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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[jac04]

I'm of the opinion that "FORCE" caused the metal to rip/tear not a better/stronger swaybar from Helwig.

Well, a stronger sway bar imparts greater force on the sway bar links (and therefore brackets) than the stock sway bar, attempting to keep the rear axle more parallel to the chassis.

To me, your picture may indicate that the hardware wasn't tightened properly. There appears to be 'gouge' marks for about 180 degrees, centered around the corner that is broken off. As the end link was loaded in opposite directions over many cycles, the corner broke off from fatigue. At least to me, that's what looks like may have happened.

 

[sandifer]

Well, a stronger sway bar imparts greater force on the sway bar links (and therefore brackets) than the stock sway bar, attempting to keep the rear axle more parallel to the chassis.

To me, your picture may indicate that the hardware wasn't tightened properly. There appears to be 'gouge' marks for about 180 degrees, centered around the corner that is broken off. As the end link was loaded in opposite directions over many cycles, the corner broke off from fatigue. At least to me, that's what looks like may have happened.

Thanks for your input.... Like I was saying in my post. The dealer actually installed the sway bar...I'm gona bring that up to them....

 

[Cripton805]

I would definitely think they over torqued the bolt. But either way. It's an easy fix. $800+ dollars for a weld. Just get a shop to fabricate something better and weld it on for like 1/8th of that cost. Probably a muffler shop can do it for super cheap. Maybe a high grade steel or something. Hit it with some rust preventing paint.

 

[jac04]

They will still likely blame the Hellwig sway bar. There is still the chance that, even with the hardware properly torqued, the factory bracket isn't strong enough for the stronger sway bar.

There have been several reports of problems with these brackets in the past:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/broken-rear-sway-bar-frame-mounts.39275/
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-rear-sway-bar-end-link-frame-brackets.47855/
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/rear-sway-bar-connection-point-broken.33689/

 

[sandifer]

They will still likely blame the Hellwig sway bar. There is still the chance that, even with the hardware properly torqued, the factory bracket isn't strong enough for the stronger sway bar.

There have been several reports of problems with these brackets in the past:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/broken-rear-sway-bar-frame-mounts.39275/
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-rear-sway-bar-end-link-frame-brackets.47855/
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/rear-sway-bar-connection-point-broken.33689/

Wow thanks for the good information jac04. Looks like this is a recurring problem.

 

[jac04]

It also appears that running a lift without the proper longer length rear end links can cause issues.

Either way, with a lift and aftermarket rear sway bar, I think you're on your own to fix this.

 

[sandifer]

It also appears that running a lift without the proper longer length rear end links can cause issues.

Either way, with a lift and aftermarket rear sway bar, I think you're on your own to fix this.

Yea...I'm probably screwed.....The dealer's "employee" I talked to privately agreed that the sway bar was not the cause but couldn't say that. The policy is pretty is that if you modify it with any non Mopar part, they are going to deny warranty. Period..... Which hadn't been the case with other Wranglers I've owned from a dealer in another state...

 

[Free2roam]

Well, a stronger sway bar imparts greater force on the sway bar links (and therefore brackets) than the stock sway bar, attempting to keep the rear axle more parallel to the chassis.

To me, your picture may indicate that the hardware wasn't tightened properly. There appears to be 'gouge' marks for about 180 degrees, centered around the corner that is broken off. As the end link was loaded in opposite directions over many cycles, the corner broke off from fatigue. At least to me, that's what looks like may have happened.

That little bit of metal from the bottom of the hole to the bottom of the bracket. Just doesn't seem thick enough IMO. Maybe what 1/4"? How thick is that metal? Maybe 3/16? Hell it's not even 3/16 just looked at mine it's closer to 1/8. Which at that point is basically sheet metal with some stiffener breaks in it. Some weak ass shit.

 

[sandifer]

That little bit of metal from the bottom of the hole to the bottom of the bracket. Just doesn't seem thick enough IMO. Maybe what 1/4"? How thick is that metal? Maybe 3/16? Hell it's not even 3/16 just looked at mine it's closer to 1/8. Which at that point is basically sheet metal with some stiffener breaks in it. Some weak ass shit.

Your exactly right...It's shockingly thin. It is basically like sheet metal..I don't know exactly when this happened but I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary..... Not off roading or anything....

 

[Free2roam]

Your exactly right...It's shockingly thin. It is basically like sheet metal..I don't know exactly when this happened but I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary..... Not off roading or anything....

Got another dealer close by? Put on your old sway bar and take it back to them. Not necessarily the right thing to do. But ehhh.

 

[sandifer]

Got another dealer close by? Put on your old sway bar and take it back to them. Not necessarily the right thing to do. But ehhh.

Man I wish I did..I let the dealer who installed the Helwig keep the Mopar..

 

[wchevron]

Go to a sheetmetal fabrication shop. Or an HVAC shop. They will probably have some U channel or could order a thicker piece and weld it on.

 

[DAVECS1]

If you where close by I would fix it for a 12 pack

 

[f33d]

F/S - Barely used Mojave. Never taken off-road or towed with.

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