Your stock Rubicon diesel JT bottoming out? Here’s the fix!!

[ShadowsPapa]

Technically TSBs are confidential internal documents which aren't to be shared with the public.

Not true.
They are freely downloadable from NHTSA once FCA submit them.
There are even other web sources for communications and TSBs and advisories.

Sponsored

 

[Dougstdig]

I went to the dealer with TSB printed out. Left my car, next day they say they can't repro the issue and nothing looks wrong by *visual* inspection. So I asked how one checks dampening and such visually, and they started talking about leaks and whatnot, which I don't believe is the cause of the issue. Now I have to prove to them somehow that this happens. Super annoying.

I told my tech to look at the impact damage to the bottom pad. He said…yep.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What does them being "freely" available on "other web resources" have to do with them being internal documents?

Check the header of those TSBs, if they have disclosures it's not supposed to be a public document. AFAIK NHTSA only provides TSBs for approved recalls and those documents are different from these internal ones being shared on this forum. I'm also sure you are aware but not all TSBs become recalls.

LOL - I guess you don't know me or my background. Good grief. I know what recalls are, TSBs, and other communications. I even have some STAR training materials. I've been doing this for decades.

TSBs do not normally become recalls - it's not that "not all TSBs become recalls" it's that they generally don't. Recalls are different animals.
The ones being shared here are not internal. I've shared many of them myself! Check my history here - I've been among the first to post some of them. Trailer brake controller I even helped investigate. I've posted about the brake caliper bracket bolts, steering gear, brake controller, radio issues and more.

FCA gives the TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS to NHTSA BY LAW, they aren't internal.
NHTSA deals with a lot more than recalls.

I have half a dozen binders of Jeep service bulletins covering years. I know all about it. I'm not a newbie just out of high school.
TSBs are simply documents suggesting to dealers how to diagnose and repair specific issues. There's no secret information at all. In fact, they used to be called "Diagnose and Repair Bulletins", the binders had DRB on them.

THESE 207 manufacturers' communications for the 2020 Gladiator are TSBs - NOT recalls ->

Here's snippets from TSBs - I've looked at a dozen so far, no mention of them being secret, internal or otherwise.

And 30-40 years ago, DRB, then TB, then TSB.

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

Wow, it looks like they ordered different parts for mine... expensive too.

 

[Dougstdig]

LOL - I guess you don't know me or my background. Good grief. I know what recalls are, TSBs, and other communications. I even have some STAR training materials. I've been doing this for decades.

TSBs do not normally become recalls - it's not that "not all TSBs become recalls" it's that they generally don't. Recalls are different animals.
The ones being shared here are not internal. I've shared many of them myself! Check my history here - I've been among the first to post some of them. Trailer brake controller I even helped investigate. I've posted about the brake caliper bracket bolts, steering gear, brake controller, radio issues and more.

FCA gives the TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS to NHTSA BY LAW, they aren't internal.
NHTSA deals with a lot more than recalls.

I have half a dozen binders of Jeep service bulletins covering years. I know all about it. I'm not a newbie just out of high school.
TSBs are simply documents suggesting to dealers how to diagnose and repair specific issues. There's no secret information at all. In fact, they used to be called "Diagnose and Repair Bulletins", the binders had DRB on them.

THESE 207 manufacturers' communications for the 2020 Gladiator are TSBs - NOT recalls ->

Here's snippets from TSBs - I've looked at a dozen so far, no mention of them being secret, internal or otherwise.

And 30-40 years ago, DRB, then TB, then TSB.

…So…. What I’m reading into this is, whoever contacted Star originally probably had a Rubicon. Then, a bunch of other rubicon owners followed up with Star. When Star accumulated the data they notified the powers that be and the TSB for the rubicons was generated.

Now, there a bunch of other models that are experiencing the same issue. Instead of contacting Star they are going to the dealer with a TSB that doesn’t apply to their model. Would you suggest the other model owners start contacting Star to build up a case history and maybe The manufacturer would open up or amend the TSB to include other models?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

…So…. What I’m reading into this is, whoever contacted Star originally probably had a Rubicon. Then, a bunch of other rubicon owners followed up with Star. When Star accumulated the data they notified the powers that be and the TSB for the rubicons was generated.

Now, there a bunch of other models that are experiencing the same issue. Instead of contacting Star they are going to the dealer with a TSB that doesn’t apply to their model. Would you suggest the other model owners start contacting Star to build up a case history and maybe The manufacturer would open up or amend the TSB to include other models?

The dealers contact STAR.
When a dealer can't resolve an issue (ie something is not functioning as designed, there isn't a broken part, and the fix isn't clear), they contact Jeep. STAR is there as the sort of engineering help desk for dealership shops.
**(although JeepCares here apparently can pass things up the chain - but there's no interaction other than "go to a dealer and have that dealer call this number for help with your case")

So if I had a diesel Overland and it was bottoming out on the pavement dips and nasty streets of Des Moines, or the speed bumps in Lowe's lot or on Guthrie Avenue east of East 14th (they'd likely tell me not to go 55 through the residential area first.........) and I took it to a dealer, a smart dealer would look at the TSB if I was stupid enough to associate a TSB that clearly says Rubicon with an Overland and they'd say "this does not apply" and try to resolve the situation, and end up contacting the STAR team.
OR, if I took the TSB to the dealer just as an example, explain that mine had the same issue and that I knew the TSB wouldn't apply to mine - but the situation is similar (which what I would do, being ex-mechanic myself) and I'd work with them.

Owners need to take their non-Rubicon diesel Gladiators to a dealer if they are also experiencing the same "bottoming out" issue - take the TSB, be smart about it and explain they know it it likely a similar fix (but the dealer won't get reimbursed since the Overland isn't in the TSB) and ask them to escalate it up the chain unless they already know of the real fix.

When I went in with my trailer brake controller lighting up the dash issue, I had already put together detailed data from owners here and had the dates narrowed down and had proven it was based on build date and nothing more, nothing else. My local dealer contacted the STAR team and relayed the symptoms, the DTCs and what I knew about it. At that time, the STAR rep said they'd never heard of such a thing, and passed it up the chain. It wasn't but a few weeks later there was notice of a pending resolution, then a TSB and ABS flash.

** in the case of my saggy tonneau cover, I worked with JeepCares. I sent photos of mine, in detail, with a straight edge on it, measured the sag. I sent photos from other owners showing the cover nicely fitted, little to no sag at all (most had pretty much none)
JC told me to visit my dealer, and pass along our communication and have the dealer shop call a number JC gave me. The service writer I used at that time balked and wanted to argue until another one walked by, having heard my comments and said yeah, they have a whole team dedicated to stuff like this.
A couple of hours later, they called me and said STAR told them to replace the cover and it was on order.
It appears they were just starting to see issues - and in fact, there was a TSB put out on tonneau cover fitment a bit later.

 

[Dougstdig]

The dealers contact STAR.
When a dealer can't resolve an issue (ie something is not functioning as designed, there isn't a broken part, and the fix isn't clear), they contact Jeep. STAR is there as the sort of engineering help desk for dealership shops.
**(although JeepCares here apparently can pass things up the chain - but there's no interaction other than "go to a dealer and have that dealer call this number for help with your case")

So if I had a diesel Overland and it was bottoming out on the pavement dips and nasty streets of Des Moines, or the speed bumps in Lowe's lot or on Guthrie Avenue east of East 14th (they'd likely tell me not to go 55 through the residential area first.........) and I took it to a dealer, a smart dealer would look at the TSB if I was stupid enough to associate a TSB that clearly says Rubicon with an Overland and they'd say "this does not apply" and try to resolve the situation, and end up contacting the STAR team.
OR, if I took the TSB to the dealer just as an example, explain that mine had the same issue and that I knew the TSB wouldn't apply to mine - but the situation is similar (which what I would do, being ex-mechanic myself) and I'd work with them.

Owners need to take their non-Rubicon diesel Gladiators to a dealer if they are also experiencing the same "bottoming out" issue - take the TSB, be smart about it and explain they know it it likely a similar fix (but the dealer won't get reimbursed since the Overland isn't in the TSB) and ask them to escalate it up the chain unless they already know of the real fix.

When I went in with my trailer brake controller lighting up the dash issue, I had already put together detailed data from owners here and had the dates narrowed down and had proven it was based on build date and nothing more, nothing else. My local dealer contacted the STAR team and relayed the symptoms, the DTCs and what I knew about it. At that time, the STAR rep said they'd never heard of such a thing, and passed it up the chain. It wasn't but a few weeks later there was notice of a pending resolution, then a TSB and ABS flash.

** in the case of my saggy tonneau cover, I worked with JeepCares. I sent photos of mine, in detail, with a straight edge on it, measured the sag. I sent photos from other owners showing the cover nicely fitted, little to no sag at all (most had pretty much none)
JC told me to visit my dealer, and pass along our communication and have the dealer shop call a number JC gave me. The service writer I used at that time balked and wanted to argue until another one walked by, having heard my comments and said yeah, they have a whole team dedicated to stuff like this.
A couple of hours later, they called me and said STAR told them to replace the cover and it was on order.
It appears they were just starting to see issues - and in fact, there was a TSB put out on tonneau cover fitment a bit later.

Thanks for the clarification. As many folks that are having issues, a moderator should pin or sticky your reply.

…and I totally meant JeepCares. Too much work not enough sleep!
Thanks again.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

…and I totally meant JeepCares. Too much work nor enough sleep!
Thanks again.

Been there, live that! LOL

 

[Almost]

So my dealer just tried to tell me this does not apply to my gladiator and said there was another TSB issued on march 24th a revised one? Anyone have this issue?

 

[Almost]

Here is the revised TSB. They revised the part numbers and my dealer is saying they don’t apply and are non-fox shocks despite it being a diesel rubicon. @JeepCares you have any insight why my vin would not qualify or why the part numbers are incorrect and for a non-rubicon?


 

[Almost]

@AllMoparParts.com

Benny - can you please confirm the part numbers are correct/incorrect for a Rubicon for the revised TSB. My dealer is saying the parts listed are for a sport and are non-fox shocks.

Front Shocks - 68518575AB
Rear Shocks - 6851822AG

Thanks!

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

@AllMoparParts.com

Benny - can you please confirm the part numbers are correct/incorrect for a Rubicon for the revised TSB. My dealer is saying the parts listed are for a sport and are non-fox shocks.

Front Shocks - 68518575AB
Rear Shocks - 6851822AG

Thanks!

We will know shortly, mine is getting this done as we speak.

The parts website says "Performance Suspension" and that it fits pretty much every Gladiator...

https://www.factorychryslerparts.co...on-Front-Left--Right/17096188/68518575AB.html

 

[SargeDiesel]

Here is a proper fix:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/ecodiesel-metal-cloak-dual-rate-3-5”-review.58960/#post-968824

The bump stops for the ecodiesel receive a plastic shim to limit up travel. Due to the extra weight these jeeps spend a huge amount of time sitting on the bump stops.....thus you get an extremely harsh ride and clacking noise. The fix is to put a lift kit on. Hate to say it.

So I never have experienced the "jolt" everyone is taking about.... I had the Mopar lift installed at the dealership before I took delivery..... do you know if my bump stops are the upgraded that come in the TSB or do I even need to worry about it ?

 

[SargeDiesel]

I'm suspecting those front bumper jounce are the same one that came factory installed on MY22. I might just order the front jounce since I'm already on the Mopar lift.

I have a 2022 JTRD... but had the Mopar lift installed at the dealership prior to pick-up. Im I good ? I have never experienced the "jolt" described by others... but I haven't harshly Offroaded either.. but looking at the parts list for the MP-lift I dont see jounces listed.... does the 22 diesel already have the new jounces listed in the TSB , is there anything I need to be concerned about or do I need the TSB jounces to make it complete ? Thanks

 

[@californiajeeping]

Your fine but spend the 100$ on the teraflex falcon bump stops. MUCH better ride.

Any lift to get away from the plastic spacer shim is going to fix the issue. Swapping it out with a sumo spring or teraflex taller soft bump stops is going to make it even better.

Sponsored