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BrightWhiteGladiator

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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 had 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.
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.
Similar here after a few days - I would say there is still some wander but it is vastly improved. I’m on 35’s with aftermarket (neutral) stabilizer and a drag link with an attenuator. I’m still completely satisfied with the difference versus before though.
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FR33DOM

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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.
Yeah I think they did pretty good. I verified the correct part number on the gear box and everything looked good externally. They did do an alignment because I mentioned I thought I might help us verify the fix solved the issue and so they did it and I got the report. They also accidentally left a pipe wrench and a 15mm in the passenger floor by accident so pretty sure that fixing the crooked steering wheel was their last step-- I went and returned them when I picked up my son from school, lol.
 

ShadowsPapa

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Dealer couldnt find it wandering after an alignment so no covered TSB for me. :(
Show them the part where it says "IF THE CUSTOMER REPORTS................" and then "do the following".
Nowhere does it say "test it to see if you can duplicate the complaint" - that's NOT part of the TSB.
This is an unusual "take their word for it" TSB.
If the customer says it does this, that or the other thing, check for codes, check for software, replace steering gear and update software.
PERIOD.
Ask them where it says they are to verify or duplicate the issue.
You should get a survey - smack them in it - all 0s.
 

Tapped_Out

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Dealer couldnt find it wandering after an alignment so no covered TSB for me. :(
That's a good thing. You never want unnecessary major surgery on your vehicle if it doesn't truly need it.

I made a service appointment today, that wouldn't be a bad outcome if it actually fixes the problem.
 

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ShadowsPapa

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That's a good thing. You never want unnecessary major surgery on your vehicle if it doesn't truly need it.

I made a service appointment today, that wouldn't be a bad outcome if it actually fixes the problem.
In this case he wants it - and a steering gear isn't major surgery. There is an obvious problem with the aluminum original and once he runs out of warranty, if he has troubles with it - it's on him.
If it was just to check to see if he had an old or faulty version of software, or compare VINs to see if he had a certain part that may have problems, and they decide he didn't, that's one thing, but these have a horrible history.
I didn't think mine that bad - my wife did. I listened to her and took it in and got the new steering gear and am glad I did.
I now have the better gear, the software to go with it, and no wandering.
Trouble with many dealers is they are so used to calling anything other than sports car performance "a jeep thing" they are getting away with calling almost anything abnormal "a jeep thing".
Time for the excuses to stop.
It's up to him if he wants to drop it - but I'd suggest he not because if there's even a slight issue, it won't get better and if he decided in 2 years it has a problem, he's screwed.
 

Matt T

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After reading through all 96 pages of posts, I’ve got a new way for the dealership to not perform the TSB. They said they’d do it, they ordered the parts, scheduled my appt., kept my gladiator for 3 days, then told me it would be $480 to do the work because of my aftermarket lift. Now granted I’ve got a 3.5” lift with 38”s and the synergy brace. And I would have been fine with them telling me straight away that they wouldn’t do it because of that. But $480? Unfortunately I’ve had other problems with this dealership, but I thought I’d give them a shot since they’re the closest. My mistake. Just have to try another dealership...
 

ShadowsPapa

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After reading through all 96 pages of posts, I’ve got a new way for the dealership to not perform the TSB. They said they’d do it, they ordered the parts, scheduled my appt., kept my gladiator for 3 days, then told me it would be $480 to do the work because of my aftermarket lift. Now granted I’ve got a 3.5” lift with 38”s and the synergy brace. And I would have been fine with them telling me straight away that they wouldn’t do it because of that. But $480? Unfortunately I’ve had other problems with this dealership, but I thought I’d give them a shot since they’re the closest. My mistake. Just have to try another dealership...
Nothing about the TSB says "if there is a lift, don't do it". It clearly states "if the customer complains, DO THIS......."
There is no out, there is no checking for other parts, there is no measure to see if it's lifted, etc.
Of course if the truck STILL has an issue after the steering gear swap, then of course they can start pointing to other things - like tires, lift, and so on.
But that TSB is extremely clear.
Again - any dealership refusing this service needs to be reported and any survey be completed with all 0s and explanation of their being less than friendly or helpful.

For those who have not already done so, go to page 1 of this massive thread, print the TSM, highlight the key parts, especially the last line of page 1 and take it to the dealer, stand there while they read it.
If they order parts - tell them you want to verify their parts guy orders the CORRECT steering gear.
 

Matt T

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Nothing about the TSB says "if there is a lift, don't do it". It clearly states "if the customer complains, DO THIS......."
There is no out, there is no checking for other parts, there is no measure to see if it's lifted, etc.
Of course if the truck STILL has an issue after the steering gear swap, then of course they can start pointing to other things - like tires, lift, and so on.
But that TSB is extremely clear.
Again - any dealership refusing this service needs to be reported and any survey be completed with all 0s and explanation of their being less than friendly or helpful.

For those who have not already done so, go to page 1 of this massive thread, print the TSM, highlight the key parts, especially the last line of page 1 and take it to the dealer, stand there while they read it.
If they order parts - tell them you want to verify their parts guy orders the CORRECT steering gear.
That’s
Nothing about the TSB says "if there is a lift, don't do it". It clearly states "if the customer complains, DO THIS......."
There is no out, there is no checking for other parts, there is no measure to see if it's lifted, etc.
Of course if the truck STILL has an issue after the steering gear swap, then of course they can start pointing to other things - like tires, lift, and so on.
But that TSB is extremely clear.
Again - any dealership refusing this service needs to be reported and any survey be completed with all 0s and explanation of their being less than friendly or helpful.

For those who have not already done so, go to page 1 of this massive thread, print the TSM, highlight the key parts, especially the last line of page 1 and take it to the dealer, stand there while they read it.
If they order parts - tell them you want to verify their parts guy orders the CORRECT steering gear.
Thats just it, the dealership didn’t refuse to do the TSB, they said they’d do it. But, they said, it’ll take longer than the 1.9 hours specified because of the aftermarket lift and tires. So they thought they should charge for the additional time it took. Of course when I ask for specific details as to why they thought it was $480 worth of extra time, they had no answers. The service manager then told me they didn’t have to do the work at all as “my lift and tires voids all my warranties“
 

Backwoodsraider

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I got my TSB approved the day after this post came out and they just today were able to get the parts and my truck in the shop. Can’t wait to get it back tomorrow! Would have been done today but they ordered the wrong part for a cracked instrument bezel also fixed under warranty. Faricy Boys here in Colorado Springs have been doing a pretty decent job in helping me out with this.
@FR33DOM you use Faricy? Brought mine in on 8/25 and still waiting. thought they were bsing me about the time frame
 

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Thats just it, the dealership didn’t refuse to do the TSB, they said they’d do it. But, they said, it’ll take longer than the 1.9 hours specified because of the aftermarket lift and tires. So they thought they should charge for the additional time it took. Of course when I ask for specific details as to why they thought it was $480 worth of extra time, they had no answers. The service manager then told me they didn’t have to do the work at all as “my lift and tires voids all my warranties“
how will it take 1.9 hours longer because of a lift, larger wheels and tires? That doesn’t make sense. Do they think they need to remove the suspension before removing the steering box? If so.. run lol.
 

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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.

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FR33DOM

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@FR33DOM you use Faricy? Brought mine in on 8/25 and still waiting. thought they were bsing me about the time frame
Yes. They are at the mercy of Jeep releasing the parts as there just isn’t enough nation wide to get everyone fixed. I recommend following up weekly and I am only guessing but you should have the kit in the next month. This isn’t a Faricy issue but just part availability as far as timing.
 

Tapped_Out

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Question, and apologies if it's already been answered, but this is now a really huge thread to navigate.

Does anyone know if there's a certain build date cutoff, where the bad steering gear was no longer being installed in the vehicles? Are certain trims more likely to be affected, etc?

For example, the door jam says our Mojave has a build date of 07/20. But some of the other part papers kind of hint at April. Tough to figure out with the pandemic shutdown issues.

Then there's the mention of a software update in this thread as part of this steering wander problem? What's the scoop on the software update?

This isn't my vehicle, it's my wife's, something she really, really wanted because of it's appearance, but now she's somewhat disappointed with the purchase because of the steering wander.

And I don't like the "wander" problem either. Traveling home from the purchase on the interstate at 70mph had me white knuckling stuff in the passenger compartment as she was struggling to control the vehicle while passing semi-trucks. That ride really freaked me the eff-out.

She's had two previous Rubicons, a 2012 Unlimited that blew two Penstar cylinder heads (at 9k and 22k), and a 2018 two-door that had no serious issues. The wife says the steering wander in this Gladiator is far worse than anything she experienced in those two. And they both had similar mud tires.

Talk about a shock trading in a Vette with precise steering, capable of going 178mph, to this thing that's all over the road at 70mph.

Will the optional steering damper help control this thing better for her? We don't spend a lot of time on the interstate, but have to do it occasionally.
 

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Question, and apologies if it's already been answered, but this is now a really huge thread to navigate.

Does anyone know if there's a certain build date cutoff, where the bad steering gear was no longer being installed in the vehicles? Are certain trims more likely to be affected, etc?

For example, the door jam says our Mojave has a build date of 07/20. But some of the other part papers kind of hint at April. Tough to figure out with the pandemic shutdown issues.

Then there's the mention of a software update in this thread as part of this steering wander problem? What's the scoop on the software update?

This isn't my vehicle, it's my wife's, something she really, really wanted because of it's appearance, but now she's somewhat disappointed with the purchase because of the steering wander.

And I don't like the "wander" problem either. Traveling home from the purchase on the interstate at 70mph had me white knuckling stuff in the passenger compartment as she was struggling to control the vehicle while passing semi-trucks. That ride really freaked me the eff-out.

She's had two previous Rubicons, a 2012 Unlimited that blew two Penstar cylinder heads (at 9k and 22k), and a 2018 two-door that had no serious issues. The wife says the steering wander in this Gladiator is far worse than anything she experienced in those two. And they both had similar mud tires.

Talk about a shock trading in a Vette with precise steering, capable of going 178mph, to this thing that's all over the road at 70mph.

Will the optional steering damper help control this thing better for her? We don't spend a lot of time on the interstate, but have to do it occasionally.
Go to your front drivers tire and lift up the inside fender lining in the near the front of the tire just above the frame and you will see the steering box. The old ones are grey and the new ones with the steel gears are black.
If you have the old grey one, do not sweat it. This is what I did. I printed out the TSB, and took my JT Rubicon in for the Clutch recall, the 5th oil change (I did the others myself) and tire rotation. I gave them the TSB and told them it wanders and check it out. They did the other stuff in one day. My clutch was fine. They said the steering is too loose and they have to ordered the new steering parts. I picked up the truck the next day and now I am just waiting for the parts to appear and I will take it back for installation. So, in my opinion, the best thing is to take the truck in for some other service, ie. oil change, tire rotation, interior issues, etc... , get the truck check out for the TSB, get the parts ordered, pick up the truck the next day, then, wait for the parts to arrive.
My experience is that they are very hesitant to order the steering parts ahead of time before checking out the truck in person, and there is no reason to leave the truck there while waiting for parts.

PS. my dealer was great, and I did not buy my JT Rubicon there.
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