Several reasons why things like this happen:

-Under engineering
-engineering to a price point
-engineering to a vehicle gross weight (fuel mileage concerns, etc.)
-forced price reductions, low price point forced on supplier
-insufficient testing(see first point) to save money, time and/or both.
-rising price of steel/fuel/labor/etc. - got to save somewhere...

As a great chef used to say "I guarantee" some or all of these will be at the root of these problems. And almost all of them in some way come back to $.

I'm a unit manager for a tier one supplier - I live it everyday.

Several reasons why things like this happen:

-Under engineering
-engineering to a price point
-engineering to a vehicle gross weight (fuel mileage concerns, etc.)
-forced price reductions, low price point forced on supplier
-insufficient testing(see first point) to save money, time and/or both.
-rising price of steel/fuel/labor/etc. - got to save somewhere...

As a great chef used to say "I guarantee" some or all of these will be at the root of these problems. And almost all of them in some way come back to $.

I'm a unit manager for a tier one supplier - I live it everyday.

I dont understand why they cannot get that part right? Whats the big deal? Chevy's had recalls, DC, Toyota.. Why can they not make them serviceable??!?!?!

I talked to "my mechanic" about the LBJ problem and he said that it had to do with the way they were being installed
I am not sure exactly how he explained it but it had to do with the ball end should have thee weight pushing down on it not pulling it out of the socket
I think he said that they should do that as well as add a zerk

I dont understand why they cannot get that part right? Whats the big deal? Chevy's had recalls, DC, Toyota.. Why can they not make them serviceable??!?!?!

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

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

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