Steering Issue at 1300 Miles - Failed Track Bar Mount

[Jeepsterfreak]

Looks like the robot missed the alignment of the weld completely. All the weld is on the mount. It never appeared to be on the frame in that location.

If you turn your wheels left and right while in park, does that mount move back and fourth like it’s completely separated from the frame?

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[UNC Rubicon]

Looks like the robot missed the alignment of the weld completely. All the weld is on the mount. It never appeared to be on the frame in that location.

If you turn your wheels left and right while in park, does that mount move back and fourth?

I haven't tested that yet. But when I was turning into my neighborhood last night, the front end would make a popping/clanking sound if I turned sharply to the right.

I'm not home at the moment, but I'll test it out and let you know when I get home.

 

[NCJeepn73]

I haven't tested that yet. But when I was turning into my neighborhood last night, the front end would make a popping/clanking sound if I turned sharply to the right.

I'm not home at the moment, but I'll test it out and let you know when I get home.

From the picture you posted it looks like the front (outer) weld is separated, the front-side underneath weld is separated, and perhaps the backside weld and the weld behind the bracket tucked away behind the steering box may be still holding the bracket in place?

In other words, the bracket should have welds on all 4 sides which attach it to the frame. Two we can see. The other two may have saved you from total loss of steering.

 

[XTrooper]

I crawled under the Jeep this morning and found the track bar mount looking like this. I'm not mechanically inclined when it comes to steering components but that doesn't look quite right.

Hello. First off, sorry for your misfortune and glad things didn't get uglier when you lost your steering. Is that grey area above the mount look to you like where a weld once was? I ask because that is just about the location of the weld holding that mount on my Jeep, at least for now. The welds on it don't inspire confidence.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Hello. First off, sorry for your misfortune and glad things didn't get uglier when you lost your steering. Is that grey area above the mount look to you like where a weld once was? I ask because that is just about the location of the weld holding that mount on my Jeep, at least for now. The welds on it don't inspire confidence.

Does it appear the OP’s mount has pulled away from the frame when comparing it to your Jeep? I do wonder if it flexes under load and that gray area is where the mount was once attached and now it’s flexing and rubbing that outside area. Maybe that’s not possible if the other welds are secure unless the mount is fractured. Is it possible that faulty welds are allowing the mounts to flex away from the frame resulting in fractured mounts?

So many people complaining of wandering and dead spot steering. Could that be a symptom of a flexing track bar mount?

Does your mount have the gap (where it curves) under the frame that appears in the OP’s pic?

For reference, the bar we see at the bottom is the sway bar and not the track bar? Is that correct?

It would be helpful if another member could post a pic from the same angle.

 

[NCJeepn73]

Here's what is quite evident from the picture and angle from the OP.

 

[GordonZoo]

WOW! The robot totally missed the weld zone. It welded the top of the bracket and looks like there was no attachment to the frame. This build date was way after the incidents were first brought up to the quality dept. Someone is NOT doing their job in inspection.

 

[Redneck_Jedi]

Here's what is quite evident from the picture and angle from the OP.

After seeing that, it would definitely be wise to have the other welds inspected too.

 

[NCJeepn73]

WOW! The robot totally missed the weld zone. It welded the top of the bracket and looks like there was no attachment to the frame. This build date was way after the incidents were first brought up to the quality dept. Someone is NOT doing their job in inspection.

Yep, the weld bead is 100% on the front of the bracket, nothing on top. The worn looking grayish color where the top bracket weld bead should be is likely from moving back and forth before it broke... or, there was a weld bead there and it has totally cracked off from the bracket shifting slightly upwards over and over again.

 

[XTrooper]

Here's a photo of mine.

 

[XTrooper]

Yep, the weld bead is 100% on the front of the bracket, nothing on top. The worn looking grayish color where the top bracket weld bead should be is likely from moving back and forth before it broke... or, there was a weld bead there and it has totally cracked off from the bracket shifting slightly upwards over and over again.

Ok. Thank you for the explanation. Either possibility makes sense to me.

 

[UNC Rubicon]

I added his twitter and facebook links above.

Pretty sure I found him on here.

@brandonh

Maybe between threads here, Brandon (if you're willing), social media, and complaints with NHTSA we can get FCA to actually take care of this lack of quality control before someone is hurt or killed.

 

[XTrooper]

Here's what is quite evident from the picture and angle from the OP.

What is that that you have marked as cracked on the left of the photo? I can't identify it on my Jeep. Thanks.

 

[NCJeepn73]

What is that that you have marked as cracked on the left of the photo? I can't identify it on my Jeep. Thanks.

It's the weld bead on the front of the track bar bracket. There are 4 welds holding the bracket onto the frame, a long bead in the front (missing on OP's track bar), long one in the back beside the steering box, and two shorter welds on either side underneath the frame rail. The cracked one that's seen in the picture is the front-side, underneath weld. You'd have to slide under the Jeep and look up with a flashlight to really see it well.

Attached is that weld on mine. It looks the way it does because there was an attempted re-weld from FCA.

 

[XTrooper]

It's the weld bead on the front of the track bar bracket. There are 4 welds holding the bracket onto the frame, a long bead in the front (missing on OP's track bar), long one in the back beside the steering box, and two shorter welds on either side underneath the frame rail. The cracked one that's seen in the picture is the front-side, underneath weld. You'd have to slide under the Jeep and look up with a flashlight to really see it well.

Attached is that weld on mine. It looks the way it does because there was an attempted re-weld from FCA.

Got it. Thanks!

Here's a photo of the inboard side of my bracket. I'm assuming (hoping) that the small curved piece forward (to the lower right) of the welded portion is not supposed to be welded?

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