Phil T wrote:
My Liberty is nearing its third anniversary and the end of factory warranty. I have 25,000 miles on it. I have generally been happy with it, but I do have some concerns.
Early on I had electrical issues, lower ball joint recall and heater fan recall. At 11,000 miles the stock Wranglers started cupping and I had an alignment done under warranty.
I do some 4 wheeling, but not what I would call a lot (maybe 3 trips a year).
Friday, after driving to lunch, it would not start and I had to get a jump. Jeep replaced the battery under warranty. I also had them look at the tires again. They replaced the lower ball joints again (2nd time under warranty) and it looks like the Wranglers will not make 30,000 miles. I had them align it again but Jeep would not pay for it since they had already aligned it once under warranty?
I am getting a little concerned because I have never had a new vehicle have so much warranty work in the first 25,000 miles. This includes a new CJ in the 70's, Ford Bronco and Bronco II in the 80's and 90's. I usually keep my vehicles 10 years. The ball joints and alignments concern me the most.
I know a lot of you have Liberty's that have a lot more miles and do a lot more 4 wheeling then I do.
How are they holding up? Will I get 10 years and 100,000 miles with out a lot of major work?
Nothing you stated is worth worrying about.........
1) the LBJ's are a known weakness,get MOOG K3199's installed and all your worries will be gone for that.
2) Chrysler OEM batteries are junk and 3 years is outstanding for a life span,get a Optima and be done with with.
3) IFS requires more alignments since it is far easier to go out of alignment then a SFA vehicle,it's the nature of the beast with more moving parts,get a lifetime alignment from Firestone,it's well worth it.Oh and GM trucks and SUV's won't hold a alignment either since they are IFS also so don't feel bad.
4) the OEM GoodYear tires are junk and 25,000-30,000 miles is the max you will see from them,upgrade to a LT tire that should come on a Jeep and not a passenger car rated tires.
I have a '02 KJ,64,000 miles,and beat the living snot out of it on/off road.The LBJ's went,replaced with MOOG's and no more problems.Replaced the OEM battery with a Optima and have never had a problem.Left the dealer lot with MT/R's and never complained about them,great tires.I have a lifetime alignment from firestone and have had mine aligned about 30 times in the last 6.5 years,no worries since it is IFS.I have had to replace the radiator but flexing all the time on the trails here in CO finally cracked the side tank,no biggie.Oh and I did break a front CV joint but that was my fault as it happened on Chinamans Gultch trail and it was bound to happen running trails like that..I do all my regular maintance,and them some,and my KJ has never failed me.