Artemis
TJ Enthusiast
I just wonder if the massive sales were the driving force to possibly let these go until people started screaming louder and louder? Or maybe they were just cranking them out too fast? Either way, it's no excuse.
New Jeep Wrangler JL Frame Welds are Failing and Now FCA Is Issuing a Recall
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
From what I was reading FCA was blaming the issues on the new galvanized frame they're using for the JL, and that they're robots weren't setup properly for that process. Well they probably should've checked that sooner, cause now it's gonna bite them.
ohiopatriot
TJ Enthusiast
I was thinking they were Monday morning/Friday afternoon built frames.... damn slacker robots.
Well if robots get the weekend off you might be onto something there
tquig01
TJ Enthusiast
My brother in law bought one too. It also has the weld issue.the robot missed one of the welds on the front track bar by 1/16th of an inch. He is watching it and waiting to see how it is going to be addressed.
Things that historically defined a Jeep-
1. Simple , basic
2. Tough
3. Repairable
4. Affordable
5. Easy to modify
6. Versatile
7. Fun
There's more , but I hope we don't lose all that .
1. Simple , basic
2. Tough
3. Repairable
4. Affordable
5. Easy to modify
6. Versatile
7. Fun
There's more , but I hope we don't lose all that .
b0xcar
TJ Enthusiast
Bad fit ups probably. .robots only weld were they are programmed to weld with the speeds they are programmed to use.
luk4mud
TJ Enthusiast
That's true of just about any auto brand too. Historically, I might have made an exception for Toyota/ Lexus, but given all the trouble with the new Tacoma, not anymore.
The LAST model year is usually the one to buy- from a design/ build quality and price perspective. Lots of cheap JKs out there now, new or near new.
OP
Yep, no doubt. I used to have an E46 M3, and it was well known that the first 02-03 years had a lot of serious problems until they worked them out in 2004.
luk4mud
TJ Enthusiast
Ran into a guy at the mountain bike trailhead yesterday in a new JL. Absolutely beautiful, inside and out. Looks more like my wife's Lexus than an off road vehicle. WAY too pretty to take in the dirt, much less dent it up in the rocks somewhere.
OP
That's the problem with the JLs. They're so friggin' nice inside and out (and so expensive) that I wouldn't want to get it dirty at all. It's like a damn Mercedes inside. I don't want an off-road vehicle to be that nice!
The JLs are like the affordable version of a Mercedes G-Wagen.
This is almost certainly a process problem vs a design problem. There is a tool that engineers use, called a failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). In that tool, you try to list all possible failures and rank them based on their severity, probability of occurrence, and ease of prevention. On the design side, it's easy to minimize the well failure, failure mode. You design in location trabs, or other feature to ensure the party is properly positioned. You does the correct materials to ensure the welds will stick. That stuff is old hat.
Process wise, you are dealing with an entirely new assembly process. New fixtures, new parts, possibly new robots, new everything. Assembly is incredibly complex in today's automobiles. Lots of error detection and prevention going on, not to mention the design continue to get more and more complex. There are entire teams dedicated to process design. On the process side they missed something that is allowing those welds to not be correct. Its probably already corrected too. Those guys are smart, and I'm sure they figured out how to fix it.
Crappy thing for FCA is that it was probably something really simple that was just overlooked.
Process wise, you are dealing with an entirely new assembly process. New fixtures, new parts, possibly new robots, new everything. Assembly is incredibly complex in today's automobiles. Lots of error detection and prevention going on, not to mention the design continue to get more and more complex. There are entire teams dedicated to process design. On the process side they missed something that is allowing those welds to not be correct. Its probably already corrected too. Those guys are smart, and I'm sure they figured out how to fix it.
Crappy thing for FCA is that it was probably something really simple that was just overlooked.
18,000 JL frame weld defect....oh boy
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2018-jeep-wrangler-jl-frame-weld-defect/amp/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2018-jeep-wrangler-jl-frame-weld-defect/amp/
UPJOHN
TJ Enthusiast
I've been watching this couple on YouTube beating up on their JLUR.
They have a bunch of videos.
Found out who made the frame.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.freep.com/amp/1070742001
A quote from the article.
An official layoff notice to the State of Ohio has revealed when Fiat-Chrysler will begin to wind down production of the JK chassis Jeep Wrangler. Automotive news reports that Hyundai Mobis North America, a parts supplier for the Wrangler, has notified the state government that JK production will end April 7.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.freep.com/amp/1070742001
A quote from the article.
An official layoff notice to the State of Ohio has revealed when Fiat-Chrysler will begin to wind down production of the JK chassis Jeep Wrangler. Automotive news reports that Hyundai Mobis North America, a parts supplier for the Wrangler, has notified the state government that JK production will end April 7.
OP
Yes, the frames are made by Hyundai... who coincidently has been in talks to buy the Jeep brand from FCA.