B-pillar cracks

[g23.40sw]

Seeking wisdom and advise from the collective that is the Portal. 2000 DII, there has been a rattle coming from the upper seatbelt area that has been getting worse over the past 6 months. After countless attempts to stop it, meaning checking the adjustment slider, checking the bolts that hold the seatbelt in, and all the trim pieces, I saw this the other day. Two cracks in the B-pillar, on the drivers side both front and rear doors about half way up/down. I have done a google search and only come up with photos of another DII where the pillar was cracked up near the the rain gutter. looks like a good tig welder would be in order. I'm in the Denver area so if you have any thoughts or suggestions, they would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[adrenaline503]

Holy crap!! Is that due to the body flexing?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Yeah, something doesn't seem right. What's the history of that truck? Bought used? Every been hit on the side? Heavy roof rack?

 

[adrenaline503]

I have seen cracks like that on Cherokees before but never a body on frame. Okay, let me rephrase that. Never on a body on frame without an interesting story behind it.

 

[g23.40sw]

Bought used fall 08, in great shape. As far as crash and rack, never had either as far as I know. Purchased from a reputable mechanic in the area who had been maintaining it for quite some time. Was a daily driver, mostly highway, never off road until I got it. It hasn't been abused as its also my daily driver. If the cracks were there then my taking it off road may have simply made it worse. I am really anal when it comes to squeaks, rattles and other noises in a car. The noise/rattle has gotten progressively worse.

 

[adrenaline503]

Bought used fall 08, in great shape. As far as crash and rack, never had either as far as I know. Purchased from a reputable mechanic in the area who had been maintaining it for quite some time. Was a daily driver, mostly highway, never off road until I got it. It hasn't been abused as its also my daily driver. If the cracks were there then my taking it off road may have simply made it worse. I am really anal when it comes to squeaks, rattles and other noises in a car. The noise/rattle has gotten progressively worse.

Can you tell if there is rust in the pillar? Some sort of internal weakening?

 

[g23.40sw]

Everything looks in good order. Well for a 10 yr old vehicle that is. The passenger side shows no sign of flexing and is solid. I was thinking it may have been a bad piece to begin with, and over time has manifested itself. Other than that all the doors and paint looks original, which is why I would say no accident, and there are no marks or deformation on the rain gutter from any rack. Also no rust in the pillar front what I can see.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Something about it doesn't look right. The way the black paint appears to have been masked where it borders onto the white. I haven't looked closely at mine, but I'd expect that to be a crisper line from the factory. Also in the second photo, there appears to be a witness mark from something rubbing on the pillar? There's a small teardrop shaped mark in the paint just above and to the right of the crack.

 

[adrenaline503]

Something about it doesn't look right. The way the black paint appears to have been masked where it borders onto the white. I haven't looked closely at mine, but I'd expect that to be a crisper line from the factory. Also in the second photo, there appears to be a witness mark from something rubbing on the pillar? There's a small teardrop shaped mark in the paint just above and to the right of the crack.

I was thinking the same thing. That teardrop mark looks odd. Almost like a spot weld. The paint looks pretty sketchy. Have you pulled the seals and panels from the other pillars and checked for cracks?

 

[g23.40sw]

Rob, good eye. The tear drop shaped mark is from exterior trim piece that goes along the exterior of the window then wraps around the door and tucks in to the interior window trim piece. When I bought this that little piece had come loose and would fold up when the door would close. As for the paint line the passenger side is a cleaner line but again the pillar is welded in place top and bottom. I have cleaned up minor rust and painted also, this wasn't me though.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Is that black overspray speckles on the white paint in the first photo? And a black line on the beige trim, is that shadow or paint?

Just trying to help solve the mystery. I've never heard of this cracking before, so I'm thinking the truck has been hit on the side.

 

[Schattenjager]

I know this clown and have seen his disco - the cracks are impressive. Your finger will catch on the separation made by them. While I have not gone over it with a fine tooth comb, there is no uber obvious indicator (overspray, color mis-match, rough paint etc.) of a collision. The doors seem to open and close just fine and it tracks well. It might be interesting to see what a body shop has to say.

 

[SeaRubi]

oh nooo ... more LC Love for Disco :friday: haha Just kidding!

I'd have them welded up and pretend they're not there. Why? Because next thing you know, there will be a bajillion a$$hats all telling people not to buy DII's because they have a problem with cracking in the B-Pillar. And they know it's true, because they read it on the internet. Grrr! I'm ready for the first one. When I see 'em - I'm crackin' down. :26_7_2:

 

[g23.40sw]

CLOWN....CLOWN....well when you're right you're right. Anywho I agree with just fixin it and calling it good. Anyone now a good body shop in the Denver area?

 

[proper4wd]

That vehicle has definitely been sprayed on that side, and has definitely had the doors off (marks on the hinge bolts and surrounding area). In my opinion, it has had major structural bodywork done that was obviously not up to par. I would CarFax the vehicle immediately and have it looked at by a reputable bodyshop. This is not normal and is not a Land Rover problem; this is accident damage poorly repaired.