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-   -   Steering Box Bolts Sheared Off!!! (https://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=107124)

Roler 12-04-2016 11:52 AM

AWG, in the past I have verified with Jeep regarding this recall on two separate occasions. They ran my VIN and it came up with all the recalls on it's history. All had been done (airbag module, fuel pump thing etc, I think there have been 4 or so, I posted the link to the recalls some time ago actually). No outstanding recall on my VIN for the steering box issue. When I asked as to why, I was explained that not every batch during those years must have been affected. Since all the other recall jobs had been done as should be and ticked off, I tend to lean towards "believing" they might be right. Back then, I also had my mech look at the area of concern, he could not identify any cracks or things that would relate to it.

If on inspection (that would be the first step in recall) there seems to be no issue, however your VIN falls in the affected batch, (if I recall correctly) the recall still entailed reinforcing with welding work. If definitely cracks, then a supporting plate/brace had to be put in. So the recall would have 2 outcomes, both involving work on it, so should be 'visible' to some degree. However, if your VIN, like mine, does not pop up for this, then it will likely be impossible to get this done under recall excuse, but will be up to you whether you'd like to install another bracket/plate anyway...

Recalls don't 'expire'...Companies don't like recalls, for many reasons. And dealers dont like recall work either. However the foresight of being involved in lawsuits for malpractice and multimillion $ payouts if it turns out that Jeep/Dealer has been negligent in regards to this with bodily harm or death as a result, makes the $ involved for recalls futile.

In the end, if you feel unhappy/unsafe with this, go for that sturdy aftermarket bracket thing and drive around reassured that it wont break off.

awg 12-04-2016 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard buttocks (Post 1573770)
have the bolts broken?
has the chassis cracked?

doesnt look like it, so they wont fix it.

simple stuff.


Dear Mr Buttocks,

I concur with your remarks.


After a second more thorough inspection, I am reasonably satisfied that no cracking or deformation is present atm, regular inspections will be done.


@waybackwen...your bolts are broken, you could TRY Jeep Oz, on the 1300 number, or via email.

Checking the Product Recall Statements wording, they only need to rectify a fault, so if no cracking was present, nothing was done (by my reading)

The first product recall is for loose bolts, so same thing.

Whether bolts breaking after 20 years would be covered, I have no idea, other than to say, it would surprise me if the parent company would accept any liability, if there was any legal way out of it...(there are fairly recent posts on here that state they did though..)

I guess only a court case would decide for sure!

The PRS link is in this thread, and post #86 is very informative too.

breakage or reinforcement of Steering parts is not unknown with other makes too, especially when off-road, and/or with big wheels, my vehicle appears to have been stock all its life

bleetnblurt 13-04-2016 10:54 AM

did anyone mention that the threads in the steering box that the bolts go into can wear and can cause the bolts to become loose ?
and no matter how hard you tighten they will always (after time) loosen
to really think if you own a 4x4 of any kind should one do a check every now and then on systems , and didn't you feel there was something wrong ? such as creaks and groans when steering ? I have even seen where even though the bracket is in place but the threads do not hold well where people hit the box with a mig or stick weld. and have also seen where they have broken due to these bolts become loose , and not just on jeeps alone. (early model hi lux were a real good one for chassis break or crack)

layback40 12-08-2017 10:12 PM

Well it happened to me today.
All 3 broke when I was about 35km from home. Lucky I was able to take quiet back roads home. 30km/hr at best. Had to get out & twist wheels around to go around corners.
The 2 bottom ones were easy to get the broken bits out. Having to remove the box to get the top one out.

awg 10-07-2018 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40 (Post 1617254)
Well it happened to me today.
All 3 broke when I was about 35km from home. Lucky I was able to take quiet back roads home. 30km/hr at best. Had to get out & twist wheels around to go around corners.
The 2 bottom ones were easy to get the broken bits out. Having to remove the box to get the top one out.

came across a bloke today, early post update XJ, nose against barrier, blocking traffic

busted all 3 bolts,,,BUT he had a snapped one in the cabin, had a wheel alignment done recently, and the "mechanic" said "it wasnt important"

no recall sticker in the doors, (mine has this)

I told him to get it towed the the local Jeep dealer, and see if it was attended under recall

when I drove back, a couple of hrs later, he was still waiting, had rung Jeep, who told him their had never been a safety recall on this

I advised him they were almost certainly lying, and to get his VIN checked, and see if Jeep will come to party at all

couldnt see too good, as he still had the bash plate on, but the frame looked okay, spacer had dropped down

eksjay 10-07-2018 04:43 PM

I can see a large portion of my steering box and the piping which appears to be covered in what looks like rusted on stains. The whole thing looks rusted over.

What is the lifespan of the steering box if my car is approaching 23 yo [XJ Sport 95]?

I am considering replacing the OEM unit maybe with a PSC after market unit. Will I need to replace the metal plates or whatever was added by the steeler as part of the recall to strengthen the chassis?

HamishW96 10-07-2018 06:58 PM

Checked my Vin on this, and apparently my car had the recall done... Any way to make sure this doesn't happen?

rustynuts 10-07-2018 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamishW96 (Post 1636586)
Checked my Vin on this, and apparently my car had the recall done... Any way to make sure this doesn't happen?

https://www.ironman4x4fab.com/produc...-shaft-support

Get this.

awg 10-07-2018 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamishW96 (Post 1636586)
Any way to make sure this doesn't happen?

based mainly on my inspection of the one broken bolt..

it showed classic fatigue crack, half the snapped fastener surface was brown, the other shiny metal...this means the crack had been developing for some time

I suspect a proper inspection would reveal fatigue cracks, so removing and inspecting one at a time..under magnify and bright light

it would then make more sense to just replace them with new Grade 8 bolts, if they are readily available??

I asked the fellow if he had noticed any sloppiness in steering beforehand,
(as he already had a broken bolt), and he admitted he had

however, as noted by others all 3 bolts can snap at once

can anyone state the thread size and length?..I'm sure its here somewhere

I can call a Fastener Specialist that is local to me

noted in this thread a poster put longer bolts with nuts, cant see any advantage with using nuts

adding a couple of plates outside the chassis to distribute flex would help

that item listed in previous post looks effective

from another forum via google

"7/16-14UNC x 3.75" LG.

Although the bolt measures 4" Lg. the threads clearly stop at 3.75" and the remaining 1/4" is an undersized point for install alignment. Maybe this will help someone in the future. "


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