Track bar frame weld issue recall! [Updated with official UA5 recall notice w/ repair procedure]

[Jeepsterfreak]

Took my 18 JLU to dealer in Cary, NC yesterday and they said I was the 11th or 12th inspection for the recall and no problems yet. Of course, that meant I would have the weld issue and sure enough the welds look like swiss cheese.

Here are the images:

Would appreciate any feedback on how bad this is, the service manager said FCA should be out to inspect next week but I am not confident in repairs on a purchase like this.

I would say the “location” of the weld looks okay, so FCA must also be evaluating the quality of the weld. That is ecouraging. What’s not encouraging is that most owners have similar looking welds on their track bar bracket that are NOT part of the recall.

Clearly this weld fails the porosity spec of 6.4mm per 25mm of weld.

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[richk225]

I look at that pic and you usually get that effect from either contamination or loss of shielding gas (if gas is used and not flux core). Do you know the parent material and or weld wire spec by chance?.

Why Thank you so much!! Can I get a stainless steel tooth brush to go with that sammich? Thanks, I needed a good laugh today.

 

[old8tora]

Take some Whiteout and paint over your date code then wipe off the Whiteout. The Whiteout should fill the stampings so you will be able to read the numbers easier. Hope that works to make your numbers more legible.

Brilliant idea !

 

[old8tora]

Why Thank you so much!! Can I get a stainless steel tooth brush to go with that sammich? Thanks, I needed a good laugh today.

I had the same reaction upon reading that .

 

[Kevman]

I went to my mopar on their website and my vehicle is registered. Doesn't say my vehicle is affected, but it was definitely build in that time frame. Had trouble finding that number on the frame, but I think the first three numbers are 846. I guess I'm not affected?

 

[digitalbliss]

What is your build date?

Feb 13

 

[GinjaNinja]

Well, I suppose I am not surprised my frame number is within range (156) since my welds (yes plural...on one bracket) look like a drunken monkey did them. I will likely seek a real inspection (X-ray) before and after the repair. Can’t see how three welds on one bracket is a good idea...

 

[WXman]

Mine was built 2-1-18, frame stamped 025, so I'm prior to the recall date but my welds look terrible with lots of porosity and splatter front, middle, and rear of the frame.

Will be interesting to see if this recall gets expanded or if class action lawsuits come of this.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Well, I suppose I am not surprised my frame number is within range (156) since my welds (yes plural...on one bracket) look like a drunken monkey did them. I will likely seek a real inspection (X-ray) before and after the repair. Can’t see how three welds on one bracket is a good idea...

Please don’t insult drunken monkeys with that weld.

 

[tombovo]

My frame stamp is pretty hard to read, so with a little white chalk rubbed over the scratches, it looks like the number is 156 and the build date is 6-18, so I am right in the recall population. This means I can't drive on an outing my wife has been planning and we have to go with another couple...in their Honda Fit! I am not happy.

 

[grady2hig]

#1) No idea on the 767, will ask the service manager in the morning.
#2) The welds must have failed the "picture test" as the service manager said they sent them off to FCA and their response was to give us a loaner while they sent someone out to inspect in person.

Since they had already inspected 10 other JLU's something must have stood out about mine for FCA to ask them to hold it so that they could come out and inspect.

Looks like they weld is off center...like its barely on the track bar mount and mostly on the frame.

 

[Well FML]

Just went over my welds and they look good to me but I'm not a welder. I am in the recall range; my number is 151. Build date from the stick is June 18th.

Well based off the only two photos posted. I’d say you do have some undercut from to high of voltage. Also from traveling to fast and not waiting to fill in the weld crater. I don’t see any porosity which is good in you favor and they are on the joint.

Just went over my welds and they look good to me but I'm not a welder. I am in the recall range; my number is 151. Build date from the stick is June 18th.

Well based off the only two photos posted. I’d say you do have some undercut from to high of a voltage. Also from traveling to fast and not waiting to fill in the weld crater. I don’t see any porosity which is good in you favor and they are on the joint. But undercut is a weld flaw. When this weld flaw occurs, the weld metal fails to fill in weld affected area, resulting in a weak weld that is prone to cracking along the toes.

 

[Elganja]

while mine has not failed and is not under “recall” as of yet— most of the trackbar welds look OK with the exception of 1, that was obviously “fixed” at some point (see picture)

i have a feeling Jeep knew about this QC issue, patched it (re-welds), and even further down, properly by making adjustments

anyways, here’s one crappy weld (i have a few like this on the frame)— i would classify it as purely cosmetic but ugly

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

while mine has not failed and is not under “recall” as of yet— most of the trackbar welds look OK with the exception of 1, that was obviously “fixed” at some point (see picture)

i have a feeling Jeep knew about this QC issue, patched it (re-welds), and even further down, properly by making adjustments

anyways, here’s one crappy weld (i have a few like this on the frame)— i would classify it as purely cosmetic but ugly

I think you win the award for “most artistic weld”.

 

[American Adventurist]

You know it’s bad when Jalopnik puts it on blast... @JeepCares

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