TSB Steering Gear Boxes Are On National Backorder

[Aberk]

Picking my gladiator rubicon up this afternoon they are finished installing new steel steering gearbox and have flashed the software. My dealer said on phone the Jeep is letting them get one gearbox every 2 weeks. My dealer said they have been informed to keep installing the new one when requested

I was told the same 2 week message and that was about 4 weeks ago. I'm trying to get the dealer to tell me where I am in line with others so I can know when to bring it in.

Sponsored

 

[brianinca]

Thank you for that data point. I'm getting the runaround from Lampe in Visalia, figured to try Liberty in Hanford before trekking back to Fresno. I wish Tulare still had a Jeep dealership. Mefford and Hood was old school in a good way!

I picked up my gladiator with the box replaced. I didn't realize how bad my steering was. The difference is night and day.

On a side note the dealer (Jim Manning in Dinuba, ca) received my service feedback from my first visit. He told me not to bring my vehicle back to them since I gave him a rating like that. He also said those parts I have on order for you, we cancelled them.
So instead of looking at the feedback and saying "hey we shouldn't argue about who is going to HAVE to talk to this customer in front of the customer," they just say it is a bad customer and don't come back.
It is amazing to purchase a $59k vehicle (actually 2) and to be treated like that.
There really should be a dealer review section in these forums and we should make it a point to support the dealers who support the customers.

 

[hjdca]

Do not be discouraged. My dealer was great and I gave them great reviews. one trip to diagnose, and one trip back when the parts are there (3 to 4 weeks later) for a one day fix. Painless, and the upgraded steering box is fantastic and obvious right when you take off. Probably best to go to dealer that deals with a lot of Jeeps, ie. my Jeep dealer has lifted Jeeps with 35's in the showroom and they already did a few of the Steering TSBs. No leaks, no mess, no air trapped in the system, and proper fluid level.

 

[Samslop]

Pick up my 2020 gladiator rubicon this morning with new steering gearbox and flash. All I can say is wow. Don’t listen to everyone else the difference is night and day it drives like a real truck. No more pulling and handles unbelievably all I can say is get it done as soon as you can. It’s a great fix.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

Word has it that the steering gear boxes (TSB) are on a national back-order with NO ETA on delivery.....perfect!

No wonder why, with everyone going for it whether they need it or not . . .

 

[Ravenron]

No wonder why, with everyone going for it whether they need it or not . . .

Honest question...

Who determines whether someone needs it or not? We all paid good money for our trucks...If I'm not satisfied with how it drives and there is a fix for it from the manufacturer, why shouldn't I, or anyone, follow the appropriate steps to remedy it? Just because the dealers and FCA can't manage their own fix and supply chain, why shouldn't any owner still pursue?

You may have some with more severe problems than others. How would I even know if my problem is more or less severe than someone across the country, across town or across the street? You can't. Everyone's driving skill, driving environment, drivers in household, etc. are all different...all with their own considerations. A steering issue manageable by you may be dangerous for me or my wife or my teenage drivers. Should I expect every other Gladiator owner to standby until I get my problem solved? No...

So...back to my original question...who determines whether someone NEEDS the fix or not? The answer is each owner has every right to request the fix if they feel they need it and not you, or me or anyone else on this board has the right to question or accuse them for pursuing it. To fix or not to fix is between the owner, their dealer and FCA...that's it.

Flame away...but I do sympathize with those being jerked around by this system...it's total BS and an unacceptable way for a company to treat it's customers. Complain with your feet...find a new dealer...buy a Tocoma or a Bronco next time. The good news is that it appears FCA is trying to remedy the situation. It's just going to take some time. This too shall pass and next year or next month or next week we'll all have something else to gripe and complain about.

Just my $.02 worth and as valuable or worthless as yours.

(and BTW...not intended directly for you Martin...you seem like a nice guy. My statements are more rhetoricaI and aimed at the situation in general. I probably need to just stop reading these threads...)

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

Honest question...

Who determines whether someone needs it or not? We all paid good money for our trucks...If I'm not satisfied with how it drives and there is a fix for it from the manufacturer, why shouldn't I, or anyone, follow the appropriate steps to remedy it? If the dealers and FCA can't manage their own fix and supply chain, why shouldn't any owner still pursue?

I think you have answered your own question. The TSB itself defines the problem as the customer having issues with the steering, as repeated below.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may describe one or more of the following:
•Steering wander.
•Vehicle has a lead/pull to the right or left

However, some members have advocated getting the dealer to replace the steering box, even if they haven't experienced any issues, just to have the steel box. That is what I was referring to.

I have the original box, I have not had any steering issues, and therefore I have no plans to request the TSB be done.

 

[Ravenron]

I think you have answered your own question. The TSB itself defines the problem as the customer having issues with the steering, as repeated below.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may describe one or more of the following:
•Steering wander.
•Vehicle has a lead/pull to the right or left

However, some members have advocated getting the dealer to replace the steering box, even if they haven't experienced any issues, just to have the steel box. That is what I was referring to.

I have the original box, I have not had any steering issues, and therefore I have no plans to request the TSB be done.

Fair enough...my rant was at the end of a long day. Was probably a bit more pointed than it should have been. Hopefully, FCA will get this straightened out and everyone who wants or needs it can get covered. Take care and have a very Happy Thanksgiving sir!

 

[hjdca]

I think you have answered your own question. The TSB itself defines the problem as the customer having issues with the steering, as repeated below.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may describe one or more of the following:
•Steering wander.
•Vehicle has a lead/pull to the right or left

However, some members have advocated getting the dealer to replace the steering box, even if they haven't experienced any issues, just to have the steel box. That is what I was referring to.

I have the original box, I have not had any steering issues, and therefore I have no plans to request the TSB be done.

Here is the story for me:

1. My FJ62 has over 2 inches of play in the steering
2. My JT had about 1.25 inches of play in the steering. I was not upset with that.
3. After the TSB, my JT now has .25 inches of play. Huge improvement, I really like it. I noticed a big difference. It is much better on the fwy now.

So, yes, I could of lived with it as it was, but, it is much better now, and my girlfriend also noticed a huge difference when she drives it.

A simple test is to check the play in your steering. If it is over 1 inch, then, you can benefit by this TSB, or you can just choose to live with it. In my case, I had to bring my JT in for the clutch recall anyway, and I brought the TSB in with me, and told them to check it out, it has too much play and wanders sometimes on the fwy. They agreed it had too much play, and one month later, when the parts arrived, they changed out the steering box in one day.

After going through the process, my advice would be to go to the dealer, and get "on the record" that you need the new TSB performed. Once that is accomplished, and you are in the system, you can just stay low key and wait it out.

 

[BAT]

I think you have answered your own question. The TSB itself defines the problem as the customer having issues with the steering, as repeated below.

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may describe one or more of the following:
•Steering wander.
•Vehicle has a lead/pull to the right or left

However, some members have advocated getting the dealer to replace the steering box, even if they haven't experienced any issues, just to have the steel box. That is what I was referring to.

I have the original box, I have not had any steering issues, and therefore I have no plans to request the TSB be done.

In speaking with Jeep their opinion seems to be that eventually all the original steering boxes will need to be changed. They just don't want to get into a Recall situation possibly and having it done via TSB solves that issue

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

In speaking with Jeep their opinion seems to be that eventually all the original steering boxes will need to be changed. They just don't want to get into a Recall situation possibly and having it done via TSB solves that issue

A simple test is to check the play in your steering. If it is over 1 inch, then, you can benefit by this TSB, or you can just choose to live with it.

After going through the process, my advice would be to go to the dealer, and get "on the record" that you need the new TSB performed. Once that is accomplished, and you are in the system, you can just stay low key and wait it out.

Mine has 1/2" of play and no pulling. I will wait at least until it gets worse.

 

[BAT]

Mine has 1/2" of play and no pulling. I will wait at least until it gets worse.

Yea I have about 3/4 to an inch of play but it wanders like crazy when I get on the highway speeds. Have to constantly correct. So far two dealerships won't even bother with the TSB so will look back into it when I go in for next oil change at 10,000 miles see if its same or has degraded any

 

[jeepit]

How is the TSB Steering Gear Boxes Are On National Backorder situation?
Have any of you gotten it replaced after the Backorder situation started?
I initially decided to wait but changed my mind and put in TSB order, for my month old order, last week i was told by dealership they still do not have ETA

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How is the TSB Steering Gear Boxes Are On National Backorder situation?
Have any of you gotten it replaced after the Backorder situation started?
I initially decided to wait but changed my mind and put in TSB order, for my month old order, last week i was told by dealership they still do not have ETA

What backorder?
A week ago last monday I took my JT in for wave oil change, tire rotation and a couple of minor warranty things, and to get my passive entry sales code put in my VIN with Jeep. I told them please do the alignment as the new steering TSB specifies and please check it over - it's loose again (they replaced my steering gear last fall under the TSB)
They called me about 2:30 that afternoon and said they needed to keep my truck overnight because they need to replace the steering gear -again. The next day it was in, they got it installed but because I was a walk-in, they didn't have time to do the alignment. Wednesday I had the truck back, new steering gear, alignment and most of the other stuff done (they had to order a couple of interior trim pieces - 3-5 day lead time, those have arrived now)
So in other words, I took it in on a Monday, they called me that afternoon, the new steering gear arrived Tuesday and they installed it Tuesday afternoon late.

 

[SF_E60]

How is the TSB Steering Gear Boxes Are On National Backorder situation?
Have any of you gotten it replaced after the Backorder situation started?
I initially decided to wait but changed my mind and put in TSB order, for my month old order, last week i was told by dealership they still do not have ETA

I was thinking of going in myself to try and get this taken care curious to know the backlog situation. Guess I'll call my local dealership to find out.

Sponsored