mattrwinn
New Member
About a months ago I purchased a 2006 Jeep Liberty Renegade with 65K. I have previously owned a 2001 XJ, so I was happy to return to the jeeping world.
Shortly after my purchase, I started to realize a few things (What follows is a lot of research, forum reading and repairs that it seems many KJ owners have done):
1. It came with a 2.5 lift, which as many of you know (and I know now...) puts the UCA's at a horrible angle and destroys the UBJs. Dealer agreed to replace one side, but shortly there after other side became noticeably bad. Ordered and installed JBA UCAs. Easy install and solved a few noises/clunks.
2. Rear ball joint was bad too! Replaced rear tri-link assembly. Huge difference. Let me know if you want tips on the install, figured out a good solution. It involves a floor jack, a bottle jack, and a 2x4.
3. Went to get alignment. Tie rod ends seized up. Inner and outer tie rods replaced. Alignment back to spec.
4. It had goodyear MTRs with a lot of tread but they were really noisy. I have had other mud tires before, but these were crazy. Turns out they were cupped from bad suspension parts. Installed new Falken ATs (245/75/16). Super quite, great grip and do decently in the mud.
5. A TMPS failed. Went to have it replaced to find another one was cracked and about to separate. Replaced 3 out of 4.
6. Two days after replacing TMPS... TMPS light starts dinging and flashing. After some research found that my cell phone charger in the 12V was interfering. Crazy. Unplugged, let computer reset. No more problems.
7. Rear brakes were making strange noises. Pulled wheels and there was plenty of pad left. Pulled rotors (which was an adventure) and found that parking brake assembly was worn out. Replaced pads, rotors and parking shoes.
8. Backed up and pulled on handle to adjust the parking brake... parking brake got stuck on! Got them off and adjusted all the way in. NEVER GOING TO PULL ON THAT HANDLE AGAIN!
9. Lots of rear brake noise now! Discovered backing plates were rubbing. Bent them out slightly, still lots of noise.
10. Backing plates were really loose and I figured that is why they were rubbing and making noise. Fastened them to caliper mounts with wire... LOTS OF NOISE!
11. Fastening them that way put them at an angle. Did some research to find that the backing plates are supposed to be riveted to the caliper mounts. My rivets have rusted off.
12. Next week I am going to pull the axles and re-rivet the backing plates (or bolt them maybe) and replace the parking brake springs, star adjuster, and shoe clips. Hoping that will end my noise.
All of this in a about a month. I am trying to wrap up my PhD, but this has engulfed my life. I love the KJ, but I am just hoping that I can just drive and enjoy if for a while.
Shortly after my purchase, I started to realize a few things (What follows is a lot of research, forum reading and repairs that it seems many KJ owners have done):
1. It came with a 2.5 lift, which as many of you know (and I know now...) puts the UCA's at a horrible angle and destroys the UBJs. Dealer agreed to replace one side, but shortly there after other side became noticeably bad. Ordered and installed JBA UCAs. Easy install and solved a few noises/clunks.
2. Rear ball joint was bad too! Replaced rear tri-link assembly. Huge difference. Let me know if you want tips on the install, figured out a good solution. It involves a floor jack, a bottle jack, and a 2x4.
3. Went to get alignment. Tie rod ends seized up. Inner and outer tie rods replaced. Alignment back to spec.
4. It had goodyear MTRs with a lot of tread but they were really noisy. I have had other mud tires before, but these were crazy. Turns out they were cupped from bad suspension parts. Installed new Falken ATs (245/75/16). Super quite, great grip and do decently in the mud.
5. A TMPS failed. Went to have it replaced to find another one was cracked and about to separate. Replaced 3 out of 4.
6. Two days after replacing TMPS... TMPS light starts dinging and flashing. After some research found that my cell phone charger in the 12V was interfering. Crazy. Unplugged, let computer reset. No more problems.
7. Rear brakes were making strange noises. Pulled wheels and there was plenty of pad left. Pulled rotors (which was an adventure) and found that parking brake assembly was worn out. Replaced pads, rotors and parking shoes.
8. Backed up and pulled on handle to adjust the parking brake... parking brake got stuck on! Got them off and adjusted all the way in. NEVER GOING TO PULL ON THAT HANDLE AGAIN!
9. Lots of rear brake noise now! Discovered backing plates were rubbing. Bent them out slightly, still lots of noise.
10. Backing plates were really loose and I figured that is why they were rubbing and making noise. Fastened them to caliper mounts with wire... LOTS OF NOISE!
11. Fastening them that way put them at an angle. Did some research to find that the backing plates are supposed to be riveted to the caliper mounts. My rivets have rusted off.
12. Next week I am going to pull the axles and re-rivet the backing plates (or bolt them maybe) and replace the parking brake springs, star adjuster, and shoe clips. Hoping that will end my noise.
All of this in a about a month. I am trying to wrap up my PhD, but this has engulfed my life. I love the KJ, but I am just hoping that I can just drive and enjoy if for a while.
