Sponsored

Issue Bulletin: Frame Weld Inspection/Repair (Rust, Pinholes, Alignment)

codylancaster

Member
First Name
Cody
Joined
Feb 17, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
21
Reaction score
27
Location
Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Not sure without confirming with someone in the FCA welding group, but a lot of processes for welding refer to AWS D1.1 specification. Here is a link for an older version to give more insight to good and bad welds. Knowing a certified weld inspector can help determine a structurally good or bad weld. However, that decision is typically based off the weld specification.

Weld failures such as stress risers and porosity is another animal all together. Weld cleanliness (p172, as attached) is important in welding and most codes state to clean the weld following which will remove the slag etc.

https://law.resource.org/pub/us/cfr/ibr/003/aws.d1.1.2000.pdf

3DF46D45-D40B-42CD-94D6-24B201428955.jpeg
Sponsored

 

four low

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Threads
13
Messages
3,112
Reaction score
3,670
Location
central New York
Vehicle(s)
2018 JL
Could people post the Build Dates of their JLs, that is more informative and easier to follow than Serial Numbers.
Thanks
 

Capt-Zoom

Well-Known Member
First Name
Capt-Zoom
Joined
May 27, 2018
Threads
39
Messages
825
Reaction score
589
Location
North
Vehicle(s)
2019 JL sport s, 4door. 1999 TJ Sport
The 18 JL I had with bad welds was built Feb 12 2018 iirc.

This might help but iirc those build dates are for assembly. Frames and axles are built elsewhere and shipped to the plant. I doubt they rotate stock. So hypothetically that frame could have been built much earlier in 2017
 

Rocstar

Active Member
First Name
Kristin
Joined
Aug 19, 2018
Threads
0
Messages
30
Reaction score
23
Location
Denison, Texas
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU, 2014 JK
Occupation
Technical Writer
Could people post the Build Dates of their JLs, that is more informative and easier to follow than Serial Numbers.
Thanks
Mine was built in June 2018, took delivery July 2018, finally got 7 welds fixed after being told no numerous times from the dealership, the regional manager, and Jeep Cares. I emailed Mike Manly and a week later they were fixed...
 

Sebuh

Well-Known Member
First Name
Sebuh
Joined
Aug 23, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
57
Reaction score
18
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
My build date says 7/2018.

Here's one I found with more than 6mm of porosity.

IMG_20200120_124855.jpg
 

Sponsored

Sebuh

Well-Known Member
First Name
Sebuh
Joined
Aug 23, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
57
Reaction score
18
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
I also just submitted the NHSTA reporting.
 

Sebuh

Well-Known Member
First Name
Sebuh
Joined
Aug 23, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
57
Reaction score
18
Location
Burbank, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited
Couldn't sleep last night getting anxiety over the frame welds. :-(
 

Capricorn

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2018
Threads
29
Messages
885
Reaction score
661
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Vehicle(s)
2024 JL Willys XR V6
Occupation
Network Architect & Engineer
Rust or Slag? According to the FCA STAR publication in post #1, Slag is acceptable and no repair needed. Nothing will get resolved until FCA changes this policy and states slag is not acceptable and requires repair. What will it take for FCA to change their minds?

If you examine new JLs on the lot and don’t notice the orange slag, this means the factory has improved its welding process to reduce, eliminate, remove slag OR they are just doing a better job of covering it up with paint to make it look pretty knowing darn well the paint will eventually flake off after you make the purchase and drive it home.
If it is any consolation, my new 2021 JLU Willys 3.0L also has the silica island (slag) on the welds I checked. It does not look like it will chip off. I don't think it is a serious problem otherwise it would have been addressed months ago.
 

jmcf1949

Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Jan 19, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
12
Reaction score
3
Location
Garden City, MI
Vehicle(s)
Chevy HHR
I wonder if there is any porosity on the jk welds?
Of course there is porosity on every frame made. It is acceptable if it does not exceed specs. at the time. The proper fix for excessive porosity is to grind out and reweld with MIG or SMAW.
 

Sponsored

DavidArmen

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Sep 19, 2020
Threads
28
Messages
1,468
Reaction score
1,616
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLUR
If it is any consolation, my new 2021 JLU Willys 3.0L also has the silica island (slag) on the welds I checked. It does not look like it will chip off. I don't think it is a serious problem otherwise it would have been addressed months ago.
Almost all the frame welds on my 2021 JLUR (built August 2020) have those silica patches as well.
 

Ron93YJ

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
Feb 10, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
430
Reaction score
607
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle(s)
2021 Rubicon 4xe
Spotted these silica patches on my 21 rubicon 4xe and thought it was rust. Found this thread and figured I’d chime in. Upon further inspection, I have these on most of my welds. Will still bring it to my dealers attention at the first oil change just to see what they say.

FF47B4E4-7328-44C7-BB5F-A596CC507982.jpeg
 

AG’s ‘ 21 Jeep Wrangler

Well-Known Member
First Name
Angelo
Joined
Jul 24, 2021
Threads
5
Messages
74
Reaction score
128
Location
Central FL
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S
My 2014 showed worse looking welds. When I sold it years later, they all looked the same, no different or worse. Who knows what they’ll be like in 20 years, but by then, I’m certain I won’t own it.
Sponsored

 
 



Top