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hey guys,
firstly, the new site looks great!
i must admit i haven't been here in quite awhile. i used to frequent the site when i first bought my 04 renegade in late 03, and with the help of the friendly folks and admins here, modestly outfitted the KJ. (lift options, tires sizes/choices, some strut info)
i wanted to share my experience with "Cactus" (our cactus green liberty), and get some feedback. i am considering cutting my ties with jeep after years of loyalty.
1. check engine light
2. front struts
3. clutch master cylinder
4. ball joints and control arms
5. strange noise when making hard rights
these have pretty much been the issues i've dealt with.
1. upon purchase, the check engine light has been on. i took it back to the dealer and they said it had something to do with the oxygen sensor, and replaced it. it was off for a short while and then returned. i brought it back and i belive they replaced it again. after a short while, the light, yet again, came back on. it really didn't seem to be effecting performance so, i stopped taking it back to get the newest and latest in oxegen sensors , and i've learned to live with the bright orange light on the dash. it since has gone out on occasion (only for a day or so) and then returns.
2. on the first off road experience, i took Cactus to a modest ORV trail, with a few creek crossings. as i headed home, and back on the highway, i noticed and extreme bounce in the suspension. it took quite awhile to recover from any bumps in the road, and kind of reminded me of being in my grandfathers cadillac when i was a kid. turns out the stock struts, both
of them... shot. i replaced those with some ranchos.
3. after a year or so it became difficult to shift gears, and a day after that couldn't shift at all. took it to the dealer, and found out that the master cylinder had to be replaced.
4. the ball joints, oh the ball joints. i understand everyone is aware of the recall that happened, and i read some posts on the subject here, but i had some trouble with the uppers. just last month the passenger side upper control arm snapped at the ball joint and the wheel folded in, luckily that happened in the driveway. i called a dealer and told them what happened and they said it wasn't covered in the recall, because the recall was for the lower joints. and i was literally just out of warranty by a day or two. so i took it to a local guy around the corner, and had him replace the upper control arm (out of pocket). when he was done with the work, he recommened i call DC and have them immediatley replace all the ball joints, claiming the vehicle was unsafe to drive and i had to have it towed to an authorized dealer. DC authorized the work on the remaining three, and i had the KJ back in a day or so.
5. after i had the ball joints replaced i've notice some rattling. it seems to only happen on a hard right, like when on an exit ramp or something. i have been putting it off because its not "always" noticeable, and again out of pocket, right after xmas.
my father has an 02 sport, and just last week (Christmas Eve!) his upper right snapped, except he was in the left lane at about 75 mph. when the wheel folded, and slid like a hockey puck. dad managed to get onto the shouldler safely with the help of some defensive moves from some fellow motorists. he has lost faith.
i've owned an 81 CJ, 94 XJ, 97 TJ, 00 TJ, and now the 04 KJ and i'm disappointed. i want to like it, i want to love it. i just feel let down by something that was supposed to be trail rated, and can't stand up to highway driving.
i am just now reaching 45,000 miles on the odometer.
i am thinking about trading it in.
can anyone give me some good reasons not to?
i think i want someone to change my mind.
thanx for your time.
p.s. i hope i didn't break etiquette with a post like this.
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