Dealer Woes...

[jfortier777]

Well, I won't bore you all with the specifics of the situation but allow me to give you a brief overview.

Something is wrong with my front end, and because I am not an experienced mechanic I can only make educated guesses as to the problem.

SYMPTOMS:
-front left wheel and tire wobbles slightly proportional to speed
-under compression with front driver axle spinning I hear a mild grinding sound
-brake fluid was Very low
-there was something (presumably oil) all over the driver side of my front differential

I was due for an oil change at the dealer, so I took it in and had the oil changed and asked one of the guys to check everything out while he was up there. He recommended that I leave it for the service guys to look at, so I did.

End Result: (As close to quoting these guys as I can recall) From yesterday

Service tech: You're all set.
Me: What was the problem?
Service tech: It was just a little spilled oil from your oil change.
Me: But I saw it there yesterday?
Service tech: Oh, I didn't mean today, it was from your last oil change.
Me: But it wasn't there last week when I was working on it.
Service tech: Yeah, don't worry about anything, its just from your last oil change.
Me: But it wasn't there last week?!
Service tech: Its nothing serious, just a little spilled oil sir, nothing to worry about.
Me: Well what about my brake fluid. Brake fluid doesn't get used up so how did it end up almost empty?
Service tech: It was just spilled oil, not brake fluid.
Service tech: You really need to be careful with your modifications, you know you just might void your warrenty.
Me: Excuse me?
Service tech: We cleaned off the oil, and inspected the rest of the front end, and your vehicle is in perfect condition. Have a nice day.
Me: *walked away*

So in conclusion I am kind of wondering what to do now, the dealer is playing dirty and threatening my warranty.

Mostly I am just wondering what kind of responses you guys have gotten from dealers with your lifts and tires on. Also, any kind of advice for the situation would be great too.

 

[Bennett]

omg I would have flipped out... (not kidding) lol...

I can't believe they said that to you.

I just brought mine in the other day, and they did not say anything... although I don't have warranty anymore.

Bennett

 

[jfortier777]

I pride myself in my ability to remain composed in extravagent situations.

Although that may be a two-edged sword because it seems like the people who scream their heads off at the dealer get the best service.

 

[JimKJ]

From the what you typed the conversation, it almost seemed to me that they might have found a brake line leak, fixed it, but didn't want to admit that was the problem.

The only reasons I can think of for them not telling you is that:

a) They screwed something up and are covering up for themselves

b) The problem was caused by your mods, but they didn't want to say that so Jeep would cover the work under warranty and/or future warranty work won't be affected

If it's (b), then count yourself lucky.

 

[grogiefrog]

Wow... some story. Yeah, just go with it unless it happens again.

 

[2003KJ]

That guy would have been pounded into the ground had it been me.

As for the slightly wobbling wheel, at first I was thinking tire out of balance. But you mentioned you hear a slight grinding when the wheel is turning in air, that red flagged LOWER BALL JOINT. I'd SERIOUSLY have it checked by ANOTHER DEALER who cares more about the customer and their safety than the money. If that thing were to let go and you're on the highway, all I can say is hang on for the ride and pray till you can't pray anymore!

 

[jfortier777]

Well I don't claim to be a mechanic, but under normal conditions you are EXTREMELY unlikely to experience ball joint failure while cruising on the highway.
If its going to fail it will be when your wheels are moving around alot, IE: hard turning, steep driveways, excessively bumpy roads, and of course the crowd favorite; wheelin'.

I took some time to sit down with my brother today and take a closer look at everything...

The LBJs seem to be in very good condition; however, the UBJs on both sides are fairly loose and VERY noisy when playing with the wheel while jacked up. They are within save ranges but the noise is well above acceptable.

Oh well, Looks like interesting things in my future.

 

[2003KJ]

from what ive heard, just about every single one thats let go on a KJ has let go whenever it wants...some have been in motion, others lucky and sitting still.

 

[Eddo]

.

SYMPTOMS:
-front left wheel and tire wobbles slightly proportional to speed
-under compression with front driver axle spinning I hear a mild grinding sound
-brake fluid was Very low
-there was something (presumably oil) all over the driver side of my front differential

Honestly it sounds like a wheel balance issue for the wobble.
The grinding could very will be just normal noise when the front axle is engaged in 4wd. Every Jeep I've owned made a little more noise from the front when engaged in 4wd
I'm not sure about the brake fluid. However, brake fluid does get lower as the brake wear though. Plus they sometimes don't fill the fluid up to the max line on a factory fill.
Oil on the differential is probably from an oil change. When changing the oil filter it is almost impossible not to spill oil on the front differential.

Also "slight grinding when the wheel is turning in air, that red flagged LOWER BALL JOINT." That is NOT a ball joint. Ball joints will make a poping or knocking sound when going over bumps. That grinding sound is most likely the brakes. They are metallic pads and do make noise. Mine do the exact same thing and it is not my ball joints. Wheel bearing can make a slight griding or rumbling noise when they start go bad, but then you usually need to put a load on them. Not spinning in the air.

Your KJ sounds fine to me, however if you say the UBJ are loss you might want to look into it a little more. Ball joints can fail just about anywhere though. There are some pretty big pot holes even on the best of freeways.

Finally, I know dealers can be a problem, but it doesnt sound like they threatened your warranty. The service adviser said just be careful.

 

[jfortier777]

Finally, I know dealers can be a problem, but it doesnt sound like they threatened your warranty. The service adviser said just be careful.

I guess it was something you had to be there to hear in his tone of voice.

I checked in the engine compartment and I see where the oil filter is now, so that might be the reason. In fact I might just plain agree with you on that one.

The UBJs are deffinetly making noise and that is confirmed 100% LBJs are beautifull.

I saw today that my driver side wheel well was dangling; who knows how long, so I can attribute the grinding sound to that. (ripped out the christmas trees with my tire I guess.

So it seems that all of my other problems have been isolated and taken care of except the UBJs. I guess that will be a few weekday projects to check them really close and determined a fix.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, its nice to have such a large group of people with good taste in vehicles....lol.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

What dealer / who did you talk to?