Issues right out of the dealership parking lot

[jeepfan30]

Go do it yourself right now it won't void a warranty. The only way that would resolve it is if these driveshafts are phased. Just mark it with chalk rotate it and drive it.

I made that post about rotating the rear driveshaft on JL Wrangler Forum, but updated it yesterday. I pulled the DS completely off and still had the thrumming noise. Waiting for dealer to replace another members transfer case to see if that helps. I think you guys are on the right track looking at the front axle too. It’s super annoying, seems to only be affecting JL Rubicons between 63-65 mph.

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[XJ2JTChris]

New update: made an appointment for friday 10/25. My new list of issues:

1. Highway vibe previously discussed
2. Abrupt and obnoxious downshifting trans previously discussed (possibly normal due to max tow package, but i call b/s on that)
3. NEW: transmission makes a mild whine noise when cold at low parking lot type speeds. I notice it when maneuvering in my driveway when leaving for work, and then again when leaving work parking lot. Possible trans problem, maybe low fluid or somehow this is all linked to the abrupt downshifts?
4. Radio made loud popping sound and rebooted once now.
5. Very faint clunk ONLY when going over certain style speed bumps at low speed coming from back of truck.

Otherwise all is well....totally becoming of a brand new $40K vehicle. Psyched I convinced myself to buy new to avoid having problems. hahahaha FML.

Will update after appointment. (current mileage 1,500)

 

[Onebigyoshi]

New update: made an appointment for friday 10/25. My new list of issues:

1. Highway vibe previously discussed
2. Abrupt and obnoxious downshifting trans previously discussed (possibly normal due to max tow package, but i call b/s on that)
3. NEW: transmission makes a mild whine noise when cold at low parking lot type speeds. I notice it when maneuvering in my driveway when leaving for work, and then again when leaving work parking lot. Possible trans problem, maybe low fluid or somehow this is all linked to the abrupt downshifts?
4. Radio made loud popping sound and rebooted once now.
5. Very faint clunk ONLY when going over certain style speed bumps at low speed coming from back of truck.

Otherwise all is well....totally becoming of a brand new $40K vehicle. Psyched I convinced myself to buy new to avoid having problems. hahahaha FML.

Will update after appointment. (current mileage 1,500)

I'm interested to know what the dealer say about your #3. I'm experiencing similar noise from my JT when maneuvering in my garage and out of a parking. I hear a whine and it gets noticeably louder when I'm turning the wheels.

 

[XJ2JTChris]

I'm interested to know what the dealer say about your #3. I'm experiencing similar noise from my JT when maneuvering in my garage and out of a parking. I hear a whine and it gets noticeably louder when I'm turning the wheels.

That might just be the power steering. I haven't looked into that yet but all newer model jeeps seem to have almost like a squeeking type of whine noise when steering. The noise I'm referring to is actually gear related whine if that makes any sense.

 

[JeepCares]

My JT engine was making a ticking noise at idle. I took it to the dealer and they said it was normal. Went back again and said it sounded like a diesel motor and the dealer said it was the purge valve. So I had to do my own diagnostics. I went to another dealer and test drove another JT and it was very quiet. So I then took it to my trusted mechanic and he pinpointed it to the rocker arm on the right side. So I then went back to the dealer told them to unplug the purge valve put some stethoscopes on the right valve cover. Now the Technician can hear the noise and they are going to replace the rocker arms and cam shaft. By doing my own diagnosis I think I saved myself at least five trips to the dealership.

just got a code yesterday for a stuck rocker arm in the high position ill be taking it in on monday. hopefully this resolves the vibration and the multiple check engine lights i keep getting.

Hi Jim and Jared,
We're sorry to hear about these concerns you are experiencing with your new Gladiators. Please keep us updated on your dealer appointments. If additional assistance is needed, send our team a PM!
Alex
Jeep Cares

 

[Onebigyoshi]

That might just be the power steering. I haven't looked into that yet but all newer model jeeps seem to have almost like a squeeking type of whine noise when steering. The noise I'm referring to is actually gear related whine if that makes any sense.

I think you're exactly right. I searched for this issue on the JL wrangler forums and my noise is definitely coming from the steering and apparently it is normal, at least for the JLs and I guess for the JTs.

 

[Proximo]

Any results from Friday @XJ2JTChris ?

 

[XJ2JTChris]

Any results from Friday @XJ2JTChris ?

No news yet. I worked half a day and dropped it off around 1pm. I prepared myself to not hear a peep at least until Monday. I'll definitely post up when I get their ideas or solutions.

 

[iblowatsports]

So it has been a while since I updated on here, since then Jeep Cares has gotten more involved which left me hopeful until today. My dealer had my truck all of last week, during which they supposedly did the actual front axle replacements which did not resolve the issue. They then (supposedly) tried the driveshaft rotation, which did not work. They also tried taking a rear driveshaft off of another Gladiator, which did not resolve it. They were instructed to do the rolling test to listen for the vibration, which they said they thought might be coming from the transfer case or rear diff now. After that, the field engineer took a look at my truck on Friday, which I have just heard the "results" of from my service manager:

"I did receive the final report and after calling him to confirm this morning, he has advised that this is a characteristic of the four wheel drive system in this vehicle. He has deemed it to be normal condition.

No additional repair attempts for this concern are being authorized."

I am just about to go through the roof at this point. I left a message for my FCA rep (since I still haven't gotten their email yet), but this is a complete joke at this point. I have so little confidence in any of the above actually being done and frankly the field engineer should know where he can shove his "normal condition". The issue occurs at 62 mph, I'd bet my life he drove my truck (if he even did at all) at 75 mph and called it all good. I'm sure if this was their truck and they had to drive it every day they wouldn't think this is an acceptable normal condition anymore.

 

[XJ2JTChris]

Oh well shit. I figured this would happen. My truck is in this week again. I don't know what legal action we can look into at this point? Never in my worst nightmare thought I'd be in this situation. Have you test driven other Gladiators with your specs? I.e. with max tow or without if thats what you have? Thats my only other option. I'll be the first to admit if I hear and feel the vibration in all the other JTs I'm going to drive, but I am fairly certain we are just the minority here and are going to ultimately get the cold shoulder from Jeep and FCA. Ugh.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've had the same vibration issue as you (off and on, but very frequent) between 45-65 mph. I had my dealership look at it when I was getting my bedliner, they diagnosed it as an out of balance rear wheel and "fixed" it. This was despite the fact that I told them it's harmonic and goes away when you go over 70, which most unbalanced wheel issues wont. I have a new appointment scheduled for next week after I asked for a more thorough look into the issue, REALLY hoping it just can be fixed but I'm sure I'll get the "we can't feel anything/it's normal" bs.

But bent wheels the vibration CAN and often DOES go away. I chased a vibration issue on my SX4 for months - had the rear driveshaft professionally rebuilt and balanced by a race shop (I usually do my own but I was busy and frustrated), checked and triple checked the pinion angle, checked every chart I could find. Finally I was rotating wheels and put a dial indicator on the rims - AGAIN, for the third time. This time I ignored "factory specs" and decided any deviation wasn't good. Found a wheel that had some runout - not a lot, some. So I put a machine shim behind the wheel over a couple of the studs and went for a test drive. It was much better.
Finally, to prep for a major national show I had my wheels remachined - they found one that was off when they got it mounted in their CNC lathe.
Got the wheels back - that crazy harmonic vibration was gone. It was worst at 60-65 and had some at 70 but went away at 75-80. When I pegged the speedometer it was fine.
In town, low speeds up to 50 or 55 it was fine, above 55 it shook the dash bad.
It turned out to be a wheel.
I'd had them balanced three times, had them on-the-car balanced last time, didn't help. Alignment, the whole thing........ all this time it was a wheel out of true.

 

[jeepfan30]

Oh well shit. I figured this would happen. My truck is in this week again. I don't know what legal action we can look into at this point? Never in my worst nightmare thought I'd be in this situation. Have you test driven other Gladiators with your specs? I.e. with max tow or without if thats what you have? Thats my only other option. I'll be the first to admit if I hear and feel the vibration in all the other JTs I'm going to drive, but I am fairly certain we are just the minority here and are going to ultimately get the cold shoulder from Jeep and FCA. Ugh.

This is happening with JL’s also, Rubicons specifically. Only between 63-65 mph, no solution yet.

 

[Oscar Indy]

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/lemon-law.html

Lemon law that thing since they can't fix it.

 

[XJ2JTChris]

Got my truck back tonight. Long story short after hearing a very sincere tone from the service dept whome i do not blame at all, absolutely nothing was accomplished. I'm too let down and disappointed to go into detail, especially since apparently the majority aren't even having any issues, so my info is fairly useless. If anyone reads this in the following months or even years, and would like to discuss anything in detail if you experience similar issues, feel free to message me.

 

[Gatorized]

Not knowing what the dealer did or said they did - but so many things they could do that would rule out so many issues. Some you can do yourself just for peace of mind.
-Torque all suspension to spec
-loosen all lug nuts and torque to spec
-put your spare on to replace 1 wheel and test drive
-Repeat moving the spare to all locations to eliminate each wheel as being suspect.
-remove front drive shaft and test drive in 2wd
-remove rear driveshaft and test drive in 4wd- essentially making it fwd.
Probably worth having a trusted mechanic do this for you and document cost as you go along so you can file for reimbursement from FCA when you find the problem.

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