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

[seven30]

Well you'll have to let us know if the mechanic finds anything or if he'll even tell you what he's looking for.. for the most part it seems like when people have issues it's because bolts aren't tourqued correctly or something along those lines. I wonder if he's talking about a specific wear and tear afterwards or if other components are jeopardized. I hope he can at least shed some light on what he's talking about instead of just vagueries.

What am I missing here?

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).

Ok, what am I missing here? What does windshield and recalibration have to do with each other??

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[Mr._Bill]

What am I missing here?

Ok, what am I missing here? What does windshield and recalibration have to do with each other??

For those with FCW/ACC, recalibration of the forward sensor array is recommended if the windshield is replaced. This is due to potential changes in the glass in front of the camera and sensors.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

For those with FCW/ACC, recalibration of the forward sensor array is recommended if the windshield is replaced. This is due to potential changes in the glass in front of the camera and sensors.

Obviously not required, some have not had it done and like me, been fine. No calibration done, glass replaced a year ago.
Looks like some vendors won't do the glass without it. Makes sense as then no one can go back on them and say "now ACC won't work!"

 

[JeepCares]

i had my steering box replaced in november about 5.5k miles ago. over the last 2 weeks the steering loosened up significantly and i had to hold at 11 o'clock to track straight. took it in yesterday and it turns out that the replacement box also failed. thankfully they had one on hand in the shop and replaced it, but if you notice the steering getting weird after the tsb, the journey might not be over.

Had my 2021 Rubicon since April 28, pulled left and wandered bad. The dealer took it to an alignment shop today, tweaked it a bit and said it was good. It was better but still does not track as I think it should. I have driven 4x4 since 1971, never had wandering problem like this. I am going to take it to a fellow local that I think understands better than the dealer. Only have 600 miles on it. ?

Hi @db305 and @John D. Upton,

Please feel free to reach out to our team for assistance regarding these concerns. We would like to provide support while your vehicle is in service.

Darlene
Jeep Cares

 

[cecaa850]

For those with FCW/ACC, recalibration of the forward sensor array is recommended if the windshield is replaced. This is due to potential changes in the glass in front of the camera and sensors.

Nope. Not required or listed as part of the windshield replacement procedure.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Nope. Not required or listed as part of the windshield replacement procedure.

Big difference between 'Recommended' and 'Required'.

 

[jimbom]

For those with FCW/ACC, recalibration of the forward sensor array is recommended if the windshield is replaced. This is due to potential changes in the glass in front of the camera and sensors.

I don't have those safety features, but I'm curious how a dirty windshield affects their perfomance? It's a lot of work to keep these Jeep windshields clean. Seems dirt would have a far greater impact than a minor variance in glass distortion ...

 

[Mr._Bill]

I don't have those safety features, but I'm curious how a dirty windshield affects their perfomance? It's a lot of work to keep these Jeep windshields clean. Seems dirt would have a far greater impact than a minor variance in glass distortion ...

I have not had any issues with mine. But I don't get mud or thick coatings of mashed bugs on mine. The camera may be affected, but the radar should be okay.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Drove about 12 hours from home to colo springs. Bugs soooooo bad in iowa i took a spray foam bug cleaner and windex and roll of paper towels. Had to clean off iowa bugs so we could see when we got into NE.
ACC was great whole time. Then in middle Nebraska through KS bugs so big and bad bug foam would not remove them and each splat was literally the size of a nickel to almost quarter size clear goo. Still can't get it all off. But ACC works great! I cant believe what it worked through. It even slowed fast and braked for an idiot in front of us.

As far as steering.....did Pike's Peak today no trouble, steered true, clean, no slop and manual trans mode kept brakes cool. The JT was a true champ up there. No issues with staying between those very narrow lanes. No wander, no play, turned really tight and true. I told my wife I would not wanted anything else up there.

 

[Toyfrog]

Is anyone having any steering issues with a 2021 Mojave? Ordered mine and picked it up in mid February. I was constantly having to put input in the steering wheel to keep it straight. That was with the stock AT. Added 315 and it’s still the same. I feel like I am flying an old Cessna trying to keep it tracking straight? Thanks for the help.

 

[trloh]

Toyfrog-

I tightened up the original steering box on my 2020 Mojave then added the longer Mopar front lower contro arms

The steering box adjustment made my steering inputs more precise during the wandering. Once the control arms were done no more wander and I wound up with nice driving truck.

Arms are cheap and my labor was free much satisfied now.

Make sure to keep an eye on tire pressure as the summer Temps rise as well.

 

[cecaa850]

Big difference between 'Recommended' and 'Required'.

Sure. Why would you recommend something that's not required or needed?

 

[Mr._Bill]

Sure. Why would you recommend something that's not required or needed?

The point is you are trying to provide a blanket answer to cover everyone saying it is not needed because it is not listed as a 'Required' procedure. Many may not need it done, but there are some that might. There is no way to know for sure until the glass is replaced and the function is tested. If no one ever needed it done, it would not be a documented procedure. It is 'Recommended' because there is a possibility it may be necessary. Some glass companies may require it to be done for liability reasons.

 

[seven30]

Is anyone having any steering issues with a 2021 Mojave? Ordered mine and picked it up in mid February. I was constantly having to put input in the steering wheel to keep it straight. That was with the stock AT. Added 315 and it’s still the same. I feel like I am flying an old Cessna trying to keep it tracking straight? Thanks for the help.

I had some vagueness with my 2021 Mojave with the wildpeak MT tires. Since I drive it between central Tx and Co I installed some AT3 same size and it made a huge improvement. I think the MT tires are great for getting you to the nasty stuff but not so hot for long pavement duty.
That said the AT3 so far have been great for dry offroad work and handled muddy southern colorado dirt roads ok. The MT would be need for really nasty stuff.

 

[cecaa850]

The point is you are trying to provide a blanket answer to cover everyone saying it is not needed because it is not listed as a 'Required' procedure. Many may not need it done, but there are some that might. There is no way to know for sure until the glass is replaced and the function is tested. If no one ever needed it done, it would not be a documented procedure. It is 'Recommended' because there is a possibility it may be necessary. Some glass companies may require it to be done for liability reasons.

It's a documented procedure because it must be done when the actual assembly is replaced. If a glass company mandates that it has to be done then they are either ignorant or trying to overcharge you.

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