Swaybar rust?

[plar]

I was test driving a new 2023 Gladiator Rubicon at a dealer this weekend. I noticed that the end of the swaybar where it connects to the swaybar link was uncoated (no paint, electroplating) metal and heavily rusted. I didn't think to take a picture. Both of the 2023 Gladiators I looked at were the same. Are all swaybars similarly uncoated at the ends? Some googling resulted in this thread on reddit:

Reddit thread

Where the poster claims the dealership replaced the swaybar with about the same amount of rust I observed, which if true, makes me think that at least someone thought this was a defect. Has anyone had a similar experience?

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[ShadowsPapa]

I suspect those who speak of rust on some of these parts never bought a new car in the 1970s or 1980s and are expecting perfection with a mass-produced truck meant to take a beating.
Rust on things like sway bar ends - hardly even worth writing about.
To have a dealer replace it for that is almost what I describe as a joke.
I'd take a wire brush to it (the sort with a wood or plastic handle) and brush off the loose stuff, treat it with a rust CONVERTER, wait 24 hours, then paint it if I was concerned.

 

[Vtur]

My 2022 rubi swaybar is coated all the way at those end links.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

Mine are coated all the way as well. No rust. 2021 JTR

 

[plar]

I edited the first post to fix the reddit link.

ShadowsPapa:

I agree that some folks make too much a an issue about rust on parts that are supposed to develop a patina. But, I not buying a car in the 70's or 80's, I'm looking to spend almost 60k on a new car in 2024. A buyer should make careful inspection of a new car and ask to have issues like this resolved before handing over the cash. I don't want to start spray painting the underside of my new truck before I even get a chance to drag it over some rocks.

It does sound like this might be a defect. I have since found photos of the swaybar and disconnect mechanism on parts supply websites that are completely coated all the way to the end.

 

[jav_eee]

I suspect those who speak of rust on some of these parts never bought a new car in the 1970s or 1980s

Some of us aren't that old

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Some of us aren't that old

You will be - your time is coming, kid ?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I edited the first post to fix the reddit link.

ShadowsPapa:

I agree that some folks make too much a an issue about rust on parts that are supposed to develop a patina. But, I not buying a car in the 70's or 80's, I'm looking to spend almost 60k on a new car in 2024. A buyer should make careful inspection of a new car and ask to have issues like this resolved before handing over the cash. I don't want to start spray painting the underside of my new truck before I even get a chance to drag it over some rocks.

It does sound like this might be a defect. I have since found photos of the swaybar and disconnect mechanism on parts supply websites that are completely coated all the way to the end.

Be careful - parts supply sites are selling a different thing - there's a lot of interesting stories - true - about how parts end up in the parts stores or parts department vs. used on the line. Two different orders for one thing - the stuff sold through the parts department or shop aren't the same order or batches as used on the line for assembly.
So it's really hard to compare.
Best to compare to pictures of the same part on an assembled vehicle - that's the only fair comparison.
Example - alternators for replacement, for stocking in the parts department actually had different plating and preservation treatments - those for use on the assembly line had no such treating or plating.
When selling parts - they care. When tossing parts in a vehicle, not so much.

So bottom line is - compare to other trucks on the lot or have other people here post pictures from their 2023 or 2024 model Gladiators.

Then you'll see if yours is really an oddball with a problem, or just another one off the line.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I see 2 or 3 others checked, and I took another look at mine to be sure - no rust at the ends of the sway bar. Black to the end.
So it looks like they changed their processes or supplier for those bars for the new model years or something.

2021 and 2022 are treated to the ends - need others with 2023 and later to check.

 

[Lunentucker]

Jeep doesn't expect steering and suspension parts to last long enough for some surface rust to become an issue before you either upgrade it falls off going down the road, snaps in half on a trail, or the bushings rot out.

"Take a beating" ? ? ?

 

[DarthAWM]

You will be - your time is coming, kid ?

 

[jav_eee]

You will be - your time is coming, kid ?

Oh I'm already getting there. Feeling it already!

 

[kevman65]

Jeep doesn't expect steering and suspension parts to last long enough for some surface rust to become an issue before you either upgrade it falls off going down the road, snaps in half on a trail, or the bushings rot out.

"Take a beating" ? ? ?

You're missing something, can't quite put my finger on it.....

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Jeep doesn't expect steering and suspension parts to last long enough for some surface rust to become an issue before you either upgrade it falls off going down the road, snaps in half on a trail, or the bushings rot out.

"Take a beating" ? ? ?

Did you miss the TSB about brake caliper bracket bolts? Your caliper seems to have fallen off.

 

[Hootbro]

The sway bar I think was a good call to be replaced. The axle rust is about what I would expect if it sat on the lot for any length of time.

The business side of any vehicle is not going to be show ready by any means and one should expect some minor surface rust may be evident on the frame underside even on a new vehicle.

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