JDMCQ's Garage

Meh

 

It's not here for you.

 

Got my JCR sliders back from powder coat today.

 

Drivers side went with little issue, though the pinch weld bolts JCR provides are too short for the front-most holes.

 

Then we got to the passenger side.


What's left of the front body mount bolt.

 

Heard from the dealership today. The service writer told me that my body mount bolt was broken. As the broken bolt was on the passenger seat, I was not surprised. She then told me that I would have to take the Jeep to a body shop to have the bolt removed and nut rewelded to the body. She said that the bolt was installed cross threaded and was not a warranty issue. I told her that if it was cross threaded, it was done on the assembly line. Hardly my fault. She passed me on to the service manager, to whom I told the whole story. I explained that I never got the bolt out. That it broke very easily and that one could see the counter-clockwise twist on the bolt showing which direction I was turning it. He's calling corporate.

I really do not want to fight with anyone on this. The purchasing experience was bad enough. I don't have the patience for poor customer service.

 

Made an appointment for a Saturday morning Drove 100 miles to the dealership. They brought out the wrong car. When I pointed it out, they realized their mistake and informed me that my car was another of their stores and a salesman was showing it that morning. After it was determined that the vehicle was still available, I told them that if the numbers worked out, I'd drive it home. I still hadn't seen it, but it had all the options I wanted and I'd already driven two other JLURs. I was told it would be there in 90 minutes.

Trade discussion went fine. Price was decent. Less than if I sold privately, but still decent.

Moved to the finance office and things went to shit. While they honored the pre-negotiated price (5% below invoice), I expressed via email concern with the money factor and some other fees. I was assured it would not be a problem and they would get me what I needed. That was not the case. There were fees, I was told would be waived. The money factor was standard and higher than I'd been quoted at my local dealer. I walked away from the table three times. 4 hours in now, my Jeep still hadn't shown up. They gave a little, I gave a little. Not the deal I wanted, but OK.

Meanwhile, my wife had been visiting an Aunt local to the dealership. I dropped her off that morning with the thoughts that I would be back in two hours to get her. We were close to 5 hours now. My Jeep still hadn't arrived.

I finally told them I was leaving in the 4Runner to get her. As I was leaving, my Jeep pulled in. I was told it would be ready when I got back. It wasn't. Waited 30 minutes after bringing my wife back for it to get prepped. 6 hours in now and I still had to drive 100 miles home. I was in a less than friendly mood.

Jeep comes around. I walk outside take the key from the salesman. He asks if I want to go over the features of the Jeep. I declined, saying I wanted to go home and I would figure it out myself.

Over 6 hours. I should have walked away, gone to another dealership and ordered a new one. But I didn't. I do love this Jeep, I just wish it hasn't been such a trying experience form the start.

 

My experience was a bit different with some similar elements as my local jeep dealer gave me a #@$% experience. Stingy with the jeep brochure, minimal discount off retail, then terrible on the trade. Offered 7k on my trade and then suggested I go to CarMax a few blocks away as they might offer more then come back. Reluctantly went to CarMax and in twenty minutes as advertised I had a check for 3k more with no pressure to buy. I did some research online and found my JK at Koons in Va, made a super deal below invoice which then triggered a similar roadtrip. Everything was smooth and fine until I met the finance guy who badgered me for not buying an extended warranty or finance with him. The roadtrip home with the JK was incredible as I've been away from Wranglers way too long.

 

I should have gone to Koons and ordered. I went to Darcars in Rockville, MD, about 20 minutes from Koons only because they had what I wanted in stock.

 

Hope things work out for you getting the dealership to replace the bolt. The job is a PIA and spendy if out-of-pocket. Just in case you have to remove it yourself some options are to drill it out, ez-outs, dremel a slot, welding, cutting a access hole etc. Once its out put some anti-seize in there.

 

If they don't fix it, drill out the bolt and re-thread the nut.

 

She said the clip is broken and the nut is spinning freely

It will need to be cut open I fear.

 

More reason to believe the nut was welded in poorly and cross-threaded.

 

A heavy punch and big hammer and smack it through. Then use an expanding threaded insert for the next bolt. Just trying not to cut sheet metal.

 

A great idea, but then I have a nut and shaft rattling around in the space. I don't see a way to get the broken pieces out.