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

[Trollboogie]

Mine does. I haven't had it a month yet.

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[Mouse]

Yes - 21's have the steel box

 

[93civej1]

I am sitting here waiting to get my oil changed and tires rotated with my first jeep wave thing. I went ahead and mentioned the TSB while I was at it. I am not sure what will come of it. They just asked if it had wondering. I am hoping they will just schedule me to get it done, though i honestly dont have too too much issue with my aluminum one. (August 20 build). It did wander a bunch on the factory tires when I purchased and on the test drive, but i either got used to it really fast or its not very bad at all.
I want it done, because who wouldnt, but at the same time, I dont want it to get any worse.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I am sitting here waiting to get my oil changed and tires rotated with my first jeep wave thing. I went ahead and mentioned the TSB while I was at it. I am not sure what will come of it. They just asked if it had wondering. I am hoping they will just schedule me to get it done, though i honestly dont have too too much issue with my aluminum one. (August 20 build). It did wander a bunch on the factory tires when I purchased and on the test drive, but i either got used to it really fast or its not very bad at all.
I want it done, because who wouldnt, but at the same time, I dont want it to get any worse.

I found after a while you get used to it - that's sort of what happened with me on the second one.

I look at it this way, too, sometimes - any issue, large or small, seldom if ever gets better, most get worse over time.

 

[93civej1]

I found after a while you get used to it - that's sort of what happened with me on the second one.

I look at it this way, too, sometimes - any issue, large or small, seldom if ever gets better, most get worse over time.

That is true. Ive never really considered mine an issue, more of a nag knowing there is a "better" upgraded part that I do not have and can get while under warranty.

 

[seven30]

The 2021 are all supposed to have the newer steel box but some still have issues.
My question is whether its confined to MT type tires or does it extend to AT type tires?

I noticed switching to AT tires gives better steering at the expense of some offroad capability.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

MT are specialized tires not intended to give the best steering feel. You must really play in the mud if A/Ts aren't cutting it for you.

The first new steering gear they put in mine was some better off the bat but then got worse - on HT tires AND AT tires. Assuming I got the same gear that was being used in the 2021s, then I'd say there's still a possibility someone with a 21 could have issues.

 

[93civej1]

Well, it looks like they have ordered me a new steering box setup. They are supposed to call me to schedule when it gets in.

 

[Toyfrog]

Ok, so I ordered my 2021 Mojave in mid January if this year and picked it up mid February. I noticed it wandered a bit with the AT’s on it. Checked and it have about 46psi in the tires. I lowered it to about 35 and the wandering got a lot better. Fast forward 2 months. Had some 315/70/17 BFG KO2 and method 703 put on. Ordered load range C on the tires. The wandering seemed to get worse. I just figured it was because the bigger tires and solid front end ( my first Jeep). Then this evening I noticed that the driver rear is actually a load range E and the other 3 are C’s. Could this be enough to cause the wandering? Hopefully getting it changed tomorrow after work. Thanks for the help. ??

 

[seven30]

Ok, so I ordered my 2021 Mojave in mid January if this year and picked it up mid February. I noticed it wandered a bit with the AT’s on it. Checked and it have about 46psi in the tires. I lowered it to about 35 and the wandering got a lot better. Fast forward 2 months. Had some 315/70/17 BFG KO2 and method 703 put on. Ordered load range C on the tires. The wandering seemed to get worse. I just figured it was because the bigger tires and solid front end ( my first Jeep). Then this evening I noticed that the driver rear is actually a load range E and the other 3 are C’s. Could this be enough to cause the wandering? Hopefully getting it changed tomorrow after work. Thanks for the help. ??

There is a ton of speculation about this since FCA is not explaining what the deal with steering box is. I can tell you wandering is not due to a solid axle. That is a myth as anyone who has driven the solid axle GC or pre-99 Jeeps can attest to. My 2021 drives well with AT tires but our F150 drives better.
I speculate FCA made a special steering box for these high CG Jeeps to deal with inexperienced drivers potentially rolling the vehicle. The old pre 99 Cherokees steer tight fast and light. But starting in 99 they changed the steering box to something that feels like a 1948 international truck. I'm guessing FCA is between a rock and a hard place with this steering issue.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There is a ton of speculation about this since FCA is not explaining what the deal with steering box is. I can tell you wandering is not due to a solid axle. That is a myth as anyone who has driven the solid axle GC or pre-99 Jeeps can attest to. My 2021 drives well with AT tires but our F150 drives better.
I speculate FCA made a special steering box for these high CG Jeeps to deal with inexperienced drivers potentially rolling the vehicle. The old pre 99 Cherokees steer tight fast and light. But starting in 99 they changed the steering box to something that feels like a 1948 international truck. I'm guessing FCA is between a rock and a hard place with this steering issue.

Naw, my 04 WJ did fine. As did every other Grand Cherokee and the early Cherokee we had. No issues, great steering. We've had more Grand Cherokees than I can count. I always PREFERRED the solid axle version before they went IFS and rack and pinion. I'm not a fan of lack of road feel. That's why I hated the power steering of MOPARS in the 60s and 70s. TOO easy, no road feel, could steer and turn a corner with a pinky. I hated it.
I would have driven any of our ZJs or WJs anywhere without hesitation and felt they all handled beautifully.

 

[saltlife4shore]

So my 21 has the new box. It still wonders. Going around a turn, holding tight, holding tight, then all of a sudden gets lose and have to over correct. It's like someone is holding onto the drag link while turning, and then they let go and then the steering wheel just wonders 3". Also this tracking stuff needs to be fixed. I'm am getting super fed up with having to counter steer just so my Jeep doesn't send me off to the right into a telephone pole, or tree.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Then take it in.......... mine had the new steering gear (because they did the TSB fall of 2020 on my November 2019 built truck)
I went in with the latest revision of the TSB stating clearly that it MUST be aligned and that if ANY step of the TSB was skipped or missed there could be problems.
I told them it got progressively worse over the winter, but since there was no alignment check done originally (because the first revisions of the TSB did not specify alignment check) I asked that they check alignment and try to find why it wandered.
It was but a couple of hours later they called me and said they needed to replace the steering gear and asked if they could keep the truck over-night.
Uh, YES.
FIXED. Pike's Peak was a breeze - no pulling, no wandering, it responded to my every command promptly.
There was no fatigue from driving it like there was going to and from Indiana last year. This much longer drive was no problem, even in the mountain roads of CO.

Assuming you have stock wheels with stock backset and offset, etc. - there is NO REASON AT ALL for these trucks to not handle like any other truck in its class.

 

[93civej1]

Dealership called this morning from my oil change on Friday, my parts are in. They got me scheduled. I go in Friday morning to have it swapped out.

Crossing my fingers mine doesnt get worse. I already think mine is pretty dang decent with my stock aluminum box.

 

[seven30]

So my 21 has the new box. It still wonders. Going around a turn, holding tight, holding tight, then all of a sudden gets lose and have to over correct. It's like someone is holding onto the drag link while turning, and then they let go and then the steering wheel just wonders 3". Also this tracking stuff needs to be fixed. I'm am getting super fed up with having to counter steer just so my Jeep doesn't send me off to the right into a telephone pole, or tree.

What are your tires? Any mods?

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