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

[JeepTrucker]

YES! Love it. Classic dealer incompetence. Typically not this negative but these guys bungled this from the start and it's been a headache throughout. I just spoke with them on the phone and they admitted the mistake and are ordering the correct part. Mind you, this is after I had to tell them to perform the software update (per the TSB) after they told me the fix was complete and hadn't done it. What a mess-

I actually still question whether or not my dealer did the software update, as it wasn’t in the notes on the invoice when I picked up my Jeep. However, they told me they did it. I posted screenshots in this thread a little while ago from JScan showing my software versions and asked for others to post, so we could compare, but no one ever did

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[AJ-MJ]

I have a process question. When does the service/parts department order the parts required by the TSB? Are the parts ordered when the appointment is originally scheduled so that the parts are on hand when the jeep arrives on the appointment date or after the Jeep is at the dealership for the first appointment therefore the customer has to schedule a second appointment for the work to be performed?

I set up an appointment yesterday to replace my steering box. I called my dealership this morning. I first called the parts department to determine if the parts were on order. They transferred me to a service assistance. After a little bit of discussions she agreed to order the parts prior to my appointment. She then said there were restrictions on ordering, but she would keep me up to date on the parts status and potential of changing my service appointment.

 

[ScarCase]

I went to jeep in mckinney. They also took some to diagnose but they were helpful, and had a loaner. I am still waiting for my spot in line for the parts to arrive. Hopefully itll get ordered froday.

Thanks. Forest Lane called me back today with a loaner so I went ahead and left my JT with them. Sounds like they have the same 'one-every-14-days' limitation on ordering the replacement parts so hopefully they diagnose in a day or so and let me go pick my JT back up until the parts are available. The Cherokee loaner is a wet towel compared to the truck.

 

[CWGrisw0ld]

Had the diagnostic today, I’m in line for the new box sometime in November.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I remember seeing an earlier post about the boots missing threads but it being a non issue. Is that correct? Because this is what my new box looks like:

Do you mean "bolts" missing threads? Those are the correct bolts. The end is shaped as it is to help start them during assembly. That's pretty darned common in automotive and has been for many decades.

Here are a couple of bolts I plated in black zinc for a restoration a guy in Indiana is doing - from about 1970. Note the ends of the bolts..........
(and yes, that's the wrong steering gear they put on your truck! But the bolts are correct!)

 

[JLM007]

Do you mean "bolts" missing threads? Those are the correct bolts. The end is shaped as it is to help start them during assembly. That's pretty darned common in automotive and has been for many decades.

Here are a couple of bolts I plated in black zinc for a restoration a guy in Indiana is doing - from about 1970. Note the ends of the bolts..........
(and yes, that's the wrong steering gear they put on your truck! But the bolts are correct!)

Thanks for the info. Yes, meant “bolts”. The typo came during a fit of rage!

 

[WK2JT]

Had the diagnostic today, I’m in line for the new box sometime in November.

Same here... nothing said about my Mopar lift or aftermarket track bar and steering stabilizer. However, the boxes get attached to your VIN and I’m likely to be relocated by the time it comes in. Dealers can’t transfer the parts, so I might be in for some hurt getting it done.

 

[Plug Run Arms]

Bought my new Mojave a week ago. My wife commented that it seemed like it was taking a lot of effort to keep it going straight, but I just chalked it up to not being used to a much stiffer suspension after 8 years driving an F150 King Ranch. Guess I'll be calling the dealer today.

 

[Bookem.Dano.Bookem]

Today is the day (?), box AND bolts are at the dealer along with the gladiator.

Driving the loaner home this morning, new Cherokee, I realized just how much my brain is auto correcting the gladiator. Wow.

 

[DaveL]

Today is the day (?), box AND bolts are at the dealer along with the gladiator.

Driving the loaner home this morning, new Cherokee, I realized just how much my brain is auto correcting the gladiator. Wow.

It takes a while to un-learn that after the new steering gear is installed.
Our JLU is improved a lot. It still has a small dead spot on centre. However, it wanders a lot less.

I"ve looked at every video I can, and read every post I can. Identified ---told the dealer---that it was a steering gear problem the day we got the Jeep. It was a Jeep thing. Took a year to get the new steering gear installed.

Feeling? The Jeep's steering is now acceptable, but could be better. But it shouldn't be this hard to get a Jeep fixed when the TSB reads so clearly.

 

[Tapped_Out]

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

This "steering wandering" TSB explains a lot. We just bought a 2020 Mojave, it's my wife's vehicle. Before this one, she test drove two others. The first one, she complained that the steering wandered. The second one, she said the steering was "better," but says there was still too much excess play. This third one, that we purchased, she's really complaining about it wandering and being hard to control. It all makes perfect sense now.

 

[JeepCares]

YES! Love it. Classic dealer incompetence. Typically not this negative but these guys bungled this from the start and it's been a headache throughout. I just spoke with them on the phone and they admitted the mistake and are ordering the correct part. Mind you, this is after I had to tell them to perform the software update (per the TSB) after they told me the fix was complete and hadn't done it. What a mess-

We are sorry to hear that the incorrect part was installed on your Jeep Gladiator. Please send us a message so that we can have a case escalated to a Jeep Wave Specialist for assistance while at the dealer.

Darlene
Jeep Cares

 

[FR33DOM]

I'm working with Faricy as well, no issues so far but I figure I will be waiting a while for my parts to come in...I think they said they expect them near the end of October. Would love an update once you get yours back, hoping they will do a good job and not pull any shenanigans like other dealerships people have described in this thread.

So to give a quick update:

I'm on 37" tires, teraflex spacer kit and my front axle is trussed and gusseted. I got them to verify the problem during last oil change and ordered the kit then. Took until this week before the parts were in and they could get the truck in for the TSB.

Got it back yesterday after being in the shop 3 days. Would have been done same day but they ordered a wrong part (on a dash part that cracked/another unrelated warranty repair) then the warehouse sent it ups ground instead of overnight <SMH>. I told them I'd take the truck back to fix that next oil change...

At any rate, yes, the steering does feel improved. That slushy dead spot in the middle is nearly completely gone. Feedback from steering wheel to movement of the vehicle is much more instant and responsive. Not as responsive as my IFS Hyunda Veracruz but better than before!

That said, and I may just be super paranoid here, I'm not 100% convinced the "wander" is completely gone. I found myself having to correct quite a bit to keep it going straight on a 10 minute drive last night. It is much more responsive but still may have some wander to it. I'll have more info when I drive more... May need to toe in a bit more too. Admittedly the 37" tires and spacer lift on the stock stabilizer could be factors there...

Planning on installing a Teraflex 2.2 Stabilizer this weekend so maybe that will help the tracking a bit as well. Then in 2 weeks the Clayton lift will go on so I'll have to deal with it via alignment from there

Overall tho, it is an improvement. I like having the steel parts. And I think the steering input was lessened some so it seems this box has a little more "pushing strength" to handle the larger tires which is a plus.

 

[Geekjeep]

my wander is not gone, and i have the notchiness. Biggest difference is my jeep tends to track straight. I still wander but its not as extreme as before. Its still a big improvement, especially on highway

 

[PhantomChameleon]

So to give a quick update:

I'm on 37" tires, teraflex spacer kit and my front axle is trussed and gusseted. I got them to verify the problem during last oil change and ordered the kit then. Took until this week before the parts were in and they could get the truck in for the TSB.

Got it back yesterday after being in the shop 3 days. Would have been done same day but they ordered a wrong part (on a dash part that cracked/another unrelated warranty repair) then the warehouse sent it ups ground instead of overnight <SMH>. I told them I'd take the truck back to fix that next oil change...

At any rate, yes, the steering does feel improved. That slushy dead spot in the middle is nearly completely gone. Feedback from steering wheel to movement of the vehicle is much more instant and responsive. Not as responsive as my IFS Hyunda Veracruz but better than before!

That said, and I may just be super paranoid here, I'm not 100% convinced the "wander" is completely gone. I found myself having to correct quite a bit to keep it going straight on a 10 minute drive last night. It is much more responsive but still may have some wander to it. I'll have more info when I drive more... May need to toe in a bit more too. Admittedly the 37" tires and spacer lift on the stock stabilizer could be factors there...

Planning on installing a Teraflex 2.2 Stabilizer this weekend so maybe that will help the tracking a bit as well. Then in 2 weeks the Clayton lift will go on so I'll have to deal with it via alignment from there

Overall tho, it is an improvement. I like having the steel parts. And I think the steering input was lessened some so it seems this box has a little more "pushing strength" to handle the larger tires which is a plus.

Thanks for the update!

Sounds like Faricy did well over all...no weird misaligned steering wheels or incorrect bolts being used, incorrect steering fluid levels, or anything like that.

Did they say anything about an alignment? It seems like that shouldn't be necessary but I've seen quite a few people here mentioning that they needed one for whatever reason.

I've been pretty happy with them so far, they seem to be fairly competent as far as dealerships go.

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