Broken tab/weld on Mojave Frame..No Warranty???

[sandifer]

I had the tab that holds the rear sway bar link literally tear (see attached pictures). No off roading or any other broken parts or damage. I think it may have happened when I fishtailed for a second on a patch of ice. Nothing else out of the ordinary has happened so I would assume that was the cause. I took it in to the dealer and they blamed the fact that there was an aftermarket sway Helwig bar installed(dealer installed the sway bar). They are refusing to fix it under warranty and blaming the sway bar as the cause, which amazes me. ANd they want $800 to weld it back together. I'm of the opinion that "FORCE" caused the metal to rip/tear not a better/stronger swaybar from Helwig. Naturally the "weakest link" in the chain is going to break under force. Which in this case is the Jeep sway bar bracket on the frame...

See the pictures and I'd love to have your opinions on this. I tried involving JeepCares, called and through this form and all I get is the phone number for a different dealer who have all been trained to blame any aftermarket part when remotely possible....I'd like a quilified engineer to comment on this if anyone out there is a PE.

What do you guys think???

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[Mac]

What is the difference between the stock and Hellwig sway bars?

 

[sandifer]

What is the difference between the stock and Hellwig sway bars?

Hellwig is stronger... Hence it's fine.. Only thing broken is the tab on the frame...

https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/?partnumber=7779

 

[JustinLentz]

I would take this to your local metal shop. Have them weld a little extra support after repairing the broken bracket. Much better welds and stronger than what the factory would do and cheaper. Plus, giving a local business some extra cash. It won't cost $800 either.

 

[sandifer]

I would take this to your local metal shop. Have them weld a little extra support after repairing the broken bracket. Much better welds and stronger than what the factory would do

Thanks...I think I'll do that no matter how this turns out. I'm just not going to pay Jeep $800 to weld this when its Jeeps issue..If they totally refuse to cover this I'm gona get a local shop to do the work...Even if they cover it and do the welding under warranty I'll take it local shop to check their work...Learned that I can't trust Jeep to do the right thing..

 

[JustinLentz]

I also have that same front DV8 bumper. Got the matching one for the rear. Is your bumper coating (its not paint) coming off? I'm about to the point where I take both bumpers off and to the powder coat show and have them do their thing. The coating on these bumpers suck.

Thanks...I think I'll do that no matter how this turns out. I'm just not going to pay Jeep $800 to weld this when its Jeeps issue..If they totally refuse to cover this I'm gona get a local shop to do the work...Even if they cover it and do the welding under warranty I'll take it local shop to check their work...Learned that I can't trust Jeep to do the right thing..

 

[sandifer]

I also have that same front DV8 bumper. Got the matching one for the rear. Is your bumper coating (its not paint) coming off? I'm about to the point where I take both bumpers off and to the powder coat show and have them do their thing. The coating on these bumpers suck.

Luckily, I've not had that issue. Knock on wood! ...My rear is a different brand though....

 

[Vtur]

I've read about this happened to someone already. The bracket does looks thin and weak.

 

[Bjeepz]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/broken-rear-sway-bar-frame-mounts.39275/

 

[Mac]

Hellwig is stronger... Hence it's fine.. Only thing broken is the tab on the frame...

https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/?partnumber=7779

I would think it would be the opposite, the stronger bar would put more stress on the tab and could be blamed for causing the breakage.

 

[ecidiego]

I would think it would be the opposite, the stronger bar would put more stress on the tab and could be blamed for causing the breakage.

100%

You stiffen something up, upstream parts now have more force on them.

 

[Dougstdig]

Without specs on both bars it’s hard to tell, but I assume they’re saying the higher torsional load of the beefier Hellwig caused it.

 

[jac04]

Is there any way to merge this thread together with the other one you created?
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/broken-tab-weld-on-mojave-frame-no-warranty.53001/

 

[Josh903]

I have had the same sway bar link frame mounts on both sides crack on my Gladiator when using the stock sway bar with longer links to accommodate a 3.5" lift. I ended up welding a small gusset along the inside of the tab since the inside is U shaped. Driver side had the captive nut begin to spin so I welded the nut to the gusset to stop it spinning. It's a pain in the rear for sure and I feel like it shouldn't have been so weak from the factory.

 

[sandifer]

100%

You stiffen something up, upstream parts now have more force on them.

I totally agree with both of you... My thought is that a "Jeep" is made to go offroad and withstand at least normal stress. We all to things to these vehicles that improve/strengthen them right? Something had to give in this situation because of the stress. What gives will be "the weakest" link in the chain...Had I had the stock sway bar it would have been the same tab or some other Mopar part that broke because of the stress..

My grip is that I improved the Jeep with the Helwig swaybar and the paper thin tabs broke under normal driving (not off road). The tabs on a Gladiator or Wrangler should be stronger than that.

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