37 inch tires Warranty Warning.

[JD101]

Take this scenario a step further and look at diff , t case , or trans issues . Now we are talking $$ some of which there isn't a great aftermarket work around . You do have to assume risk when modding things . And the argument for whether or not the root cause was faulty equipment or your mods exists. It's still puts you in a poor negotiating position with the big dogs . How much risk would you like to assume ? $$?

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[dcmdon]

Take this scenario a step further and look at diff , t case , or trans issues . Now we are talking $$ some of which there isn't a great aftermarket work around . You do have to assume risk when modding things . And the argument for whether or not the root cause was faulty equipment or your mods exists. It's still puts you in a poor negotiating position with the big dogs . How much risk would you like to assume ? $$?

Having worked as a service writer, if I try to play it right down the middle. Neither doing the customer a favor (which we often did) nor breaking his balls.

I'd probably deny the steering problem the OP mentioned because it is DIRECTLY impacted by a wheel and tire combo that is larger and roughly twice as heavy as OEM.

Diff, transfer case, and transmission are really not impacted. You can only stress them with as much power as the motor can make and it doesn't really matter how big the tires are.

And like you said, they can't "void the warranty". If you put on a 4" spacer lift kit and 40s all on stock axles then complain that it doesn't steer right, well its your problem. But if the power windows stop working, it will be covered.

About the only time I've ever seen a warranty "voided" was with a car submerged 3 ft in salt water. ha. And even then, they would have probably covered a sunroof problem. ;-)

 

[Jeeperjamie]

They don't have to prove it unless you took them to court and you'd lose. All the causes of death wobble, loose items, worn bushings, loose steering box that wasn't loose before, would all be taxed by the 37s. As long as the 37s reasonably contributed to the failure of the wear items you're screwed.

The downside is that this isn't to say you wouldn't have gotten death wobble on stock tires but since you made the change that's a question the dealer doesn't have to answer

True but was any of the stuff worn out really. I don't see 37's wearing stuff out in a year. I ran 37's on my JKU for almost 2yrs and 35's before that for 4, I didn't change any stock components out until around 100,000 miles and that was a trackbar. I've also been running 37's on my JT for over a year and the only thing I've added is a trackbar. I was mainly meaning stuff like blown engine, Transmission, stuff like that would be covered, but sure stuff like ball joints and steering components, your more than likely on your own.

On the other hand Death Wobble is a hard one to figure out and I can see a dealership saying it's not a warranty issue if you change stock stuff out. Before I would of went to the dealership I would have had the tires checked to see if there was something wrong with them, that's normally free at a tire shop. Plus like was said who knows the mileage and stuff in the vehicle plus some people don't know the difference between a unbalanced out round tire and death wobble.

 

[Ar4130]

If your running 37's, I assume you have also replaced/modified the stock suspension with some type of lift/mods. They could attribute the DW to your tires and/or the mods needed to run them. You can't expect them to fix a problem that was likely caused by aftermarket parts, bad installation or in some cases bigger tires (with issues). You are better off diagnosing yourself.

 

[bleda2002]

True but was any of the stuff worn out really. I don't see 37's wearing stuff out in a year. I ran 37's on my JKU for almost 2yrs and 35's before that for 4, I didn't change any stock components out until around 100,000 miles and that was a trackbar. I've also been running 37's on my JT for over a year and the only thing I've added is a trackbar. I was mainly meaning stuff like blown engine, Transmission, stuff like that would be covered, but sure stuff like ball joints and steering components, your more than likely on your own.

On the other hand Death Wobble is a hard one to figure out and I can see a dealership saying it's not a warranty issue if you change stock stuff out. Before I would of went to the dealership I would have had the tires checked to see if there was something wrong with them, that's normally free at a tire shop. Plus like was said who knows the mileage and stuff in the vehicle plus some people don't know the difference between a unbalanced out round tire and death wobble.

Oh for sure, engine, tranny, anything not directly related to front steering or rear suspension i'd be fighting with them.

 

[Roklimo]

Why would you take it to the dealer? Do you not think that the death wobble was likely due to the modifications you made to the suspension and larger tires on wheels with lower offset?

Kind of like going to the police to report that your dealer ripped you off on your last meth purchase...

 

[Daddiator54]

Doesn’t help the dealer’s case when death wobble happens on a 100% stock gladiator.

 

[dcmdon]

Doesn’t help the dealer’s case when death wobble happens on a 100% stock gladiator.

That isn't the case here.

 

[dcmdon]

If your running 37's, I assume you have also replaced/modified the stock suspension with some type of lift/mods. They could attribute the DW to your tires and/or the mods needed to run them. You can't expect them to fix a problem that was likely caused by aftermarket parts, bad installation or in some cases bigger tires (with issues). You are better off diagnosing yourself.

Agreed, even if the suspension is stock, you have a set of 150 lb wheels and tires on stock suspension. An out of balance wheel could create a DW.

 

[MoparDave]

All I can say is I have been running 37's on the 100% stock suspension 1 day after taking delivery of my JTR...

.....and 27,000 miles later, zero issues with death wobble or anything else, other than a sun visor replaced under warranty.

 

[LordEnzo]

Has Noone thought to just swap stock wheels/tires and the test drive to isolate the 37s? Simple and effective, they would know right away. In the end, they can't just visually call it like that. As per Moss-Magnuson Act, dealer needs to prove it to be the fault of the aftermarket part in order to deny the warranty. Customer still need to approve/pay for diagnostic beforehand, but if it does get covered under warranty, then it will be absorbed/refunded.

 

[dcmdon]

Has Noone thought to just swap stock wheels/tires and the test drive to isolate the 37s? Simple and effective, they would know right away. In the end, they can't just visually call it like that. As per Moss-Magnuson Act, dealer needs to prove it to be the fault of the aftermarket part in order to deny the warranty. Customer still need to approve/pay for diagnostic beforehand, but if it does get covered under warranty, then it will be absorbed/refunded.

Putting the original tires on would be a great diagnostic step. I think we've all assumed this wasn't practical.

A friend of mine has a Jeep that he just bought a set of 37s for. He will be keeping the Sport rims with 255/75-16 wheels that it came with for when he brings it in for inspection.

For the cost of a set of Sport Take-offs, it is probably smart to have a set around. Maybe owned by multiple people for use when getting truck inspected or trips to the dealer.

Your understanding of the MM ACT is not quite right. Legally speaking the dealer must prove causation. But on a practical level, that doesn't happen until you are in court.

So if the dealer denies your claim, they don't have to do ANYTHING until you go through all the time, energy, and expense of taking them to court.

So in reality, they don't have to prove anything. It is you who has to prove to them that the problem should be covered. If they refuse, you have a choice, Pay to fix the problem yourself. Or go to court, where (you correctly observed) the burden of proof is on them.

 

[Adventure Rack Systems]

We run 38's and 40's on our shop/ARS rigs... no problem.

 

[NachoRuby]

Putting the original tires on would be a great diagnostic step. I think we've all assumed this wasn't practical.

A friend of mine has a Jeep that he just bought a set of 37s for. He will be keeping the Sport rims with 255/75-16 wheels that it came with for when he brings it in for inspection.

For the cost of a set of Sport Take-offs, it is probably smart to have a set around. Maybe owned by multiple people for use when getting truck inspected or trips to the dealer.

Your understanding of the MM ACT is not quite right. Legally speaking the dealer must prove causation. But on a practical level, that doesn't happen until you are in court.

So if the dealer denies your claim, they don't have to do ANYTHING until you go through all the time, energy, and expense of taking them to court.

So in reality, they don't have to prove anything. It is you who has to prove to them that the problem should be covered. If they refuse, you have a choice, Pay to fix the problem yourself. Or go to court, where (you correctly observed) the burden of proof is on them.

Everyone quoting the Magnusson-Moss act always forgets one thing: You'd have to sue to even have a chance at getting a remedy. That means court. And legal fees (yes, you get it back if you when. If), time, lawyers, etc. They are banking on most people not going through the time and effort to get this far. I might for a very expensive problem, but for most run of the mill issues, it's a risk vs reward thing. You might go through all the effort, spend all the money, and still lose. Then you might even have to pay THEIR legal fees too.

 

[dcmdon]

Everyone quoting the Magnusson-Moss act always forgets one thing: You'd have to sue to even have a chance at getting a remedy. That means court. And legal fees (yes, you get it back if you when. If), time, lawyers, etc. They are banking on most people not going through the time and effort to get this far. I might for a very expensive problem, but for most run of the mill issues, it's risk vs reward thing. You might go through all the effort, spend all the money, and still lose. Then you might even have to pay THEIR legal fees too.

Right. And also since its federal law. Dont forget that you would have to sue in federal court. So no small claims at your local courthouse.

Which is why it pays to bring coffee and bagels to the service writers when you are getting your oil changed or any warranty work done.

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