Donkeykong wrote:
So, this is the first jeep I have ever owned, and I like it.
As far as the LBJ (or any joint) being greasable, it's a matter of this day and age.
I am not accusing any of you of being old school, or old fashioned, but when it comes down to it, greasable pivot points are out dated. Jeep has simply been trying to meet the times and using up to date materials and seals.
The reason pivot points don't need greasing isn't because they aren't built to last, there are simply better materials to suit the job. My $4000 bicycle doesn't need the pivot points greasing every hard ride and we shouldn't expect our jeeps to need it. The engineers have begun using bushings and seals and synthetic greade that doesn't require constant baby-sitting.
As far as the LBJ on the KJ's, it looks like it's an engineering problem that someone should have or will be canned for, but I have yet to own a car that has needed anything more than the door hunges greasing (and that is here in ohio with salty roads all winter).
I hope I don't come off as wrong, but why would you want to have to grease a suspension component when you don't have to?
It's a shame that there is such a problem with the LBJ's, and I really do wish that my libby had come with a SFA, but seriously, this is the year 2007. Grease guns were incorporated in pre 1950's technology due to the lack of sealing technology and grease breakdown. Now who wants to help me grease my axle boots?
-Mark
How did Ronald Reagan say it? "I won't hold your youth and inexperience against you."
From experience working around commercial vehicles for better than 20 years and more Ohio road salt than I care to remember, you need a serviceable joint in this enviornment. Fresh grease flushes-out dirt, salt, water, rust, etc... from mechanical joints which if left in place will cause the joint to fail. Using another old-school part, the king pin as an example. One must take the mechanical load off of the joint to force grease through the joint, flushing contaminants to keep this joint from failing. I was most amused by the first set of Rockwell disk brakes used on commercial vehicles having dry, unsealed caliper pins. Those lasted about 2 weeks in Ohio salt before the brakes would lock on the pins and smoke a brake. The fix was as simple as Never Sieze on the pins, slop them up and it's good for @ 6 months. Ball joints are no different, neglect them and they will fail.
As for Liberty's LBJ's, they are nothing short of a POS. My first set was trash after the first Ohio winter (12K miles), second set starting to loosen close to when the recall was done (21K miles), and the new & improved recall set is already starting to knock and showing signs of lane wander (23.5K miles).
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
