BALL JOINTS AGAIN...WATCH THEM

KJ_Dave · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 8:15 pm

I went to the dealership and they said they couldn't hear any sounds, even though I heard it before the appt and right after. I also told them about my concern for the bj they said that there aren't any problems with the liberty bj. He said they re-designed the bj. My responce was, "I thought they just put a heat shield on it." His tone then changed and said that was aall they did. They said it was all fine, even though thety didn't get under there and look.

2003KJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:56 pm

KJ_Dave wrote:

I went to the dealership and they said they couldn't hear any sounds, even though I heard it before the appt and right after. I also told them about my concern for the bj they said that there aren't any problems with the liberty bj. He said they re-designed the bj. My responce was, "I thought they just put a heat shield on it." His tone then changed and said that was aall they did. They said it was all fine, even though thety didn't get under there and look.

did you get that they said it was A OK in writing? If not, good luck getting them to fix it when it does snap.

rackaroo · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:35 pm

Just had my drivers side lower ball joint on my '03 KJ break, luckily pulling out of the driveway at work and not on the highway.

Started out with lots of squeaking and then the squeaking suddenly stopped. Two days later...BANG...the KJ came to a grinding halt, literally. I was only doing 3 or 4mph and it was like I hit a curb. I could only imagine the damage this could do if it happened at high speeds.

There is no warranty left on the KJ, I have about 105000 km's (65000 miles) and done the recall, so I got the Moog K3199 LBJ's installed on both sides. Not the junk the dealers will install. They sure are hefty units and with grease fittings. Gee, what a great idea! DUH!

I am in the process of talking to Jeep about getting reimbursed for the Moog ball joints. We'll see what happens.

If anyone is unsure about their ball joints get them checked right away. It could be a very dangerous situation if one of them breaks.

Jeff

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:34 pm

Wow!

Thanks for the info.

Oh, and in my opinion, you will not get Mopar to pay for non-mopar parts.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:44 pm

AdamIsAdam wrote:

Wow!

Thanks for the info.

Oh, and in my opinion, you will not get Mopar to pay for non-mopar parts.

I'm keeping my Moog receipts and the bad Mopar parts to use for when the class action suit hits. Bound to happen.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:17 pm

If you have repair bills, particularly from damage caused by failure (ie body or wheel damage) I bet you'll get reimbursed. You may even get paid for labor of the repair. I was just thinking that they wouldn't pay for non oem parts.

But YES, do save receipts. I once got a former collegue back $500 for brakes done to her Camry (in the 80's) after reading about a recall. I think she gave me a pat on the back for it. oh boy.

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2006 5:51 pm

Just checked my ball joints during routine tire rotation, both lowers have movement and the passenger side upper is shot about 1/2" of visible movement. Going to the dealer Monday morning. Joe Made report to NHTSA as Clint suggested!

kjguy43 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:15 am

Also, checked my lower ball joints. The driver side has about a 1/4in movement. The passenger side barely moves. Right now, the dealer says they will replace even with the lift. Guess we'll see when the time comes. All I can say is they better, and could be a nice big stink made in the local papers.

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:24 pm

Dropped mine off last night, got a call back this afternoon, getting both upper control arms and ball joints replaced and both lower ball joints replaced. If I were you I wouldn't wait for a failure! My pass. side upper was an accident waiting to happen. Joe

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:10 pm

kjguy43 wrote:

Also, checked my lower ball joints. The driver side has about a 1/4in movement. The passenger side barely moves. Right now, the dealer says they will replace even with the lift. Guess we'll see when the time comes. All I can say is they better, and could be a nice big stink made in the local papers.

The outside limit is a little 1/16". Get it fixed and also file that NHTS report.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:36 pm

Mine went in on Friday and they said both uppers are needing replacement again. (second set in 35K) It goes back this Friday for the work. I hope they were right about the lowers being Ok. I will check them again myself when I get it back. Hopefully this set will last me another year until the SFA goes in. :roll:

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:47 pm

JJ: Are you getting that done under the 2002-2003 recall?

kjguy43 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 10:54 am

lilmatty wrote:

kjguy43 wrote:

Also, checked my lower ball joints. The driver side has about a 1/4in movement. The passenger side barely moves. Right now, the dealer says they will replace even with the lift. Guess we'll see when the time comes. All I can say is they better, and could be a nice big stink made in the local papers.

The outside limit is a little 1/16". Get it fixed and also file that NHTS report.

I have an appt on Friday. We haven't driven the Libby since last Friday. We are also having it towed. I will be fighting for the tow bill with D/C also. This is there problem, they need to come up with a fix. D/C is going to ruin JEEP. Them ***holes.

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:57 pm

Jae, did you break-down? Just wondering why you aren't dropping it off at the Dealer. Glad you're getting them fixed! Joe

( and yes I think it's ridiculous that with 30K or less miles we're having major front independent suspension problems.)

kjguy43 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:44 pm

Joe, No I didn't break down, I am not taking chances with a potential crash. My life is way more important to me than what Chrysler must think it is. The tow was $85 to go 26 miles. No complaining on my end. I just don't understand how the designers of these vehicles goto sleep at night, knowing that this is a design error.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:54 pm

I know what you mean and agree! When I went out and finally checked mine, the play was so great I was scared to death. I did limp it over to the dealer the next morning myself, but when they said they'd give me a ride to work and pulled my KJ around, I had words! That's all I needed, was some valet driving my KJ around like a rental and dropping the BJ then!

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 11:40 pm

Mine's been at the Dealer since Monday am, supposed to get it back tomorrow after they set the toe-in. Anxious to see if I'm getting the "Heat Shields" and if anything looks different. Took them two days to get lower ball joints, (must be a demand?) Don't know if I feel too safe with this vehicle, it's a shame I dropped some coin into it already, now I'm not so confident about wheelin in it. Joe

Wade in Burgaw · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:44 pm

Had my LBJ's replaced today. Didn't know the uppers could be shot too. Would I see play in them with the 2x4 test?

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:52 pm

[b]Most definitely! Got mine back today, lowers have the heat shields, upper control arms with B.J.'s look the same, only now my Liberty squeals when I turn and I have a new belt and new tensioner? Checked the steering wheel fluid was below minimum, filled to maximum hot mark, so far no more squealing! Joe

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:32 pm

Went wheelin' at Paragon Sat., so far okay! Joe

BALL JOINTS AGAIN...WATCH THEM

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