Sent my inquiry about a Ford Bronco today...we'll see what happens.

 

[JRegister]

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.

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.

@JTRUBI @Skull - Have you guys gone back to the dealer regarding the steering getting worse again yet?

The same thing is happening to me. I had the new steering box installed back in October 2020 and the steering has felt great until now...

Yesterday I had to do a trip on the interstate for an hour or so... Every time I hit a hard bump in the road at 75 MPH, I'd have to grip the steering wheel hard to keep the Jeep from swerving. Now it was a windy day. However, it just didn't feel normal and was super challenging/tiring trying to keep the Jeep in my lane.

Wasn't sure if it was even worth the hassle in going back to the dealership or if I should try the Synergy or Steer Smarts brace to see if that would fix things...

 

[cecaa850]

I'm pretty disappointed. This pull just makes driving it not fun...everything else I love, but if you don't like driving a vehicle, everything else is essentially a waste.

Sent my inquiry about a Ford Bronco today...we'll see what happens.

Has anyone checked to see if you have excessive brake drag at one wheel? Have they jacked the front end off the ground, started the vehicle and see if the wheels go to one side? Has the thrust angle been checked? Have the tires been swapped side to side to see if you have a tire pull? Tire pull is more common than you think and can pull hard.

 

[JeepCares]

Steering in my 2021 Willys sucks at highway speed. Was built in Jan. Anyone know if the TSB effects the 2021 models?

Well...sadly the steering box replacement didn't fix my right pull issue. The steering is better and tighter, but the pull is still there. It is dangerous on both city streets and highways. On the highway I have to hold the steering left to change from the left lane to the right lane!!!!!

@JeepCares If there is anything you can do. I don't have anything crazy on my JT...35 Wildpeaks, Metalcloack 1.5 inch lift, and Falcon 2.1 shocks. It's been back to the aftermarket shop and everything was verified within spec and did the TSB, and even had four alignments, three tire rotations, and some investigation work at the Jeep dealer....and it still pulls right.

Love my JT...need to get this fixed (quickly preferably) or I may have to entertain getting rid of it.

Sorry to hear of your steering concerns, mbush91 and Canuck33. Although the TSB does not apply to 2021 model years, the dealer should still be able to take a look and see if repairs would need to be made. If either of you would like assistance, please separately message our team with more details.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[JTRUBI]

I actually work at the dealership ( in sales though) but haven’t had them take a look.
I probably will get them too one of these days though.

@JTRUBI @Skull - Have you guys gone back to the dealer regarding the steering getting worse again yet?

The same thing is happening to me. I had the new steering box installed back in October 2020 and the steering has felt great until now...

Yesterday I had to do a trip on the interstate for an hour or so... Every time I hit a hard bump in the road at 75 MPH, I'd have to grip the steering wheel hard to keep the Jeep from swerving. Now it was a windy day. However, it just didn't feel normal and was super challenging/tiring trying to keep the Jeep in my lane.

Wasn't sure if it was even worth the hassle in going back to the dealership or if I should try the Synergy or Steer Smarts brace to see if that would fix things...

 

[JRegister]

I actually work at the dealership ( in sales though) but haven’t had them take a look.
I probably will get them too one of these days though.

Got it. Yea for sure let us know if they find any issues that would cause the steering issues to reoccur with the new box. Would be curious to know. Thanks brother! @JTRUBI

 

[Skull]

@JTRUBI @Skull - Have you guys gone back to the dealer regarding the steering getting worse again yet?

The same thing is happening to me. I had the new steering box installed back in October 2020 and the steering has felt great until now...

Yesterday I had to do a trip on the interstate for an hour or so... Every time I hit a hard bump in the road at 75 MPH, I'd have to grip the steering wheel hard to keep the Jeep from swerving. Now it was a windy day. However, it just didn't feel normal and was super challenging/tiring trying to keep the Jeep in my lane.

Wasn't sure if it was even worth the hassle in going back to the dealership or if I should try the Synergy or Steer Smarts brace to see if that would fix things...

I have not returned to the dealer because it is so far away and the workmanship left a lot to be desired than to have to go through it again...big hassle. I think I will wait to see if another revision to the TSB comes out. Surrounded by so many sorry dealers with awful technicians. Sad but true, but it is what it is nowadays.

 

[Canuck33]

@JeepCares I have taken it to three different dealers, two aftermarket shops, and they have had it on hoists, apart, and reviewed everything. This pull is one of the most frustrating things I have every faced in a vehicle.

At this point it is dangerous to drive and Jeep should be addressing this huge safety issue (recall? / Lemon?). If I have to hold the wheel to the left to change lanes from left to right, that is a major problem to say the least.

@cecaa850 Yes...checked all of those things and more. Tires have been rotated three times...always the same issue. Checked brakes, alignment, track arms, alignment (4 times now!), thrust angle, axle alignment, TSB fix, etc. The only thing left is the steering stabilizer (which shouldn't fix this) or somehow putting stock tires on to see if that is the issue. I'm running the Wildpeak AT's...size 315/70R17 with Black Panzer wheels...neither of which should drive the pull I'm seeing. Metalcloack 2.5 with Falcon SP2 2.1 Shocks. I may upgrade the steering stabilizer with the Falcon 2.2 Nexus...but if that fixes the pull, I'd be astonished (but should help with a bit of the steering jump, etc.).

What is crazy is I can feel the pull in the steering wheel. Turning left, there is more tension than when I turn it right. Also, after the TSB, the wheel now automatically sits off center at neutral...second time this has occurred.

To say I'm upset & frustrated would be an understatement. If I hated my JT, I would just trade it in...but I love it...minus the steering pull.

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