Hi all,

Just got my 14 JKUR from Carmax (w00t!) and it came with a mystery spare bumper. I think it may be a Smittybilt. Well, the latch on it is failing and popping open while driving! The other night the tire carrier swung all the way open, broke its detent pin, and slammed into the side of my Jeep. Holy pissed off!

I'm trying to discover why it's opening and how to fix it. There is a locking pin, but the latch actually almost fully opens even with the pin in. I've attached photos to show how much travel there is while the pin can remain in the locking hole.

One thing I did was to adjust the bumpstop tensioner to push against the tire carrier a bit less, which lets the latch close more fully. However it also allows for more travel and will be noisier on the road and especially the trail.

I also loosened the mounting hardware for the latch and the receptacle for the latch (I don't know the term for this, like a striker plate) and tried to move them a bit closer.

Anyone have this issue or know how to resolve it?

Thanks!

 

I'm not familiar with the bumper but I think the best bet would be to completely remove existing latch and go to hardware store and try to find a more secure, new latch mechanism. I bet a good one could be found online- preferably one win same bolting pattern so you could re use the same holes

 

Looks like Rugged Ridge rear bumper in the textured black finish

 

Yea definatly looks like the rugged ridge xhd rear bumper with first generation tire carrier. You may be able to order replacement parts from them

 

yup Rugged Ridge.

Adjusted and modified mine numerous times before giving up. I got the Teraflex tire carrier and kept the bumper. Much happier.

 

It looks like if the latch pats were closer together maybe it would stay hooked. Loosen the parts and push them together. Maybe wallow out the holes a bit.

Seems a shame to throw it out just because the latch needs adjustment.

 

I have the same rear and you have to adjust it a bunch to get it right. Loosen the 2 bolts on the catch and the 4 on the latch and move them as close together as you can. You can also adjust the height of them as well to keep the carrier from bouncing up and down. I run a 37 on mine and it hasnt given me any real trouble, just some noise.

 

Is Rugged Ridge and Smittybilt the same? I have Smittybilt bumpers and the powder coat is EXACTLY the same. My Smittys fit perfectly though. Not bad stuff for cheap Chinese.

To the original poster... I'd be more pissed that I had a CarMax tattoo on my paint!

 

Ahaha yes the carmax decal is definitely on the list for removal!!

And I think you're all correct, after comparing it to Rugged Ridge it looks like a match. I have already done what you've all suggested and loosened the catch and latch and tried to adjust them closer. In conjunction with adjusting the bumpstop, it seems to have worked... so far. I just don't trust it. Honestly I think a larger pin would ease my mind. I'll try to contact Rugged Ridge to see what they suggest, but would anyone be able to point me toward a place to get a replacement pin like that? I'm not sure how to describe it to even start a google search successfully :\

 

Just opened a support ticket with Rugged Ridge. Hopefully they respond in short order. The thing that concerns me is that if someone were walking on the side of the road when this happened, they'd likely have been killed. This can't be left to chance. I'll have the carrier secured in the mean time.