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

[tampahoosier]

Then things have changed - it used to be that - this is the fix - and if the dealer didn't, then the customer could take it up a notch to the regional rep. Been there.
If the issue is defined or found in a TSB, then it's an issue that requires a fix.

And that is the stopper. Every person thinks the TSB is the fix for their issue and they demand it. Turns out it's not always the issue, and it's actually something else. Or they don't have the issue at all and just want the fix just in case.

IF what you were saying was the way all dealers always did business then they would be doing every TSB on all the Jeeps all the time and Jeep would get a boat load of charge backs they have to somehow afford... mostly paying for fixes that weren't needed to begin with.

I understand your frustration, it's just mis-guided. Dealers have an obligation to do their due diligence to validate the claims.

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[W8lifts]

I just dropped off mine to the dealership this morning, took about a week and a half to get the parts. I just asked my dealership to look at the TSB and to please perform it, they were very curious about It and excited to give it a try, I’m the first one they are doing.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And that is the stopper. Every person thinks the TSB is the fix for their issue and they demand it. Turns out it's not always the issue, and it's actually something else. Or they don't have the issue at all and just want the fix just in case.

IF what you were saying was the way all dealers always did business then they would be doing every TSB on all the Jeeps all the time and Jeep would get a boat load of charge backs they have to somehow afford... mostly paying for fixes that weren't needed to begin with.

I understand your frustration, it's just mis-guided. Dealers have an obligation to do their due diligence to validate the claims.

Me?
Frustrated?
I'm not the one with the issues at hand - unless my wife is correct and I need to chat more with her about her comments........
I''m a former tech talking about those forum members I have talked with and tried to help diagnose. More than one could move the steering wheel a good inch, in one case, about 2" before the truck responded yet the dealer says "it's a Jeep thing". Really? Then why don't they ALL do it??
Wander - oh, dealer says "it's a Jeep thing, they are straight axles and they all do that" - that's bs, too - otherwise my poll would not show dozens of responses where Jeep owners with other non-IFS Jeeps wouldn't be complaining about their JT saying their other Jeeps don't do this - and yet their dealer says "it's a Jeep thing".
They DO have this issue and if dealers keep pulling this buck passing BS and blame it on tires, lifts, steering stabilizers and other fun stuff, then they need to find a new dealership that will pay attention to the complaint and fix it according to directions. Too many shops are simply saying it doesn't exist - they are not professionals, they are jokes, and one reason I left the field and went into business for myself. Dealerships that don't want to get involved with things that aren't straight-forward or defined in a computer printout about a MIL code (Malfunction Indicator Light as Jeep calls it in their Technical Service Manuals of a few years back)

This is the fix for loose steering - where the wheel can be moved an inch or more before it responds, or the vehicle wanders - as outlined in the TSB.
It doesn't say "check this first or make sure these other parts are fine" - althiough any dealer should do obvious things first of course. If there's a rattle at the back end of the Chevy 305 in a 1990 Camaro, don't automatically replace the flex plate if the TSB says "check for loose bolts and replace with bolt part number xxxyyyzzz and loctite if found"

The problem with THIS issue is that dealer shops are denying one even EXISTS.

I've worked as a tech for around 45 years, and have a great collection of TSB binders - involving earlier Jeeps up to the mid 1980s or so, and have done warranty work myself.

Yes, dealers DO need to make sure that things look fine under there - check the TORQUE on the track bar, check for DAMAGE, check alignment (but they can't actually change anything other than toe) and check for other loose or damaged parts - but barring finding any loose or damaged parts, they are instructed to fix the customer complaint via the TSB. They can't simply say "it's a Jeep thing".
You also see here where someone has said one dealer brushed it off and the next fixed it - so there ya go. Some are simply lazy.
Reminds me of the ones who said my bed cover was FINE, they are ALL that way.
Really?
I have a new bed cover covered under warranty......... 2 dealers brushed it off as normal.
LAZY BUTTS, or uninformed. Too bad service managers today are not trained techicnal people.
It used to be that to be a service manager you had to work the shop for a few years first. Not these days.

 

[techteacher]

New box is in. Dropped at 8 and ready at 1030.

Simply put, it was the fix. Zipped my track bar and stabilizer back in last night and the drive in this morning was even better after spending yesterday on OEM with the new box. The front feels grounded and responsive on the drive in to work. Debating on putting the Synergy brace back on - will give it a couple of days to feel it out.

 

[Abomination]

I have about 5500 miles on my Gladiator and the steering wander has been annoying. I dropped it off at the dealer yesterday and they confirmed the problem. They kept it overnight and had it finished at 10:30 AM today. It was a short drive home but I could tell the difference. My annoying Garmin lane monitor did not go off at all.

 

[Wbrook24]

I took mine up yesterday to confirm the steering box fix and get my speedometer calibrated. Im on the list for steering box but just a heads up if your in an area where a lot of people are getting this done the dealership said there getting one box every 10 to 15 days. Looks like demand is high. My service tech is a good guy and said he would do what he could to get one sooner as I am 5th on the list.

 

[Sandia]

Posted yesterday I was taking mine in this morning to have the steering box replaced. Arrived at the dealership at 8:35, at 5 minutes to 10 they brought the jeep back to the front with paperwork completed. Advised if there is any other issues please call them.
Took off for home with a detour to Corpus Christi to pick up some parts, total mileage to home was probably 70 miles. Totally surprised how the vehicle drove. The wandering issue was completely gone and you could drive the vehicle with one hand
(for the 1st time) and was actually relaxing to drive.
Take away: My Jeep is a stock Gladiator model. Cured the wandering issue, steering is a little tighter now, meaning to turn steering wheel. You can definitely tell the difference, but by the time I got home had totally gotten used to it. The Gladiator has a pretty soft suspension and the body roll is definitely noticed, especially if you had a bump on one side or the other in a curve, it has a tendency to mess with the steering a bit. Cure would probably be a stronger sway bar and links and upgrade shocks like Bilstein. Glad I never spent the money on the after market fixes, you will like the new steering box.

 

[MrZappo]

Success !

Just returned from the dealer ... The service writer "explained to me" that they cant just be ordering parts !!! They must verify a problem exists per Chrysler protocols ...

They grabbed one of the mechanics (interrupted his lunch) and told him to go for a test drive with me ... He did not look happy ...

We went down the street (with me driving) ... He looked at me and said "Yep" looks like a problem ...
Parts on order ...

I visited the dealer for the diagnosis on 8/25. They just confirmed that my parts will be in on 8/31. So, 1 week from the time I visited the dealer.

It is odd that times are slower for some ... I can confirm that I am the first person at my dealer to mention this issue. They had never heard of it ... It is possible that other dealers who have a lot of affected clients are "rationed" or something like that ...

In any event, my dealer is in far southern Michigan. I hope to have mine repaired next week at this rate ... I hope others can get theirs as fast ...

 

[Dakeys]

I took mine up yesterday to confirm the steering box fix and get my speedometer calibrated. Im on the list for steering box but just a heads up if your in an area where a lot of people are getting this done the dealership said there getting one box every 10 to 15 days. Looks like demand is high. My service tech is a good guy and said he would do what he could to get one sooner as I am 5th on the list.

Looks like you're in the same area as me, did you take yours over to Palmer in Roswell? I called them this morning, and the service rep told me October 7th was when they'd be able to order for me. So I drove over to Mall of GA and they said they can order the steering gearbox in about a week. Was a pretty simple process, just handed him the TSB notice, gave him my VIN, he wrote a service ticket, and handed it to the parts guy. Then I was out the door.

So as a follow on to my earlier post to the other metro ATL members, Mall of GA doesn't have much of a line currently. The service rep I dealt with today said they've done a few of them so far (mostly Wranglers), but said the difference is night and day as others are reporting here.

 

[Tire Guy]

Landmark Jeep in Morrow GA, south of ATL, said only about a week to get the parts as of last Friday. They were not generally aware of the TSB until I brought my copy in.

 

[Onebigyoshi]

I just came back from Palmer in Roswell with the new steering box. Definitely noticeable difference in a very positive way. Like others have mentioned, you can definitely feel the steering being more responsive and it's much tighter. Can't say nothing but good about the dealership. I called told them my issue and not even a single question they ordered the parts for me. They also got me an Uber both ways which I was really surprised.

 

[tampahoosier]

Loving all of these positive updates. This is very encouraging. Can’t wait for my parts to come in next week and get the repair done too!

 

[RAMCTFOLEY]

Dealer approved the TSB work parts should be in a few days.

 

[WhippetTaxi]

So has anyone elected to wait on the repair work while their Gladiator was at the dealer, or it too time consuming with the hardware change and any necessary software update? My dealer of choice is about an hour and a half away and it would be nice if they could order the parts ahead of time and do it with an appointment. I know, that's wishful thinking!

 

[Sazabi19]

So I went in to have the flash only done and was originally scheduled for the 28th. I had some death wobble (if anyone saw my other post) and it got moved to the 21st. Dropped my truck off on Friday and had a loaner for the last 4 days (service closes at noon on Sat and in IN we can't sell cars on Sunday so dealers are closed... it's stupid), it was a Renegade Latitude. Nothing great but I was able to do what I needed, not a bad little vehicle.

They called me around 2pm today to let me know it was ready for pickup so I rushed over so I could go to work (I was late, but I called in so they knew). I got there and they tell me they replaced the steering stabilizer (I think he said steering buffer) as well as the steering gear (steering box). He said I now have the new steel one from the TSB as well as the software update. He said since it was part of the TSB and I had death wobble (showed them vid) they wanted to get it replaced anyways.

My steering was never that bad, which is why I wanted to just have the flash and wait on the new hardware. I have to say while my steering wasn't bad, the difference is VERY noticeable. Its much more precise feeling now and it seems to have a little more weight, but very smooth. This is still not car steering nor sporty feeling, but much improved even over someone who didn't have that much going on. I like seeing these reports of people who had problems love to drive their trucks finally!

To anyone in the central Indiana area, Tom O'Brian off US31 in Greenwood was fantastic about this whole thing, I highly suggest going there for the service. They gave me no fuss over anything, were professional and courteous, knew about the TSB already, and performed services as to what you'd expect of a good dealership.

@HWKIGRL I see you're still liking everyone's posts on here, did you get yours replaced yet?

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