Im sure if you weld it up or have someone do it for you, it will be stronger then stock if all sides where it touches the axle get welded, and maybe even add some metal to brace it up.
Even if you dont weld or know someone that does, It shouldnt cost that much to have a shop do it for ya.

 

This is a big problem with bolting a bracket to the axle. The increased leverage created is too much for the OE bracket on the axle. Never install a trackbar bracket on the axle for anything you plan to take offroad. You got lucky you did not do more damage.
I would call Skyjacker and let them know what happened as a result of the design.

 

Doesn't the fact that the weld on one side was bad shed some responsibility back to Jeep. I have not heard of anyone else having this problem with the Skyjacker kit. If anyone has let me know before I call Skyjacker.

 

In a former life, I was a contract negotiator and administrator for a fortune 100 company. As such, I am very familiar with the UCC and Magnuson-Moss. Long story short, the Act precludes just what your dealer is saying. Your dealer (or DC) must prove that your modifications caused the problem. It's usually cheaper for the manufacturer to repair the problem than to do the engineering as well as go through the litigation that would be required to deny your claim. Stick to your guns and escalate the issue to someone who knows what Magnuson-Moss entails. Finally, by the dealer denying your claim, he exposes DC to litigation under the act.

 

Yours is the 3rd I have heard of on a JK. 1 on the rear bracket, and 1 on the front. Both had "riser" brackets. I saw pictures of them, so it's not just rumor.

 

Can you post some pics?

 

Simple way to stop this from happening is to put a brace from the pumkin to the bracket. this will hold the forces pulling against it. This should be done whether you use a bracket or not.

 

No lift yet for me but if no one minds two cents from an engineering standpoint.
-On this vehicle in this circumstance additional dynamic loading on the frame would be preferred rather than to the bracket on the axle housing.
-Any weld anywhere is only prequalified for the mass of material being welded. eg. more load needs more metal in addition to more weld
-The failure of the component was not the result of it being used in the manner it was designed or approved for.

Go after them though,you don't get if you don't try. But this is the reason I won't due any mods. to any drivetrain related components until my extended warranty expires. As a first model year they'll be extra vigilant to snake out of paying for anything remotely close to a design flaw at their end.
Sorry

 

Here's an angle for you and others that might end up in the same boat.
You say the dealer sells Jeeps with this lift already done by the same shop.

Does the dealer offer a full manufacturers warranty if it's done through the dealership prior to delivery to customer?

If not do they offer a third party warranty?

Check with an owner of one and ask or get a buddy to go in and make like he wants to buy one.
If it's third party It's probably not worth the paper it's written on.
If It's manufacturers then you may have a reasonable argument.

 

Like I have said previously. They sell lifted jeeps also. 4 Wheel Parts does their lifts. 4 Wheel Parts did mine. The exact same lift they put on mine. The service manager said we they have problems with those, the dealership pays to fix them. I don't believe that for a second. The few hundred dollars they charge above the real cost is not enough to assume the responsibility.