I have posted this letter to the Australian GM of CJD today - the response will be interesting.

The General Manager
Chrysler Jeep Dodge Australia
44 Lexia Place
Mulgrave
VIC 3170

Dear Sir,

I have been a Jeep supporter for the past 7 years since I purchased my first KJ CRD in 2003. I currently own a 2006 build KJ CRD which is, unfortunately, 3 months outside its warranty period.

Two weeks ago my wife and I started what was intended to be a 10,000km trip from Brisbane to Broome and back trip in company with two other vehicles, all towing camper trailers. However my Jeep started making a screeching noise when the clutch was depressed about 4 days into the trip: this was diagnosed as a failed clutch release bearing. We drove on to Mt Isa and took the Jeep to the local Toyota dealer as there are no Jeep dealers in that town. The service manager suggested that the pressure plate may also have been damaged and recommended that we replaced this as well. However investigations determined that there were no replacement parts in Australia, and since our companions could not afford to wait around for 2-3 weeks for a part to arrive from Singapore they continued on their trip and we arranged to have the Jeep shipped home to Brisbane: by this time the Mt Isa workshop had removed the gearbox and confirmed that the pressure plate release fingers had been damaged by the failed bearing.

I have now ordered a new clutch assembly from a Jeep dealer in the UK and it will be flown out to me this week. This whole incident raises questions to which I would appreciate your response.

1. Why is it that an essential component such as a clutch kit is not held in stock in Australia? I would have thought that sensible stock-keeping would have ensured that new stock was ordered when the stock level dropped to 2 or 3 units.
2. How does Chrysler Jeep justify pricing such a component at A$730 in Australia when the identical genuine Mopar part can be purchased for A$265 in the UK, inclusive of the local 17.5% VAT? Shipping costs cannot be the answer, as even with the cost of airfreighting a single item I have ended up paying less than the cost in Australia.

The ridiculous cost of Jeep parts in Australia is a common topic on the various Jeep forum websites, and many Jeep enthusiasts order their spare parts from the US or UK. I shall soon be needing to replace my timing belt and know I can save around A$500 by ordering the parts from the VM specialist in the UK.

I will be posting a copy of this letter on the web forums “ausjeepoffroad” and “LOST Downunder” and will also post your response, unless you request otherwise.

Yours sincerely

_________________
November 2006 2.8 CRD manual, CRDSTU front springs, King HD rears, Polyairs, LT245/70R16 Pirelli Scorpion ATRs, DP chip, Airflow snorkel
TJM alloy front bar, Ox 9500lb winch, Hella Compact 4000 spots, Complete set Mopar skid plates, Mopar cargo barrier
GME TX3440 UHF, Codan NGT HF

They have absolutely no excuse for not having parts on hand in Australia for a 4 year old vehicle. Simple.

_________________
SOME SAY

I'm Toight... Toight lik a Toiger.

And

When I go to the Toilet, Chuck Norris is there to tear the squares off for me.

"Pass me another one Chuck, and keep em coming!! On sencond thoughts..Go get the hose"

Very sorry to hear of your problems Chris. I agree that the parts should be held here and this matter sould be drawn to their attention. I would be cautious about 'exposing' George (and I realise you have not mentioned him by name) as a source of parts as he is very valuable to all of us and the less attention that receives from the Chrysler Jeep management team the better (IMHO). I think it might be enough to point out that there are alternatives with signifiant savings.

BTW I know there have been some problems with clutches (release bearings) in manual JK CRDs and these were replaced under warranty (probably not many outside of it anyway). And yes the flywheel generally needs replacement or machining.

Sorry your big trip was affected.

Any Response from this yet Chris.??

_________________
02KJ LTD
245x75Rx16 Hankook MTRT03
ARB Winch Bar,Tiger11 Winch,4xNarva spots,GME UHF,Navman GPS
Mopar Skid Plates,dual battery system,Tubular Jeep s/steps,
2.5" Lift OME Shocks & King Springs,AirFlow Snorkel
Long Range fuel Tank 115 Ltre,Drawer Unit
Rola:Roof Rails,Basket,Shovel Holders & Luggage Boot
Desert Edge Off Road Camper

Seems hae gone quiet but this raises valid questions.

Hope to hear the response.

_________________
2005 2.8 CRD auto,
OME lift with a little extra
255/70R16 Cooper Discoverer ATR's
Airflow snorkel
Provent
Magnaflow
MOPAR alloy front bar, Lightforce 170's
3 out of 4 MOPAR skid plates, MOPAR hitch
GME UHF

Nothing really happened. I got a reply to my original letter which was just the usual PR rubbish and contained several statements which I took issue with - they asked that I kept their response confidential and since I had previously said that I would if requested, I did. I replied with my comments on the statements mentioned above and finally got a reply which basically said "Sorry, we'll try and do better in the future". But don't hold your breath.

_________________
November 2006 2.8 CRD manual, CRDSTU front springs, King HD rears, Polyairs, LT245/70R16 Pirelli Scorpion ATRs, DP chip, Airflow snorkel
TJM alloy front bar, Ox 9500lb winch, Hella Compact 4000 spots, Complete set Mopar skid plates, Mopar cargo barrier
GME TX3440 UHF, Codan NGT HF