The problem was noticed a while back on the driver side, but I did not think much about it at the time. Then I saw the passenger side just this morning. I figured they were independant events, but I could not tell, until I slid underneath.

The passenger side was definately impact related. I had to have run over something because I can see various scrapes from the front of the skid plate right to the step. That would explain the crack. Too bad that is not the one that concerns me. The driver side has ZERO signs or impact or debris. What I do see and think happened is what a few of you have already said. The tech who lifted the vehicle spread the arms out and lifted by the step mount and not the frame. It is clear that the rear driver side mount is bent up and back.

My dealer (who is the only one to touch it so far) is not open today, so I have to wait until tomorrow. I feel that they will never admit to this being a possibility, but we will see. Whatever they determine, I will need in writing with an estimate for repair. If the dealer or my insurance cover a repair, great. Otherwise I think it will be time to take the steps off an make it a true JEEP and hit the offroad. No more concerns over minor body damage!!

 

Looks like a good reason to get some rock rails

 

Looks like you hit the curb one to many times!!!!!!

 

I don't think that the mechanic placed the lift under the side steps. I'm inclined to believe that he didn't get them centered on the frame rails and your Jeep slipped, dropping onto the side step.

I worked summers at a Dodge dealer (1970-71) here on Long Island. I saw several cars/trucks slip on a lift. Not fall off to the floor, but slide off the frame rails. Damage always resulted, but it's unlikely the owner would notice immediately. The Dodge dealer was honest, and told the customer and repaired the vehicles (they are insured for just such mishaps).


My regards,

Widewing

 

what everyone said before. the step is the least of your worries, I would be worried about the body

 

Get some rockrails on that sucker. if youre gonna wheel at all those steps are only gonna be a headache anyway. id recommend the shrockworks.

and dont sweat it saharas look great w/ a little bit of damage on 'em.

 

I too had some Sahara side step carnage after an off-road adventure. Fortunately for me I popped the retaining screws before the plastic cracked. I got a dent just below the doors, however, where the side step flexed up and impacted the metal. Time for Rock rails I think.

 

I just hope the dealer stands behind the body damage, otherwise it will fall on you. Knowing the Service Department as I do, they will refer you to a body shop and disallow the damage under warranty.
Either way best of luck!!

 

That pretty much bites...certainly makes it easier to go have some real fun. Good luck with the dealer.

 

UPDATE!

I took it to the dealer this afternoon to see what they thought would cause it. The first guy I spoke with said extreme off-roading would cause this. If I hit a rock, I would not even know it.

I totally disagree. If there is a "rock" that would bend a metal bracket and damage the bottom of the body frame, I think I would feel it. Whatever! I then ask if there is a way that it may have been lifted wrong or fallen off the lift, as others have mentioned. He immediately said no way, not possible. I asked him to speak with someone in the back who actually works on the vehicles. So, he called the guy out.

The service tech looks at it and first thing out of his mouth "It was lifted wrong" Just as we all thought! Well, after further discussion he determined it could not have happened there, as they would never lift in a way to cause damage. I would hope that to be true.

Then they give me a whole story of how it is just the bracket that is bent and that replacing (or bending it back) would relieve the pressure on the body and it will bend right back. They claim it was plastic. Make sense, but that is the strongest plastic I have ever seen! It is not plastic, it is metal! I tried explaining, but they would not listen. So, I told them I would remove the sidestep this evening and "watch it pop back into place." Then I would replace the bracket or get rocker guards. They then offered to sell me some take off rocker guards, which I am considering. Unfortunately the metal did not "pop back into place." There is still a bent body part. While underneath removing the parts, I noticed two places that have gouges, in line with where the arms of a lift would be. They run perpendicular to the body, not parrallel as if I ran over something. I will ask them to look closely at the marks and lift the jeep to see where the marks would line up. I think they know it could have been their fault, but would never admit to it.

It will be back to the dealer tomorrow to show them the body and see if they can magically fit the rocker bars or get it back to shape. I know that they will just recommend me going to a body shop, but that does not solve the issue of how it happened!

If I can get the rocker guards to fit, then I will stop this argument and I will let it go. Otherwise, I will get an estimate and file an insurance claim. Unfortunately I will have to fight with them, saying it was not an offroading accident.

More to be posted tomorrow.

Jeff