TSB for steering bx completed, added 1.5" to front?

[Trippin01]

So I got the steering box replaced and the steering is much better, and they did an alignment (steering wheel is off a bit now tho). But when I parked it back in the garage I noticed the rake was missing and it was noticeably level. I thought maybe the back springs settled a bit, but when I had the 4.5" lift put on, I measured the fender height and recorded it at 42.5", so I remeasured today, and sure and as heck, the fenders are 1.5" higher in front, and it definitely drives way tighter. Center height of the fender (max tow, Sport S) is now 44". I'll take it. Thanks Jeep. I measured center of wheel to the part sticking out the most on the fender.

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[mx5red]

How is that possible without doing something to the springs?

 

[mx5red]

Any follow up? This has me stumped. I thought maybe if they tightened the control arms with everything drooped, but you have a big lift and I'm assuming any aftermarket arms for that would not hold up the truck an extra 1.5" like the OEM joints might?

 

[Renegade]

Sorry, but putting in a heavier cast iron steering box (vs. the original aluminum box) won’t lift your Jeep. This just didn’t happen the way it is being described. Physics doesn’t lie.

 

[Hootbro]

I fail to see how those dots connect.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Any follow up? This has me stumped. I thought maybe if they tightened the control arms with everything drooped, but you have a big lift and I'm assuming any aftermarket arms for that would not hold up the truck an extra 1.5" like the OEM joints might?

Why would they have anything loose to swap out the steering gear? It's bolted to the frame, and there's the pitman, but that's it. No parts to take loose other than the hoses and the bolts that hold it to the frame. There's no reason to loosen or mess with track bar, control arms, etc. (unless they are adjustable and the shop did an alignment - but even then.........)

There's also not much difference at all between the weight of the two steering gear - couple pounds maybe? Only the housing is different. And the cast aluminum alloy isn't THAT light.

 

[Pescado]

I got better gas mileage after installing door sill protectors

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I got better gas mileage after installing door sill protectors

I can see that if you had the doors off. You made the sill more aerodynamic.

 

[Trippin01]

So, here is the rest of the story. Truck suspension felt like Doggy doo doo since the steering box replacement. Truck was sitting 1.5" higher on the driver side, and drove like the front shocks were frozen in place. I put a ratchet strap on the drivers side coil spring and could not get it to compress. I was like what? everything was working perfect before the trip to the dealer. So I thought, let me remove the sway bar links and zig zag down the road to see if the shocks are messed up for some reason. I took the driver side link off and then I saw it...... The track bar was reinstalled backwards causing it to rest on the Pumpkin. I took a couple snap shots and called my suspension shop to see how I should approach the dealer, if at all. They already jacked it up once and I could have simply fixed it my self, but my trusted shop suggested I return to the dealer to let them make it right. Keep in mind my steering wheel was off center now to. Well, went back to the shop and the service director had them fix the track bar. But on the drive home I noticed the steering wheel was even more off center, so I'm headed back today. But theres more, when I read the work order receipt of the work completed, it stated, and I quote, "ADJUSTED TRACK BAR TO CORRECT POSITION TO CORRECT FOR CUSTOMER CONCERN AND CENTERED STEERING" I called them to let them know the steering wheel was more off center than before and why did they blame me for complaining about the track bar being re-installed, by them, wrong? I was told, "thats just how they have to write it up. I call BS. I let them know they had better make a note that they, the dealer shop, installed it incorrectly, its not may fault. If I would have went wheeling, or down to Moab (this coming weekends trip) with that track bar incorrectly installed as it was, I would have surely broke down and had to have been towed out of the desert.

 

[LostWoods]

Yeah... um... that's super not good for the track bar. They're strong with the forces they're designed to support but they are not designed to have the weight of the truck pushing on them. I would not at all be surprised if yours has a little bow to it now.

Also they re-wrote it that way because that way they can charge for warranty. It was a callback before, now it's a customer concern that pays .5 and doesn't hurt their metrics. Call Jeep and send pics and work order copies because that is not acceptable.

 

[Benbean66]

Holy crap, that's a nightmare... I'd stray away from the dealership, if it's possible for you to do so. Glad you found the issue. Enjoy your trip to Moab!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How could that happen just replacing the steering gear????

 

[Trippin01]

I fail to see how those dots connect.

They are now connected.

 

[Jefe1018]

Yikes! Sorry about this OP. Hopefully the dealer owns up to their mistake and makes it right!

 

[Trippin01]

How could that happen just replacing the steering gear????

I have no idea, extremely disappointing. But as you saw my original post, I noticed something sketchy right off the batt when I had an added 1.5" of lift upon returning from the "Warranty Work" I have a great suspension shop and I've learned to do what ever work I can on my own. This is the same dealer ship that wouldn't order the truck I wanted when I literally pulled my checkbook out and offered to put 10% down. I called Dave Smith up North and they took care of me that day, so the dealer here lost the sale, and thats after buying 14 cars from them over the last 30 years. I have a bad taste in my mouth just re-living it.

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