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

[93civej1]

I noticed when I am stopped and turn left slowly, there is a position where it jumps and you feel the steering wheel jolt slightly. I think this is the same area that causes a sensation of a left pull when driving. Almost like the wheel should straighten out after lane change but doesn’t and feels like its pulling left. I am going to bring it back in to the dealer and show the service manager. In general, its better than the last steering box as the right pull was pretty hard but its not yet correct.

fluid levels ok and air bled completely from system?

Also, does anyone know all of the torque specs for the bolts of this gear change? I know everyone mentions checking the torque, but I never see the torque specs for any of the bolts / nut.

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[MoparMadness]

fluid levels ok and air bled completely from system?

Also, does anyone know all of the torque specs for the bolts of this gear change? I know everyone mentions checking the torque, but I never see the torque specs for any of the bolts / nut.

Fluid is full and everything is tight. I don’t know if there is air in the system but there is no sign of that. It happens exactly in the same spot every time and feels mechanical but we will see.

 

[RemodelMonster]

Made an appt with the dealer in Ontario, CA last Monday. Supposed to be at 8 am a week later for the Steering TSB and an oil change. Service writer on the phone said they would have the parts ready by then and that I could wait for it. Just called and got the guy who would be signing me in and he said that the TSB is not like a recall and that they would have to keep the JT for at least a week to diagnose it. Only if they decided that there was a problem with the steering, would they order parts for the TSB.

I followed this thread in the early days before there was 189 pages and I thought that when I finally had some time, I could just get this taken care of. Now it looks like it's going to be the same old BS about how it's within normal range - just a jeep thing! Seems like the wording of the TSB suggests that as long as their diagnostics don't pick up anything else wrong, that if the customer complains about steering wander - they should just replace the steering gear.

Is this about the same experience that everyone has been having? Can anyone offer a referral to more TSB friendly dealership?

 

[MoparMadness]

Made an appt with the dealer in Ontario, CA last Monday. Supposed to be at 8 am a week later for the Steering TSB and an oil change. Service writer on the phone said they would have the parts ready by then and that I could wait for it. Just called and got the guy who would be signing me in and he said that the TSB is not like a recall and that they would have to keep the JT for at least a week to diagnose it. Only if they decided that there was a problem with the steering, would they order parts for the TSB.

I followed this thread in the early days before there was 189 pages and I thought that when I finally had some time, I could just get this taken care of. Now it looks like it's going to be the same old BS about how it's within normal range - just a jeep thing! Seems like the wording of the TSB suggests that as long as their diagnostics don't pick up anything else wrong, that if the customer complains about steering wander - they should just replace the steering gear.

Is this about the same experience that everyone has been having? Can anyone offer a referral to more TSB friendly dealership?

Talk to the manager and let them know you expect it done without any bs or wasting time. The service writer initially tried to tell me they couldn’t work on it because it was lifted. I got the manager to take over and order the parts. If the manager poses issues, call Jeep customer service.

 

[RemodelMonster]

Thanks for that! I had specifically asked the writer on the phone to set me up with a pleasant agent. This guy sounded about as obnoxious as they get.

 

[93civej1]

so my "jeep cares" specialist was no help. Wanted to tell me what i already know. The dealer has said it must be tires or lift. i said the tsb states that any lift that can be aligned to spec is no issue. They say my alignment is spot on. Besides, i have rubicon factory mopar parts for my lift with a tiny spacer. The dealer says the gearbox is fine. So bad gears dont exist?

She then states that the TSB is for wandering, not pulling. Again, i said BS it states plainly wandering or pull.

I even said to her that this has nothing to do with whats on it, this only started after the TSB gear install. I said others have had the same issue and had to have the install done a couple times.

SOL. sorry, you can go to another dealer for another opinion.

BS.

 

[MoparMadness]

so my "jeep cares" specialist was no help. Wanted to tell me what i already know. The dealer has said it must be tires or lift. i said the tsb states that any lift that can be aligned to spec is no issue. They say my alignment is spot on. Besides, i have rubicon factory mopar parts for my lift with a tiny spacer. The dealer says the gearbox is fine. So bad gears dont exist?

She then states that the TSB is for wandering, not pulling. Again, i said BS it states plainly wandering or pull.

I even said to her that this has nothing to do with whats on it, this only started after the TSB gear install. I said others have had the same issue and had to have the install done a couple times.

SOL. sorry, you can go to another dealer for another opinion.

BS.

BS for sure. I would try another dealer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Since one of the off-road pages shows your steering angle in degrees, I'd guess there must be a steering angle sensor. (That page shows up when I select off-road plus on my 8.4)

That gauge is a joke. I can turn far more than 2 degrees before it even says I've turned. I can be taking a curve on the highway and it says I'm going straight and yet my steering wheel is NOT horizontal. It's not accurate at all. I even did a test with it sitting in my garage and got to about 4 degrees before it said 2 instead of 0. I could not believe how INaccurate it was after I did that test in my garage actually measuring compared to what the gauge said. I'd be going straight and it would still show 2 degrees and only show 0 after I turned the other way and back again.

 

[93civej1]

BS for sure. I would try another dealer.

thats the JeepCares specialist suggestion after agreeing with the current dealer's conclusion.
I am supposed to go to the current dealer tomorrow (scheduled pre-JeepCares) to have their "Best Tech" look at it, and determine what he thinks. The service guy said "if he says its tires, its tires".
I know its not any of that as all was fine pre TSB.

I plan to maybe still go but print off a bunch of stuff to take with me.

 

[93civej1]

I noticed when I am stopped and turn left slowly, there is a position where it jumps and you feel the steering wheel jolt slightly. I think this is the same area that causes a sensation of a left pull when driving. Almost like the wheel should straighten out after lane change but doesn’t and feels like its pulling left. I am going to bring it back in to the dealer and show the service manager. In general, its better than the last steering box as the right pull was pretty hard but its not yet correct.

Mine does this too I noticed randomly the other day while sitting waiting to pull out onto a main road.

 

[93civej1]

Going tomorrow. Cant wait to hear the excuses from the dealer. its normal, cant duplicate, etc.. will see.

What did your dealer end up saying?

 

[93civej1]

Ok, so I came in and talked to their "good tech". He is gonna go over it himself. He agreed with me, that it shouldnt pull if it didnt before I brought it in. He said if it still pulls after he does all he does, he will get it back in here and do the TSB with a new one himself. Wish me luck on his workings today or the 2nd one being my golden ticket!!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ok, so I came in and talked to their "good tech". He is gonna go over it himself. He agreed with me, that it shouldnt pull if it didnt before I brought it in. He said if it still pulls after he does all he does, he will get it back in here and do the TSB with a new one himself. Wish me luck on his workings today or the 2nd one being my golden ticket!!

That's my kind of tech.
Any time there's a problem that wasn't there - doesn't matter if it's a truck, car, lawn mower, computer, TV, whatever, you ask "what changed". You use your experience and training and ask yourself - what COULD cause this symptom compared to what changed since it worked ok before.
It's logic + experience + the desire to see a good outcome.
Some people simply lack troubleshooting skills and it's a shame when those people end up in a shop.
Didn't matter if it was when I was working in a shop, or working IT later - "what changed".
If nothing changed that you are AWARE of - then dig into what could cause it and what are the mostly likely of those.

 

[jmdusza01]

A new TSB has been issued for improved steering feel in the JT Gladiator. Please see attached.

TSB: tsb-08-074-20-pdf.356442.pdf

Is there an update for 2021 models yet?

 

[93civej1]

That's my kind of tech.
Any time there's a problem that wasn't there - doesn't matter if it's a truck, car, lawn mower, computer, TV, whatever, you ask "what changed". You use your experience and training and ask yourself - what COULD cause this symptom compared to what changed since it worked ok before.
It's logic + experience + the desire to see a good outcome.
Some people simply lack troubleshooting skills and it's a shame when those people end up in a shop.
Didn't matter if it was when I was working in a shop, or working IT later - "what changed".
If nothing changed that you are AWARE of - then dig into what could cause it and what are the mostly likely of those.

Yeah he drove it and told me, yeah, it pulls like hell. Dont matter where your driving. I was like yeah believe me, i know, ive tried different lanes, road conditions etc.

He has up on the rack now to inspect some more. Ill keep yall updated. Im glad I actually got to talk to this tech in person.

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