Lower Ball Joint Failure

tedder · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:19 pm **Posts:** 137

Anyone had the lower ball joint have a catastrophic failure? This one came completely out of the socket and the lower a arm dropped. The ball joint bolt cut the rim like a lathe. Good thing the wife was not driving however during this whole event the Jeep handled quite well.

My question is during this some lube leaked from the transfer case from around the shaft do I need to do anything other than check the level of the lube?

I don't want to put this whole thing back together and find the shaft leaking would it need a seal replacement?

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:23 pm

Glad you're OK. I was thinking it looked like the tie rod would keep it from folding upward if the LBJ gave out last time I had it apart. Still, not a good failure to have though.

Quote:

My question is during this some lube leaked from the transfer case from around the shaft do I need to do anything other than check the level of the lube?

-- do you you mean around the CV shaft? When the boot tore on mine it threw grease all over the brake components, suspension, etc. If that's what you're seeing, check the CV boots. If it's the front drive shaft coming from the transfer case, it might need rebuild. Check google...there are examples of broken ones and the rebuild process with youtube videos.

tedder · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:19 pm **Posts:** 137

The lube came from around where the CV shaft inserts into the transfer case. That's best I can tell. Everything seems to rotate well. I will check the boots just to make sure the are not torn.

Thanks

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 11:26 pm

unfortunately - that's a standard Liberty thing - it's why 'check your ball joints' is a sticky

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4348

and why Jeep has had at least one, if not more recalls on them.

KD6ICZ · **Posted:** Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:38 am

I just made Chrysler replace mine again under recall. They are covered for 10 years regardless if they were already replaced.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:14 am

FYI:
One caveat; I called the national Jeep recall hotline, and they told me dealer must inspect and approve a second replacement... :roll:

good luck! :banghead:

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2005/jeep/liberty/recalls/

http://www.jeep.com/universal/webselfservice/pdf/F23.pdf

gmctd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:44 pm

Are you referring to the transfer case behind the transmission, or the front differential housing with the two cv-jointed half-shafts?

If the front differential, likely the exaggerated angle resulted when the lower ball-joint let loose caused the leak - could require the diff axle-seal replacement.

Make sure they install the K3199 ball-joints required for the heavier CRD KJ, rather than those for the much lighter oem spark-infested KJ

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 02, 2015 10:06 pm

gmctd wrote:

Are you referring to the transfer case behind the transmission, or the front differential housing with the two cv-jointed half-shafts?

If the front differential, likely the exaggerated angle resulted when the lower ball-joint let loose caused the leak - could require the diff axle-seal replacement.

Make sure they install the K3199 ball-joints required for the heavier CRD KJ, rather than those for the much lighter oem spark-infested KJ

You do know that the OEM LBJ's are also MOOG part#K3199.The "problem solver" series K3199's are the greaseable HD versions of the K3199.

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 11:44 pm

I do know that somewhere on this site is the comparison of the K3199's to the small oem versions I replaced when I did the upgrade on my KJ , in another time, another century

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:04 am

On the a MOOG Web site, the problem solver series is listed as a K80767 part number for the lower BJ.
The K3199 is also listed, both for Jeep Liberty lower BJ for about the same price.
Just curious, Both are greaseable, so which one is best???? :?:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Moog-K80767
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K3199

http://moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27015_Socket_Design_En.pdf

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:18 am

KD6ICZ wrote:

I just made Chrysler replace mine again under recall. They are covered for 10 years regardless if they were already replaced.

Interesting. I'd like to learn more about this. I am getting a "popping" sound in my front end when backing up and turning sometimes. I suspect the ball joints.

gmctd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:03 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

On the a MOOG Web site, the problem solver series is listed as a K80767 part number for the lower BJ.
The K3199 is also listed, both for Jeep Liberty lower BJ for about the same price.
Just curious, Both are greaseable, so which one is best???? :?:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Moog-K80767
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K3199

http://moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27015_Socket_Design_En.pdf

Very good input, tnx much

As can be seen, and considering that they did use the correct pictures of each, the currently-listed K3199 is non-greaseable, and is the type I replaced
You may also note the model year useage is '02~'04, with '05 mention.

The K80767 is greaseable, and is the heavy-duty unit I installed - for some reason they were being sold under, and we were told to ask for, the K3199 number back then

Dunno if the dealers are conforming to this upgrade requirement for the heavier KJ CRD chassis, but the differences are easily notable by visual comparison

Time for a sig correction, eh...............

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:17 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

On the a MOOG Web site, the problem solver series is listed as a K80767 part number for the lower BJ.
The K3199 is also listed, both for Jeep Liberty lower BJ for about the same price.
Just curious, Both are greaseable, so which one is best???? :?:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Moog-K80767
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K3199

http://moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27015_Socket_Design_En.pdf

MOOG changed the part # fort he "problem solver" K3199's,was confusing to have 2 different parts with the same part#.Some parts houses still list the "problem solver" series K3199's since they still have them in stock with the part# K3199 on the box.

gmctd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:31 pm

Good information, all, and after many years, the reason for my apparent MOOG "confusion" is exposed, revealed, and resolved

So, if footing the upgrade bill yourself, open the MOOG K3199 box at your local automotive emporium, verify that it is the exact duplicate of the K80767 picture, and has the required zerk fitting enclosed, therein

You will also note that it is much heavier, more robust, being the heavy-duty version for larger, heavier vehicles

dirtmover · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:51 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

On the a MOOG Web site, the problem solver series is listed as a K80767 part number for the lower BJ.
The K3199 is also listed, both for Jeep Liberty lower BJ for about the same price.
Just curious, Both are greaseable, so which one is best???? :?:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Moog-K80767
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K3199

http://moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27015_Socket_Design_En.pdf

I believe they are the same part. I'd suggest the K80767 since it avoids any confusion and it guarantees you a greasable joint.

A quick search indicates that the K3199 is made in both greasable and non-greasable versions and it can be a bit of a crapshoot which you get. I've seen more than one post commenting that they have believed they were ordering the problem solvers and ended up with non-greasable K3199s.

The Scott McLean · **Joined:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:19 pm **Posts:** 43

Anyone ever install these. Did some work on mine a few days ago,not a whole lot of room under the drive shaft for a large grease fitting.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:01 pm

The Scott McLean wrote:

Anyone ever install these. Did some work on mine a few days ago,not a whole lot of room under the drive shaft for a large grease fitting.

Ran them for years before ditching the whole IFS,the grease zerk is angled and have plenty of room to access.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:11 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

The Scott McLean wrote:

Anyone ever install these. Did some work on mine a few days ago,not a whole lot of room under the drive shaft for a large grease fitting.

Ran them for years before ditching the whole IFS,the grease zerk is angled and have plenty of room to access.

Same as mine as TJKJ shows, been on mine for over 100,000 miles, still tight and taking grease every 3000 miles or sooner

ibedonc · **Joined:** Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:40 pm **Posts:** 236

I need to do mine on my 06 , never done ball joints , what do I need in tools ?

Lower Ball Joint Failure

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