LBJ Failure - Recomendations for Possible Warranty

SRotblat · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:05 pm

Jeep details
2004 with 67,2xx miles as of 2/18
Rusty Coil Lift and REVO 265/70 tires (since 41k)

In november I had an alignment done (at ~63k miles) at a local shop (dealers "local" to me are not convenient). I drove the jeep ~4 times before on 1/7 I was able to take the jeep back to the tire place because I started to hear popping from the front driverside suspension. I dont drive the jeep much as my wife and I work at the same place and commute together. The day I brought the car to the local shop I couldnt make the suspension pop or anything, I told them I was concerned about the ball joints and was told they were fine and it was likely I was hitting the turn stop which was making the noise (I didnt believe them, but I'm no expert...). Since that visit I've driven the jeep no more than a dozen times (roughly 60 miles round trip to and from work), and one trip to RI (roughly 800 miles total) just last weekend (drove home from RI in the big snow storm last weekend -- half of the drive was complete white out).
Today my wife took the car to clean out her aunt's apartment as she moved. I got a call from her, she said the LBJ broke and the jeep needed a tow. Apparently she was pulling from a parking spot when the ball joint gave way leaving the jeep strainded in the middle of the road.

We finally got over to the dealership where the jeep was towed (this is ~1 hour from my house), looking under it the folk which the suspension mounts to, which strattles the axle is resting on the inner CV leaving the lower control arm and ball joint less than an inch off the ground. It appears the tire isnt rubbing on the fender, though it must have when being loaded/unloaded from the tow truch as the fender liner is popped off.

Considering the milage of my jeep, the year and the mods what do people think my chances of getting this covered (and maybe even getting stuff like my tow reimbursed) are??

If jeep doesnt cover this I think I've got enough on the local shop where they should cover it as they told me 3 times (once for alignment, once for state inspection, and once when I brought it in about the popping) that everything was ok.

(x-posting this to jeepkj.com)

PitViper · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:18 pm

I think it would be best just to spend $125 on some moogs (better LBJ) and forget getting the dealer to cover the installation of a inferior part.

With the lift I doubt they will cover anyway.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:55 pm

I agree on just footing the bill for some Moogs. With that many miles I doubt it is going to get covered by anyone but you. That does suck though that you were told a few times that it was fine. At the very least, I would give them all a piece of your mind.

skrracing · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:15 pm

I would say go to a dealer and put your hands around one of the guys neck and tell them your could have been killed if she was fgoing 70 miles an hour... A ball joint failure should not happen on a 2004 vehicle no matter how many miles. This problem is going to KILL SOMEONE... Warranty hell... they should fix this no questions asked... Later...Clint

VTNomad · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:30 pm

Be sure to report it to NTSB, Chrysler is already under investigation.

jpzkj · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 11:39 pm

You should have the work done for free from the dealer...If not have an independant shop give your old stuff back (the dealer won't dive your stuff back on warrenty work).

In either case you need to make a report to the NTSB and send the parts to them if you have them.

There is a thread someplace about the compliant process. (if you can't find it ask SKRACING,he posted it orignally)

THIS IS A DEADLY PROBLEM THAT D.C. NEEDS TO ADDRESS

OutLaw XJ · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:13 am

I recently bought a 2006 Sport Special Edition. Are the LBJs fixed on the 06s or the same as everyone elses? If so, should I just get the Moogs and be done with this? I hope DC is redesigning them or paying for the Moog LBJs for everyone!

OutLaw

SRotblat · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:56 am

VTNomad wrote:

Be sure to report it to NTSB, Chrysler is already under investigation.

Done, first thing I did when I got home.

Huge safty issue, especially when I honstly drive 80mph 100% of the time on the highway (and I drive a LOT of highway miles). I'll keep posting where this goes, but SOMEONE is paying for this and its not me. If the local place had told me at any point they were going bad I would have footed the bill myself...but considering everything this is just unacceptable.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:16 am

Try to get the moog's. I would rather pay for it myself, would be alot safer than trying to prove a point that the shop was wrong. If they do pay for it, try to make them buy the moog's if they dont know any better.

SRotblat · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:20 pm

update

Reginal office has denied any claim (based on milage and lack of recall for the '04s).
Dealer will not do anything as the reginal office has made a decision. Called Jeep USA (customer service numbre off their website) and they tell me the reginal office has made a decision and I have to deal with them. Neiter the Jeep USA or dealer will give me the reginal office information (said to be in New York City area), I've asked twice to have then call me without any responce.

Damage includes driverside lower ball joint, fender flair clasps and driverside inner cv boot at a cost of $390+tax.

:evil:

anyone have the reginal office information??

rocketjocky · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:28 pm

I have an 02 with 83000 miles I just found mine passenger side starting to go. I went to a local dealership just to see what it was going to cost me...I was expecting an arm and two legs. the service tech said there was no recall or any other issues with the lbj. I informed him differently. anyway even though my jeep is out of warrenty they are going to replace the lbj for free from the recall. I didn't even have to get mad. the only problem is it's still the factory ball joint.. more issues to come later I'm sure.

OutLaw XJ · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:24 am

So, the "new" lbj is a "new defective one"? Do I have this right??

Outlaw

jpzkj · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:54 am

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:44 am

I went through a hell of an ordeal recently with my dealer lying about performing the LBJ recall. After calling them out on it and proving they lied (even though They wouldn't admit guilt). They offered to install "new" ones, "if that would make you feel better about this".

I told them that I would rather They didn't touch my Jeep again and that I would just do the Moogs myself.

Point being, Screw the factory junk, go for the Moogs. I would also rather pay the extra for Al's upper arms instead of more factory junk again.

Stupid ball joints!

rocketjocky · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:35 am

I have two thoughts about this, first I know the lbj is going to fail again but having the dealer install one now will buy me a little time to get money saved for the frankin lift and moogs. the second is hey it cost the dealer time and money to put it in maybe jeep will finally fix the issue correclty if enough of us complain.

OutLaw XJ · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:43 pm

Thanks for making this issue clear! I will order the Moogs. What's all the hubub about the upper arms??

Outlaw

SRotblat · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:17 pm

Well I picked up the keep today. Out 378 bucks for the ball joint, inner cv boot and clips for the fender that popped off.

Still getting a run around on info. Dealer says the reginal guy said no coverage based on milage so no warranty and lack of recall. Dealer asked the guy to call me but he said that he doesnt call customers. The dealer and the main custsomer service office will not give me this guys contact info.

white04kj · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:15 pm

I don't know if they'd be able to help, but you might look into contacting the Better Business Bureau. I'm not positive that they'd be able to do anything, but if they can't do anything about the warranty, just the threat to contact them might be enough to convince Jeep to stop screwing around with you info-wise.

LBJ Failure - Recomendations for Possible Warranty

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