Test drove a CRD.. A few questions

Conecarver · **Joined:** Wed May 22, 2013 8:17 pm **Posts:** 4

Considering a CRD to replace my Golf TDI .. Need more towing capacity and ditching a car payment is a good thing!! Test drove an 05 limited CRD and was wondering how much suspension noise is normal in these Jeeps.. The truck had come minor clunking out of the rear and a noise here or there up front ... This rig has a little over 100k so should I factor in for some bushing/ball joint replacements or is it a jeep get over it thing.. The VW is a lot more refined but I did enjoy the Liberty much more than I thought I would!!

Jason

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat May 25, 2013 1:15 pm

Read Sir Sam's NOOB guide, factor in that you will immediately need a timing belt job unless the seller provides proof positive (work order, receipts) that the jobs been done (xyz "checked" the belt and it's fine is a flat out lie), neither my 05 or stoutdog's 06 have suspension noise other than a tendancy for a "clunk" in the rear when we go over a speed bump too fast. FYI depending on location there is a recall on 05 rear control arms.

The CRD needs a modest amount of tlc, more than most dealers can provide, so I hope you are comfortable with basic wrenching.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat May 25, 2013 3:14 pm

Most of our CRD's have over 100k miles and I know mine personally has no clunking in the rear end even though I feel like I should replace my shocks and struts it wouldn't be for noise's sake, but rather that I feel they're "DUE" since they have 120k on them.

No clunks are normal sir.

x2 on the Timing Belt.

geordi · **Posted:** Sat May 25, 2013 6:11 pm

Chances are, that noise is from the rear transmission mount - under the transmission and above the crossmember. It can be changed with little more than hand tools and a floor jack.

As for replacing a TDI with one of these... Any way you can keep both? Equally important - how strong of a mechanic do you figure yourself? These aren't simple vehicles to keep running, and I wouldn't suggest having one as your sole means of transportation.

Conecarver · **Joined:** Wed May 22, 2013 8:17 pm **Posts:** 4

Newb guide read... And I happen to be a decent mechanic, but if it is not reliable enough to be a daily driver how would it be reliable over a 12 hour tow?? I run National Level SCCA solo events in a Kart and a big part of the purpose of this truck is to cover lots of hwy miles many towing about 3k.

Seriously a truck built in 2005 is not reliable enough to be ones primary mode of transportation?? Is it bad enough I should just look for an old Touareg and give up on mileage or shudder am I stuck getting a boring Nissan or Toyota?

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun May 26, 2013 10:52 am

Unless you know it has been run most of its life with a GDE tune, budget a rocker/lifter replacement at the same time as the TB, water pump, tensioner and idlers. Figure about $1000 for parts for that service. You can rent the tools from GDE. Read about how to do the "MAF" test to find out if you need rockers.

My wife just got back from a trip to Nashville with her 4K horse trailer (i.e. large parachute) and averaged 18 mpg. Fantastic tow vehicle with $1000 of mods. (I am a Formula Ford guy.)

DOC

Conecarver · **Joined:** Wed May 22, 2013 8:17 pm **Posts:** 4

The particular truck I drove just had the t-belt and w pump done (yes there is proof)... I can handle the small stuff... Cleaning MAP, getting a tune to delete/nuter egr, fuel filter and other routine stuff is easy for me.... If I can keep a high strung Italian 2 stroke running and 2 VAG products CEL free I hope I can keep a Jeep running even if it has an Italian heart. Suspension clunks sounds like a good excuse for new bushings and an OME kit

Jason

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun May 26, 2013 11:04 am

IF it's the same one here in Nashville that a few others have been looking at on Berry Hill, just get into contact with me. I have all the tools and I can assist or provide pointers when you go to do your work. Why pay a bunch to rent them right here in town when there's someone local to help?

Conecarver · **Joined:** Wed May 22, 2013 8:17 pm **Posts:** 4

Probably the same one.. At the indoor place off 8th ave... Seems pretty solid overall. What were the others opinions?

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun May 26, 2013 11:12 am

The same as yours, a little noise from the rear, fun to drive, typical CRD stuff.

My only contention when I talked to the other guy looking to buy mine when I decided not to sell it (yeah I probably have an email from you too

) was that it has gone as long as it has without a GDE tune and is probably going to need rockers/lifters soon.

I can help you guys with any/all of that, just be aware it's a possibility when you buy one of these.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

Jason,
The CRD is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. Things that are just waiting to fail include torque converters, rockers, waterpumps (did previos owner replace that with timing belt job) etc...etc

Has the vehicle you are interested in have all new idler pulley's replaced during timing belt job? How about a torque converter, if it has never been replaced, do it asap if you buy it or it will fail you at the most inopportune time.

I had a TDI and it had a lot of issues too (dual mass flywheel, PD camwear-bad design, and stupid stuff breaking all of the time), trust me the Liberty CRD is worse.

I can't remember all of the stuff that has broken but let me try.
(a) EGR failed
(b) Air Flow control valve failed (plastic gear in it stripped
(c) Multiple speed sensor issues (mostly thing and too short wiring in harness leading to wheels)
(d) Glow plugs replaced twice
(e) Torque converter failure
(f) Drive shaft fell off on highway when torque converter failed (FROM LOTS OF VIBRATION)
(g) Front prop shaft replaced
(h) Right axle replaced
(i) Alternator pulley replaced
(j) Thermostat failes every 60k miles like clockwork
(k) Oil leaks galore
(l) 2 CAC hose replacements
(m) Intercooler has leak-needs replacemen
(n) Serpetine belt tensioner replaced ($$$)
(o) Rotor's warp-and that's not even from towing

If you need to tow, consider a 2007-09 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD. Its not quite as unreliable but isn't perfect.
(a) thermostat failed closed at 30k miles while towing on vacation
(b) Alternator failed (poor design-its under an oil filler cap that leaks while engine is running-replaced and installed spash shield in TSB)
(c) OEM battery leaked on ECU located under it (stupid design) causing lots of issues to harness plug and wiring
(d) CP3 pump replaced at 61,000 (yes, that's the expensive one)
(e) Upgraded intake to turbo (stock one leaks oil droplets onto the swirl motor valve causing $$$$$ replacement)
Expected future issues: Expect swirl motor failure someday, expect tranny to fail as clutch packs in it are known to be "weak".

My wife and I are the only two people in our household yet we own 4 vehicles. The reason is that each of us drive Jeeps as daily driver's and the other two cars are "backups". Yes, there have been times when both Jeeps were out of comission at same time.

We do a little off-roading in Colorado. My wife doesn't have any problem driving 200-400 miles in either CRD to go camping but she refuses to off-road more than 20 minutes off of a main road which is why we now own ATVs.

Glend · **Posted:** Tue May 28, 2013 4:20 am

Don't forget that the Mercedes engine in the Grand Cherokee can't be rebuilt like a VM engine can. The Mercedes CRD uses bonded head construction, which means throw the whole thing away because they are not servicable, and no liners, and the cylinder walls are too thin to rebore.
All that from a Jeep mechanic that works on them.

Now the new Grand with VM V6 CRD is a sweet ride.

barley00 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 06, 2013 8:24 pm

Stumbled on this thread while searching for transmission mount information. Wonder what the original poster ended up doing after getting scared away...

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:17 pm

I haven't had much problems out of mine. I pull a travel trailer all over the place and just run it all day long. But mine is a 2006 things will break and wear out. But it paid for and it good on fuel . Most of the people have pretty good luck out of them. But i don't let it rev over about 3000 rpms. Don't think a diesel should rev much higher.

4x4kingx889 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:42 pm **Posts:** 235

Had mine a little over 2 year's with no major problems this is my DD and I do not have anything else they just have there cons like every other thing out there

Greasey Bob · **Joined:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:34 am **Posts:** 228

I put 90k grease miles on mine as a daily driver. I had to do all the TB stuff. And I needed ball joints on the front I got top and bottom but it make noises from the front end with 160k miles. Jeeps are about 50/50 on every one they make. That means for every guy that has one that never breaks and just keeps running there is one that breaks all the time. And that my friends is a bad ratio! I think I got a good one., right until it goes boom and dies if you believe what you read on this website.

Test drove a CRD.. A few questions

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