Made an appointment this morning for the g40 brake module recall and to fix the creaking noise from the right rear (what I thought was the spring seat TSB, should have been an hour fix). After several hours, they informed me the spring seats were not the source of the noise, but the upper control arm asm - they tightened the bolts and claimed that made the noise worse. At this point the sa gave me a free rental since they were still troubleshooting the noise and couldn't determine when they would find it.

Just got a voicemail stating that they are all finished up with the welding:eek:, they thought some of the spot welds were bad, and they will be reinstalling the rear suspension and testing it tomorrow. When talking with the sa I couldn't determine exactly what they welded. Anyone else familiar with this?

Made an appointment this morning for the g40 brake module recall and to fix the creaking noise from the right rear (what I thought was the spring seat TSB, should have been an hour fix). After several hours, they informed me the spring seats were not the source of the noise, but the upper control arm asm - they tightened the bolts and claimed that made the noise worse. At this point the sa gave me a free rental since they were still troubleshooting the noise and couldn't determine when they would find it.

Just got a voicemail stating that they are all finished up with the welding:eek:, they thought some of the spot welds were bad, and they will be reinstalling the rear suspension and testing it tomorrow. When talking with the sa I couldn't determine exactly what they welded. Anyone else familiar with this?
Damn...did they install a 9" Ford while they were at it?
Bill

Damn...did they install a 9" Ford while they were at it?
Bill

Ha! that would be nice, then all I would need is to find someone giving away a stroked FI motor to put it to good use...

They broke out the welder....Oh no....I would be nervous as hell....I am curious as to what the hell they did...Keep us informed.

umm.. I think I would initiate the lemon law and get a new vehicle before accepting a re-welded sub-frame or control arm bracket from the dealer .. especially if it's new.

I just processed a claim on Toyota for a similar problem.. the Toyota engineers would never allow a dealer to re-weld a component on the frame -- a frame replacement was the only option.

Good luck with it .. as that defect and resolution is now part of the repair history.

they thought some of the spot welds were bad, and they will be reinstalling the rear suspension and testing it tomorrow. When talking with the sa I couldn't determine exactly what they welded. Anyone else familiar with this?

I had trouble with creaking and missed/bad welding spots in front. Something inside cross member, I recall. In my case, it took them 4 attempts (last one in the body shop) and more than a month to identify and fix it. That's how I "earned" free 7/70 extanded warranty. I'd initiate lemon law and see what happens...

Yikes, sorry to hear about this.:(

no dealers are allowed to weld things... thats what i know...

no dealers are allowed to weld things... thats what i know...

I would agree. I don't see why a welder would even be in a dealer service shop.

I would agree. I don't see why a welder would even be in a dealer service shop.
For customer pay work, yes.

For warranty work, no.

I worked in a BMW service shop part time a few years ago, pretty much cause I had some extra time on my hands. I NEVER saw a welder there or someone who worked there that was trained to weld. I have also heard that if a major problem (re welding) exists, than you should start the lemon law procedure. My friend had a 06 Acura TL that just got lemoned, after the transmission fell off its mount for the 3rd time!

Hmmm, I was only a little worried before I posted yesterday, but now... I guess I need to get up there to see for myself exactly what was re-welded. It had exactly 12,000 miles when I left it with the dealer, and the creaking noise started at about 7000. Latest update is that a new upper control arm is needed and has been ordered (truck is still at their shop).

This dealer has a body shop on-site that performed the welding. Is is in writing anywhere that dealers are not allowed to perform welding repairs? I would hate to stir up the pot as it seems this dealer is really trying to resolve the issue and keep me in the free rental even though I didn't purchase it from them - assuming I don't get my jeep back with an extra 200 mi on the odo and condoms on the floor!

I'm very interested in this as well as I've had the creaking too...and in the shop 4 times. The last fix was a washer/spacer - but it only lasted a month.

If you could somehow get pics of where the weld is it would help the rest of us with the same issue.

Also - did the weld actually fix the creaking? Mine is from the rear passenger side.

Sorry for your creaking btw...it is VERY annoying on a daily basis.

stephen

Hmmm, I was only a little worried before I posted yesterday, but now... I guess I need to get up there to see for myself exactly what was re-welded. It had exactly 12,000 miles when I left it with the dealer, and the creaking noise started at about 7000. Latest update is that a new upper control arm is needed and has been ordered (truck is still at their shop).

This dealer has a body shop on-site that performed the welding. Is is in writing anywhere that dealers are not allowed to perform welding repairs? I would hate to stir up the pot as it seems this dealer is really trying to resolve the issue and keep me in the free rental even though I didn't purchase it from them - assuming I don't get my jeep back with an extra 200 mi on the odo and condoms on the floor!

In most cases the re-welding of something is usually stronger than it was un-welded, that is, if the welder knows what they are doing. Without seeing what they welded I am not going to say whether it was the right or wrong decision on their part. I would definitely not be as concerned as everyone on this thread. See what was welded, and decide whether or not you trust their work, or want to take this further. After all you have a warranty, and as a last resort there is always the lemon law. Considering they did not think they needed your approval on the welding, I am guessing they did not weld that much. If we are talking about spot welds, which I believe is what they told you, its definitely nothing to worry about

6 days and counting. Upper control arm has been replaced and they say it still makes the creaking noise. They are waiting on response from Chrysler on a permanent fix...

Wow I would be pissed!!!:(

In most cases the re-welding of something is usually stronger than it was un-welded, that is, if the welder knows what they are doing. Without seeing what they welded I am not going to say whether it was the right or wrong decision on their part. I would definitely not be as concerned as everyone on this thread. See what was welded, and decide whether or not you trust their work, or want to take this further. After all you have a warranty, and as a last resort there is always the lemon law. Considering they did not think they needed your approval on the welding, I am guessing they did not weld that much. If we are talking about spot welds, which I believe is what they told you, its definitely nothing to worry about


I'd be mostly worried when I tried to explain to the jeeps second owner the need for welding on the frame. That will send most folks runnin.

I'd be mostly worried when I tried to explain to the jeeps second owner the need for welding on the frame. That will send most folks runnin.

+1...Agreed.

I'd be mostly worried when I tried to explain to the jeeps second owner the need for welding on the frame. That will send most folks runnin.

If fixed properly, this should never have to be discussed. Welding is not a bad thing, the whole truck is welded together. Are those welds bad too??

If fixed properly, this should never have to be discussed. Welding is not a bad thing, the whole truck is welded together. Are those welds bad too??

no, not at all. But when and if they get the truck inspected by Gomer, he's going to say "hmm some welding repair here on the frame" the sale is going to go downhill. Chances of the inspector being able to convey the whole story is slim to none.

I finally got my ride back today, and she is as tight as a drum. They replaced the ctrl arm, ctrl arm bolt (said it was slightly bent), 4 spring isolators, and welding of the body. I'll take some pics later when I go explore what was reinforced...

I finally got my ride back today, and she is as tight as a drum. They replaced the ctrl arm, ctrl arm bolt (said it was slightly bent), 4 spring isolators, and welding of the body. I'll take some pics later when I go explore what was reinforced...
Interesting....let us know what you find.

Please...since I've had the same issues I'd love to see pics!

Thanks

-s-

dealer's have to have access to a welder or sublet a mobile welder company to do some recall's on certan types of veh. early dodge dakota's recall needed 2 steel tab's welded for the suspension...we did 2 here....guy's you gotta think, most of these tech's went to tech school where you learn to weld,do electrical,body work etc.some of them payed 35-40k per year to learn, so they can do what they do..would you question your dentist on how to remove a tooth? or ask a lawyer how to pore concreate..I don't think so....a tech who dos'nt know how to weld won't just grab a welder & strike a arc...he or she will ask their service manager for advise... however if you where under warranty the part should have been replaced.....end of story....

dealer's have to have access to a welder or sublet a mobile welder company to do some recall's on certan types of veh. early dodge dakota's recall needed 2 steel tab's welded for the suspension...we did 2 here....guy's you gotta think, most of these tech's went to tech school where you learn to weld,do electrical,body work etc.some of them payed 35-40k per year to learn, so they can do what they do..would you question your dentist on how to remove a tooth? or ask a lawyer how to pore concreate..I don't think so....a tech who dos'nt know how to weld won't just grab a welder & strike a arc...he or she will ask their service manager for advise... however if you where under warranty the part should have been replaced.....end of story....

I agree, but thats a bit scary hearing that they are welding something in your vehicle.

Ace

After driving it for several days, I think something was wrong with it since day one. Going over uneven surfaces, driveway entrances at angles, bumps, anything that would cause body twisting and it does not make ANY noise at all. I was just happy to not have any creaking - this is a much appreciated bonus!

Here are pics of the magic weld location. It is the lower wheel well sheet metal, towards the front. About a 5" long weld. Pics aren't the greatest, and the undercoating hides it too...

Here is a snapshot of the drivers side (no work done) to show how the pass side looked before the seam weld...

And here is the first area they reinforced that didn't solve the creaking 100%. Sorry about the weird angle, but that was taken on my back...

I printed both these pictures out on a color printer and the side that was welded doesn't look right...

Correct me if I'm wrong ... is that rust accumulating in the area that was welded? Did they seal and repaint the well?

In addition, it appears the sheet metal is separating from the sub frame.. where exactly is this 5" bead?

I printed both these pictures out on a color printer and the side that was welded doesn't look right...

Correct me if I'm wrong ... is that rust accumulating in the area that was welded? Did they seal and repaint the well?

In addition, it appears the sheet metal is separating from the sub frame.. where exactly is this 5" bead?

I'll try to clean the area (that's dirt that appears like rust) and take another shot tomorrow. The 5" repair weld is in the lower curved section of the sheet metal that curves out away from the vehicle. I'll try to get a shot of that spot from the bottom (the angle in the pic makes it look like it's separating from the frame, I think...).

I'll try to clean the area (that's dirt that appears like rust) and take another shot tomorrow. The 5" repair weld is in the lower curved section of the sheet metal that curves out away from the vehicle. I'll try to get a shot of that spot from the bottom (the angle in the pic makes it look like it's separating from the frame, I think...).
Thanks.
Are you still squeak free?
BTW, I like Viper Dan having a welder nearby, never know what I may need him to do at the dealer.
Bill

I printed both these pictures out on a color printer and the side that was welded doesn't look right...

Correct me if I'm wrong ... is that rust accumulating in the area that was welded? Did they seal and repaint the well?

In addition, it appears the sheet metal is separating from the sub frame.. where exactly is this 5" bead?

Here's two more shots after wiping the area to remove the dirt. A lot of the gray specs and detail loss was after resizing... The second shot is more from underneath, showing how that area curves away from the frame.

Thanks.
Are you still squeak free?
BTW, I like Viper Dan having a welder nearby, never know what I may need him to do at the dealer.
Bill

BB,
It's like someone dipped the rear of the vehicle in epoxy. Still squeak free and solid. Guess I bought a Friday vehicle, as everyone else have had their creaking resolved with the updated spring isolators.

BB,
It's like someone dipped the rear of the vehicle in epoxy. Still squeak free and solid. Guess I bought a Friday vehicle, as everyone else have had their creaking resolved with the updated spring isolators.
Looks like they did a good job.
Nice to find someone at a dealer that gives a chit.
Thanks for the update...it may help someone else with those issues.
Bill