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

[Membrain]

I have my 2020 JTR for 2 weeks now, my son has his 2020 JT Sport for a month.
We both have the revision AE steering box, I checked.
We both checked and set tire pressures to 37 psi, and then went for a test drive.
His JT Sport drives very nice, no issues at all.
My JTR struggles to maintain lane alignment.
My JTR issue is more of the steering appearing to be too tight in that once you turn the wheel to make a lane adjustment the steering does not appear to be auto-centering... at 70 mph this makes it seem like you are having to overcorrect after an adjustment is made.

My son did also notice the difference and said "WTF?"

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[Drvn]

Walked in to Greenway yesterday talked to the service manager, he said you've been waiting for this, walked to the parts counter ordered the parts, said everything will be here Monday, they are doing the 14 day order spread,

Drop it Monday afternoon and we'll see, glad FCA manned up to fix this problem,

Keep us all updated on how it drives after install!

 

[Drvn]

I have been in to have this looked at four times since I bought it, two with @JeepCares cases, and got completely stonewalled with a list of modifications causing the problem (track bar brace, track bar, steering stabilizer, lift, tires) on my last trip. One email with this TSB and parts are ordered - no questions asked. For all the pushback I got up until now, props to the Service Manager for making this part easy.

I am in a similar position as you with numerous mods most of which are aftermarket attempts to correct the steering problems. Please keep us updated as to how your install goes!

 

[one2doo]

Called service manager Friday parts ordered.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have my 2020 JTR for 2 weeks now, my son has his 2020 JT Sport for a month.
We both have the revision AE steering box, I checked.
We both checked and set tire pressures to 37 psi, and then went for a test drive.
His JT Sport drives very nice, no issues at all.
My JTR struggles to maintain lane alignment.
My JTR issue is more of the steering appearing to be too tight in that once you turn the wheel to make a lane adjustment the steering does not appear to be auto-centering... at 70 mph this makes it seem like you are having to overcorrect after an adjustment is made.

My son did also notice the difference and said "WTF?"

"Centering" is a function of the SAI (steering axis inclination - non-changable, period) and CASTER (can be changed with different control arms on a Jeep but the side to side difference cannot be changed)
If the steering sector over-center preload is too tight, you will feel it while trying to turn. The center position will feel stiff or tight.
If it won't center after a turn, they need to check the caster. IF it's wrong, they'll have to change parts out.
If the steering sector is set wrong -if the dealer follows protocol, they'll change the sector.

 

[Onebigyoshi]

I have my 2020 JTR for 2 weeks now, my son has his 2020 JT Sport for a month.
We both have the revision AE steering box, I checked.
We both checked and set tire pressures to 37 psi, and then went for a test drive.
His JT Sport drives very nice, no issues at all.
My JTR struggles to maintain lane alignment.
My JTR issue is more of the steering appearing to be too tight in that once you turn the wheel to make a lane adjustment the steering does not appear to be auto-centering... at 70 mph this makes it seem like you are having to overcorrect after an adjustment is made.

My son did also notice the difference and said "WTF?"

If you don't plan on adding a lift kit with adjustable control arms anytime soon, a budget friendly option is to install Mopar LCAs. One possibility for the driving difference between your JTR and son's Sport is the fact that they both use the same LCAs even though your JTR has more lift than the Sport. So your Caster is pretty low. Mopar LCAs are quarter inch longer than stock. After I did the install my JTR tracked much straighter and my steering wheel got snappier when returning back to the center. Also, check your Toe as well, mine was way off from the factory

 

[TrainMan]

My steering wheel almost recenters after turning. I have to help it a bit because it stops a few inches short. I less than 1 inch of play in the steering wheel. But when its over 90 degrees outside it feels worse.

 

[mghoodlum]

A local dealer has ordered my parts and said he would call me next week when they get in to schedule an appointment. I'll keep you guys updated of progress. Mine wandered pretty bad before Fox Steering stabilizer and lift. After each of those it improved significantly. I have had my sector shaft brace on order for about 6 weeks but still waiting. I'm hoping I can just cancel that order afterwards. I hope to understand more about how the steering box has been re-engineered though to understand if the brace would still be beneficial.

 

[GeneLV]

Called service manager Friday parts ordered.

Took mine in Saturday for the rear axle locker problem and steering. Axle is ordered but he said that he is not allowed to order the steering until 21 and 28 Aug.

 

[MMMII]

Took mine in Saturday for the rear axle locker problem and steering. Axle is ordered but he said that he is not allowed to order the steering until 21 and 28 Aug.

What dealership did you go to?

 

[GeneLV]

What dealership did you go to?

Chapman in Las Vegas
Service advisor made it sound like a restriction that Jeep put on ordering the parts.

 

[Bbannongmu]

I guess this came out at the last possible second for me. I was going to install my lift this weekend. I called my dealer to ask about the TSB and if lift/tires was going to be an issue. Of course, you can't actually speak to a service advisor, just the receptionist who only knows how to book an appointment. Had to explain to her it wasn't the physical steering wheel that was loose. She put me on hold and went to ask if the lift kit would be an issue. Came back and said it was better that I hold off installing it. Annoying. So I set an appointment for this coming Tuesday. We'll see how it goes.

I may go ahead and put my stock tires back on this weekend and remove my Tazer. If they update the software, I'm not sure if that would cause any problems with the Tazer programming.

Highly recommend removing a Tazer whenever it goes to the dealer. They plug it in every time to see if any updates needed, etc.

 

[Scruf]

Highly recommend removing a Tazer whenever it goes to the dealer. They plug it in every time to see if any updates needed, etc.

Agree. And honestly it's not hard. So sad to see the truck back on the stock tires though, haha.

 

[LoJac963]

A local dealer has ordered my parts and said he would call me next week when they get in to schedule an appointment. I'll keep you guys updated of progress. Mine wandered pretty bad before Fox Steering stabilizer and lift. After each of those it improved significantly. I have had my sector shaft brace on order for about 6 weeks but still waiting. I'm hoping I can just cancel that order afterwards. I hope to understand more about how the steering box has been re-engineered though to understand if the brace would still be beneficial.

What lift is it? If Mopar did they install? Do you anticipate any issues having the work done with the lift?

 

[Sazabi19]

To anyone who is saying their steering issues aren't bad and that you're going to wait for people who need it more, good on you, but go have the flash done! The flash should just take a little bit of time and doesn't take real resources away from others. Drive on it for a while to see if that fixes your issues or at least makes them better until you determine you want the parts.

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