BALL JOINTS AGAIN...WATCH THEM

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:27 pm

well gang her is a question...

After all the stuff I have been doing to try to track down my front end noise, testing wheel bearings, tearing the front diff and ARB apart, then drove home with no front skid, and thought hey no noise cool!!! so I went and bought a new front skid, now before the new skid is on, the noise returns.

all 4 of my ball joints were replaced no more than 10,000 miles and 2 yrs ago (yeah, the poor KJ was parked for 8 months)

Now I test them, and the left lower is moving up and down worse than a bad porn!!!

So, should I replace them all? Just the bad one? Both lowers?

What do you all think, I am debating replacing all of them and using Al's uppers, just so I could grease them all.

Opinions?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Ted, if you do replace them let me know. I'll come down and we'll have a ball joint replacing party. Not nearly as fun as a lift party, but way more important.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:47 pm

Sounds good to me Joel, We could do a lift too... I still got to put my front Franken lift on.

What you got going this Sat?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

I'm busy. I'll be running around the woods shooting people again...paintball. :lol:

1calkid · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:50 pm

Just to let you all know, that may be planning on replacing your lower ball joints. I had to press mine out. They didn't just come out with a hammer.
If you have a lift to put in as well, you might want to put it in at the same time. This will keep you from having to take it apart again to get the lift in. By the way, be sure to disconnect your battery, since you will need to remove the whole hub assembly and that means disconnecting the ABS sensor, if equipped. I forgot that part and now need both sensors. Currently on order and also waiting for uppper ball joints to come in to dealer to hopefully have it all covered under warranty.

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:52 pm

Are 2005 KJ's involved and when should i start checking them? 30,000 miles or sooner will these be replaced under warranty?

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:57 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

What recall? What years are covered?

Who is this guy and why is he asking about a recall? Are `04's affected/involved in it? Should people only worry about their B-joints after they put on numerous miles or should they look now, even with < 20,000 miles?

raceinfan · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:25 pm

I have a slight vibration in the steering wheel but nothing on my feet,but I've had the vibration since new (last year 04)I just assumed it was the stock tires from what I've read here (thier junk) now my question is how bad would the vibration be :?:

mine is almost like driving on those WAKE UP STRIPS in the break down lane just not as bad,& I just turned 20,000

L.O.S.T. 4 LIFE
04 COLUMBIA ED. & 04 SPORT

aardvark4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 6:03 pm

From what I understand there will soon be another recall as KJs outside the original scope of the original are also suffering the same fate. Rather than fitting aftermarket ball joints, I would suggest that anyone who suspects a problem goes straight to a dealer, as DCX will be real twitchy about this by now and are likely to fix them for free in double quick time.

Tradewindkj · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:34 pm

Here is a copy of the original recall . You should call the dealer and get your ball joints check.

Make : JEEP Model : LIBERTY Year : 2002
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 03V460000 Recall Date : NOV 04, 2003
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 336000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence:
A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES AND HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND OCTOBER 4, 2002. ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 5, 2002 AND MARCH 26, 2003, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES (AND REPLACE THEM AS NECESSARY) AND INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Notes:
DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. C36. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

brpn#1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:52 pm

where is the recall for 2004???

i got about 39K miles on mine now *just clicked 39K today* my right tire has wear on the inside but no other tire has *except where i had one of those tires before rotation on the front right* so is the ball joint a warranty issue? i think mine has 7yrs or 70k drivetrain warranty.. would this be drivetrain issue.. or if its a recall it should be replaced w/no questions..

let us know cause i need to find out fast and get this fixed..

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:40 am

According to the tech advisor at work, it only affects 02-early 03 Libertys, and POSSIBLY SOME late 03 libs.

skrracing · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:45 am

Wrong...It affects all the KJs. Nothing has changed but a stupid little heat shield. The ball joints are the same...and they are still failing the same.. Dont take any crap from any dealer on this. UI am going to post the link that we had before that got all the ball joint stuff started before. This is still the same issue. later...Clint

skrracing · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:01 am

PLEASE...if you have had a ball joint failure on your KJ and have not filed a report to the NTSB...Please do so now. PLEASE take the time to do this. it will help all KJ owners out. Later...Clint

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:23 pm

hey thanks for helping us out with this clint, its a big help

skrracing · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:37 pm

Actually...I guess we should really thank the guys that had the failures...That just wrong huh...They are the ones that paid the price. I am just passingthe word.

Our buddy Jim just got off the trail in Death Valley when his failed. To think about some of the sheer dropoffs we were next ...man it kind of freaks you out.

I am replacing mine later today. One of them was ready to go any day now. The other one was not bad but I am still going to replace it. later...clint

Just be safe and check to be sure your are OK. I would hate to see anyone get hurt or cause damage when all they had to do is check them out.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:39 pm

well, if you need to replace your lowers, and want the serviceable Moog Joints, send Jeepinal an e-mail, he got me them for $20 less than anywhere local here, and that is after the shipping too!!

kjhawaii · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:47 pm

Here is a link to the Moog Site

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/downloads/PSL200527010PrematureBallJointFailureOnJeepLiberty.pdf

dirtykj · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 3:13 pm

Could someone elaborate a little more on the Moog replacement? Is it better to go with this or to stick with the OEM one and have them service it every now and then?

Pros and Cons?

skrracing · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:33 pm

I ended up replacing both of my balljoints. One had over a 1/4 movement...It was ready to go any day now. The other was not as bad but it was not good by any means. Later...Clint

BALL JOINTS AGAIN...WATCH THEM

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