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

[BAT]

Initial after driving home. Steering seems tighter. Not much play at all in the steering anymore. Haven't had a chance to really get it on the highway yet since the drive home was just through a bunch of red lights, etc. But so far it seems more responsive but will need to drive more at higher speeds to see for sure

So today I had a chance to take it out on the highway at higher speeds and some distance in and out of freeway traffic. So far so good. The steering is noticeably better at this stage. There is very little play in the steering and much of the wander at higher speeds seems to be gone. I had gotten so used to the previous steering this is kind of like getting a new feel for it since it responds quickly to inputs from the wheel. They did put in the New AB Box from what I see on the paper work.

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[Vtur]

So today I had a chance to take it out on the highway at higher speeds and some distance in and out of freeway traffic. So far so good. The steering is noticeably better at this stage. There is very little play in the steering and much of the wander at higher speeds seems to be gone. I had gotten so used to the previous steering this is kind of like getting a new feel for it since it responds quickly to inputs from the wheel. They did put in the New AB Box from what I see on the paper work.

Sounds great. I'm waiting on some 4mm hex bits so i can try to adjust mine AB again, as i snapped both of my Craftsman bits.

 

[EezyE]

Took mine in today as one of the soft top frame corners has caused a tear in the top and mentioned the service bulletin. They said they’d evaluate it after looking at the top. They placed the order for the new steering box and a new top. They didn’t know when the box would arrive but was sure the top would be here first.

 

[krweatherl]

I’m feeling pretty fortunate here. Called a week ago to schedule my JTR for its first oil change, asked about the steering tsb. The assistant service manager checked my vin to see if mine qualified, ordered the parts without needing to inspect mine. The box was replaced today. I only had a slight right pull that seems to be a bit less noticeable now.

 

[seven30]

I’m feeling pretty fortunate here. Called a week ago to schedule my JTR for its first oil change, asked about the steering tsb. The assistant service manager checked my vin to see if mine qualified, ordered the parts without needing to inspect mine. The box was replaced today. I only had a slight right pull that seems to be a bit less noticeable now.

Somewhere there must be a large pile of aluminum steering boxes!

 

[BuckSawLilandtheGoose]

I just took mine to RIck Hendrix Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge in the Charleston area. They said the reason my truck felt loose was because my track bar bolts were not torqued correctly......I told them it has had the issue since the day I picked it up from the dealer last year. So of course when i pulled out of the lot it still felt exactly the same as when i got there. So I asked if we could compare it to a new Gladiator and the response was "well they are hard to keep in stock, we really don't have any to compare it to"...meanwhile there were about 10 or 12 parked in the front.....will never take it there again. Next closest dealer is 84 miles away......

 

[CMac]

Somewhere there must be a large pile of aluminum steering boxes!

Ya, probably in a central warehouse, being readied to go back to Jeep Toledo for refit/reinstallation in the 2022 models.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thank goodness they can't do that........... I can imagine some companies pulling that sort of thing, not unlike VW cheating, faking things to get through emissions.

 

[Scrubb84]

Ya, probably in a central warehouse, being readied to go back to Jeep Toledo for refit/reinstallation in the 2022 models.

HA! It will be in the brochure as “UPGRADED STEERING BOX”

 

[ElDirector]

Had my 2020 Rubi at the dealer Friday for the "vague steering" TSB. As soon as I mentioned it, the service writer was "Yep, pretty common. Let us take a look." A couple of hours later, they confirmed and ordered parts. Per the service writer, they have done quite a few, and know exactly what to do. Here is hoping. Parts should be in on Wednesday.

UPDATE:
Parts finally came in last week. TSB for the steering completed, along with a replacement radio (mine was rebooting every few minutes, especially when using the GPS). Steering issue resolved, as far as I can tell. Still so much "lighter" than my wife's JK, but no slop or vagueness.

My OCD noticed the EVER so slight off-center of the steering wheel after the alignment. If it REALLY bugs me, I can recenter. Probably just 1/8 of a twist to the drag link.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've driven mine enough times, miles, varied roads and conditions now to say - second time was a charm. Steering is centered, no wandering, you move the steering wheel, those tires move - running or not running. There's no play.
I wouldn't mind having it "fight a bit more" meaning a tad more caster, but that's on me - I did change springs and put 3/4" spacers under it giving it a roughly 1.25" "lift" up front so I can't say there's any sort of a problem. And if I never end up getting lower arms, that's fine too, because I see no trouble taking it across the country a couple of times this year - Colorado Springs first, then St. Augustine, FL later in the year.
So I guess I'd say to other JT owners, have hope. Mine was actually almost made worse by the steering gear swap last fall, the second new gear fixed it.

Mine from the factory was not as bad as some had it. My truck originally had some wander, but not loose like some could show in video. It just wasn't like it should have been.
The first new steering gear made it better for a while, reduced wander, a bit "tighter" but that gradually changed and it got to the point it was WORSE than when it was new.
Now it is as it should be, actually better than it was when new and comparable to our other vehicles. (well, my wife's WK2 with RACK AND PINION steering still wins but I bet I can go over bigger rocks than she can)

 

[seven30]

I wanted to post an update concerning steering. I swapped out the MT tires on my Mojave for some Cooper AT3 since I drive between Colorado and Texas several times a year. Although I dont have the horrid steering issues some have the AT tires made a noticeable improvement in highway manners. The AT3 are working well in dirt and muddy roads too.

 

[Benbean66]

I wanted to post an update concerning steering. I swapped out the MT tires on my Mojave for some Cooper AT3 since I drive between Colorado and Texas several times a year. Although I dont have the horrid steering issues some have the AT tires made a noticeable improvement in highway manners. The AT3 are working well in dirt and muddy roads too.

I was of similar thinking that my Nitto RG's were causing some of my wandering issues.

 

[trloh]

I have previously added to this thread about adjusting my aluminum steering box and making a noticeable improvement on my 2020 Mojave. I have the Wildpeak M/T tires.

I recently installed the slightly longer Mopar front lower control arms to increase caster angle and this has made a vast improvement on the driving experience.

There in no longer constant input needed to keep the vehicle running true on curvy back roads or long stretches at 60 MPH. I have not yet made any trip at 70 plus but so far indications are positive.

Eventually I will torque all suspension fasteners to verify I have nothing loose.

Adjusting the steering box made the corrections more effective and adding the longer control arms reduced the need for the corrections.

 

[WhatExit?]

Dealer's mechanic talked to me today about some issues he's seen with the replacement Steering Boxes. I had mine done and it did improve the steering. Here's the story...


Yesterday I had Safelite replace my broken windshield (stone chip) with Mopar factory glass. And that's when the "fun" started.

The recalibration of my 2020 Jeep Gladiator was NOT successful. Well, they thought it was but I got a Check Engine light after I started it up. So they used 3-4 of their tablets to recalibrate my Gladiator with Adaptive Cruise Control. They finally got it to clear and on my drive home my IP lit up as it showed a Traction Control light and warning.

Back I went to Safelite this morning. They tried to recalibrate it and said they couldn't do it because my truck is lifted (3.5" Metal Cloak Gamechanger suspension lift and 37" tires). I told them to re-set it to factory settings because it worked fine when I brought it in. And they said, no can do Shamu. They said their updated software/tablets can't do it and I need to go to the dealer.

So off I went to the dealership. No can do. They cleared the codes and they were thrown again - a number of them including Traction Control, Radio and others per their mechanic. Told me he's not seen codes like this and I need to go back to Safelite to get them to clear the codes.

I'm stuck in No Man's Land. While I think Safelite has an issue they need to fix and I'm holding them responsible, I am glad I didn't go to the local windshield place as I don't have confidence they know as much as Safelite as they deal with this stuff many times every day on lots of vehicles.

I've told Safelite about this problem and that I need them to address it. But I am going back to the dealership on Tuesday for a different issue. The mechanic said he wants to look closely at my Jeep's new, replacement Steering Box because he's seen some issues with replacement Steering Boxes and he wants to make sure that's not an issue. When it's in there he'll spend more time with the codes and see if he can clear them but he's not confident (plus they told me they have this issue with all their other FCA/Stellantis vehicles with ACC, etc. and they said they don't have the machine/software - not clear what they don't have - to address this issue).

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