Help me save my 07 KJ

[Jkarr86]

Several issues with my jeep that need resolved was hoping you guys and gals could help.

2007 Jeep KJ Sport
117,000 miles


First Issue
This biggest issue I have now is an intermittent vibration which has been going on for almost a year. Some days it is fine other days it shakes so violently you have to pull over.

The jeep has brand new tires with around 10k miles on them and were just rotated and balanced yesterday at discount tire. The issue was also going on before I got the new tires. The passenger side cv shaft was also replaced and to be honest I'm pretty sure it was doing this before I got it replaced.

Ive crawled under the jeep and nothing screams issue to me. The one thing I have noticed is that when it gets really bad and you park it, you can smell that clutch like burning smell. Friction material. Ive also noticed that if you touch the rims one will also be significantly hotter than the other which leads me to believe the calipers are sticking ever so slightly. it has done it on more than one rim. What type of signs would I see on the rotors themselves to show that they are overheating.

I have been tempted to get a laser temp gun to monitor the temps. What would be an average brake temp for normal everyday driving? Anything else to check out????


Second Issue

Starting to develop rust underneath the doors. Don't have a lot of money to spend and was hoping someone could recommend a product to slow the rust down?

I was also going to get a wire brush or dremel and try and grind some away if possible.



Third Thing


Any Preventive maintenance related things I should look at. I was thinking change the differential fluid. The water pump is leaking so the coolant will be new as well.

 

[tommudd]

Vibration
Have you checked the rear joints good? They may feel tight to the touch but could be rusted solid.
Also rear CV on the front driveshaft, boot deteriorates, CV gets dirt inside, grease goes and you have a vibration issue
When front right CV was replaced did they replace the intermediate as well ? If not the splines could be worn and there lies the problem
Start with those and let us know.
As far as rust, sand good and use your choice of rust preventer/ dissolver

 

[Jkarr86]

thanks for the response tommudd

CARQUEST CV Shafts New CV Axle Shaft Assembly NCV82015: Advance Auto Parts. Don't think it was carquest brand but you get the picture and I did get it at advanced.

Also the rotors do pulsate some when you brake some days. Seems to be worse when the jeep is acting up. Come to think of it I think the issue started happening after the CV was replaced.

 

[tommudd]

thanks for the response tommudd

CARQUEST CV Shafts New CV Axle Shaft Assembly NCV82015: Advance Auto Parts. Don't think it was carquest brand but you get the picture and I did get it at advanced.

Also the rotors do pulsate some when you brake some days. Seems to be worse when the jeep is acting up. Come to think of it I think the issue started happening after the CV was replaced.

Those CVs are known to be too short
We only use NAPA remanned units and never have an issue
Hopefully someone measured it before it went in against the old one to make sure

But since you think you had the issue before then have you checked other front end parts for wear?

 

[Jkarr86]

You know whats funny is that you are not the first person to tell me about the CVS being to short. Honestly its been doing this so long I can't remember when it even started. I want to say after the cv was put in it started doing it. (Pretty positive on this. Also had the front brakes done as well)

I don't think it started doing it right away. Maybe a month or so after. Noticed it on a vacation trip and had to limp it along at 60mph. Also seems like higher speeds affect it. Does it at 55mph now as well.

 

[smittyfromPA]

Second Issue

Starting to develop rust underneath the doors. Don't have a lot of money to spend and was hoping someone could recommend a product to slow the rust down?

I was also going to get a wire brush or dremel and try and grind some away if possible.

I have rust on the bottom of my doors, inside only so far. I'm going to use a POR15 kit i bought when I have the time to apply it properly. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Jkarr86]

yes please do. I picked up a can of rust remover from the parts store up the street. Im going to hold off a bit.

New cv at napa is 78 bucks. Im tempted to try that.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Reman is better than new...

 

[Jkarr86]

what makes you say that?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

what makes you say that?

Remans are actually CV's from a Liberty that have been refurbished so they are the original length. New CV's have poor quality control and are typically made too short.

As for the vibration... You mentioned the vibration is so bad you have to pull over and one or more wheels are hot. Sounds to me like your ABS and/or EAS system is misbehaving and intermittently engaging the brakes. Do you notice any lights blinking or staying lit on the dash? Even if not I'd take it to a reputable mechanic to see if the system is setting any codes relating to your ABS system.

Bob

 

[Jkarr86]

no codes and the weird thing is is doesn't feel like the brakes are engaged or stuck. I had a grand cherokee years ago where the rear calipers would lock up and boy what a smoke show that was.

Im thinking I may try the Remanufactured cv shaft from napa. it was 56 bucks.

 

[Birdman330]

Remans are actually CV's from a Liberty that have been refurbished so they are the original length. New CV's have poor quality control and are typically made too short.

As for the vibration... You mentioned the vibration is so bad you have to pull over and one or more wheels are hot. Sounds to me like your ABS and/or EAS system is misbehaving and intermittently engaging the brakes. Do you notice any lights blinking or staying lit on the dash? Even if not I'd take it to a reputable mechanic to see if the system is setting any codes relating to your ABS system.

Bob

The issue with brakes, ABS TCS systems on the 07's are different compared to what 06' and older are. Since the 07's are drive by wire, if the brakes are held while the accelerator is being pressed it triggers the Throttle Body warning light and will kill the engine if its an automatic. Being a manual it just does a rolling jump start. So if the brakes were acting up and engaging it would send a warning to the Throttle Body unit and shut down his Libby. This has actually lead me to believe I may not have needed to replace my Throttle Body in the first place when I was having ABS issues with my Sensor going bad. Since when the ABS triggered and flashed, my TB warning light came on. If he has a bad CV Shaft which I believe is the case here, that would cause tremendous amounts of heat from the hub making one think its the brakes if he has no grease and the shaft is rusted.

 

[Jbergun]

For preventative measures i would paint the entire undercarriage. I did this with a rattle can and a quart of rustoleum paint. It is really easy and just takes a time. I figure at the least the rust will be prevented until the paint starts chipping away. I do this once a year.