OF Wheel Bearings and Lower Ball Joints.

[Jeeping]

04 Lib RE. 19244 miles. Right front wheel bearing makes a racket. So we take it in today. I ask them to check the Ball Joints. They are a very small dealership in a very small town. They thought I had slipped a cog.

After a test drive and an inspection. Order parts for 04 Lib RE. Bring car in a week later to get the work done. Also will rotate the tires as the front ones have begun to cup from having bad lower Ball Joints. This will be done June 1.

I've filled out the complaint form to be sent to Jeep.

After 10 new Jeeps, a couple bad GC's and this Lib. I will be leaving the Jeep line forever. I don't hot rod nor beat these cars. The Lib has never seen a trail. It's our retirement Sunday car for crap sakes!!

Enough of the DC folks for me!!!! BTW I'm sending Jeep a letter and it isn't going to be pretty.

 

[bohica-kj]

Maybe your problem is....you DO need to take it off road and beat it up a little.
Seems to make my Libby happy \/

 

[Eddo]

I feel you pain man. Jeep does put some crapy ball joints on the Liberty and they wouldn't stand by it half the time either. I hope that letter does something.

The ball joints are known to be failure prone and they keep putting the same crappy parts back on. There are much better aftermarket ball joints out there (MOOG ball joints for example), but that is beyond the point. It is a safety issue and Jeep needs to address it. So PLEASE file a complaint with the NHTSA.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

There are probably over 100 reported case of pre-mature ball joint failures. Jeep needs to wake up and fix this problem before it gets someone killed.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Hmm, well, I guess you are unlucky? I beat the poo out of mine. Off roading, burning tires, fish tailing, sliding, you name it and I do it. I fell for ya bro, jeeps are awsome!

Ohh, just turned over to 19k a few days ago!! sad times!

 

[sprsonic]

03 renegade, 33,600 miles. origional ball joints, and still tight. kj's are alright by me. but cant argue w/jeeping. i have seen quite a few ball joints on kj's broken lately. most seem to vehicles that are in poor shape. now that i mention it. the people driving them dont seem to be in that great shape either.

 

[sprsonic]

oh and sorry to hear about your situation.

 

[Jeeping]

update

Just now checked with the Dealership to see if we were a go for Thursday for lower ball joints. Parts are still showing on backorder..... We are to leave for a 1k mile trip early Friday morning. NOT a good sign....

WE may end up taking my 86 Ford Crown Vic. It has 135K on it but otherwise solid.

I think most of you are right, in a way. I probably should take it out and get it deep muddy, hop a few logs and stumps with a couple side hills thrown in for justice. But that makes for a deep dent in my Aleve bottle.

I'll keep you posted.

Another letter is about to go to DC :-({|=

 

[Mutt]

Re: update

Just now checked with the Dealership to see if we were a go for Thursday for lower ball joints. Parts are still showing on backorder..... We are to leave for a 1k mile trip early Friday morning. NOT a good sign....

WE may end up taking my 86 Ford Crown Vic. It has 135K on it but otherwise solid.

I think most of you are right, in a way. I probably should take it out and get it deep muddy, hop a few logs and stumps with a couple side hills thrown in for justice. But that makes for a deep dent in my Aleve bottle.

I'll keep you posted.

Another letter is about to go to DC :-({|=

Why do that? I did it this weekend and now my three day old alignment is for crap. The clutch on the A/C compressor is whirring like a whistle. I've got cuts on two brand new tires from stuffing the front of the wheel well. My KJ clanks and clunks since I lifted it. Right now I'm debating spending another $600.00 to fix the problems I've discovered on top of the $3000.00 in aftermarket stuff I've already purchased for it.

Maybe I'll return it stock, sell off the junk and trade it in on nice Toyota FJ Cruiser!

 

[Eddo]

Re: update

Just now checked with the Dealership to see if we were a go for Thursday for lower ball joints. Parts are still showing on backorder..... We are to leave for a 1k mile trip early Friday morning. NOT a good sign....

WE may end up taking my 86 Ford Crown Vic. It has 135K on it but otherwise solid.

I think most of you are right, in a way. I probably should take it out and get it deep muddy, hop a few logs and stumps with a couple side hills thrown in for justice. But that makes for a deep dent in my Aleve bottle.

I'll keep you posted.

Another letter is about to go to DC :-({|=

PLEASE file a complaint with the NHTSA for the lower ball joints. Known problem and DC ignors it.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

 

[Jeeping]

File complaint

Eddo:

Already did it, thanks.

Just got the bugger back from the shop. Three hour install and the Service advisor said this one was different as they could unbolt the whole spindle and take it to the press.

Drives like it did when I first bought it. Unfortunately the Dealership had to use OEM to replace. He did say they appeared different than the old ones.

BTW, DAMSKOV AUTO SALES in Omak, Wa. went out of their way and were very courteous. I will certainly recommend them for Service. And I hate stealerships. These folks are great! I mean they really went to work to get this done before tomorrow morning. They literally pulled those ball joints off the back of the delivery truck and got me on the lift.....right now!!!! It was 100% warranty and no cash to them from me.
I do hope they get paid by DC. =D>

Thanks for your concerns and putting up with my ********. I have a feeling you'll hear me again in about another 20K miles. :-#