After taking my Jeep in for the re-call to change the upper ball-joints 6 months ago, I was rotating my tires and noticed the drivers upper ball-joint boot is damaged or torn. I don't notice any kind of problems or changes in the steering but my question would be what can eventually happen? What will I notice? I know I must take it back to the stealership but am going to have to hold that off for awhile. What could happen noticably?

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2005 Liberty Sport 4X2 V6 3.7L Stone White 100% Stock

upper ball joint recall? I thought it was just the lower ball joints with the recall?

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Jason
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Yes DryBones, you are right. After double checking the re-call, they did change my lower joints. I guess I'll have to pay myself for the repair instead of putting it back onto the stealership. Anyway, what can I expect as far as problems from a torn boot on the 'upper' ball-joints? Anything noticable? Any danger? What could happen is the question.

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2005 Liberty Sport 4X2 V6 3.7L Stone White 100% Stock

Loss of lubrication which will eventually lead to failure of the unit - If you are going down the road at speed that could be a very bad thing You might see if there is someone in your area who has lifted their vehicle and replaced the upper control arms with Al's Arms, if they have the old ones laying around that would be a cheaper alternative than the dealer.

What would the dealer charge to replace the upper ball-joint or just the boot? I'm stuck with the dealer in my area because there is no other alternatives.

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2005 Liberty Sport 4X2 V6 3.7L Stone White 100% Stock

You have to replace the whole UCA,as the OEM set-up you can't rplaced just the balljoint or the boot.

That sounds expensive? How much? Has anyone done it lately? How about if I just get the boot from a junk-yard and have it installed and greased? Would that be an option to go a cheaper route?

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2005 Liberty Sport 4X2 V6 3.7L Stone White 100% Stock

Seriously, you're looking at AS MUCH labor to R&R the boot as you are the whole upper control arm, so you might as well d. Are you in Detroit? I have a tough time believing that the stealership is your only option.

meh_kick and swmpthng swapped out an upper control arm in the parking lot of an off road park...it's not that hard, if you SERIOUSLY want to save money, do it yourself.

i actually have one of my old upper A-arms...was saving it for any emergengy...but PM me and we can talk about a price if you are interested. The boot and joint are fine.

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L.O.S.T. #225019
2003 Sport 4x4
Patriot Blue w/ trail rash
Flex-Zilla 4" Lift
TrailRash hi-lift mounts
Other stuff you wish you had

Al's a-arms are only for lifted KJ's. Take this as a opportunity to lift your Liberty so you can get Al's a-arms!

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2002 Jeep KJ Sport 3.7L 4x4

245/75-16 Mastercraft Courser HSX, 16x7 Cragar, 2" OME MD Lift, ARB Bumper
AEM Brute Force Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler

Currently working on: Full service on transmission & bed-lining ARB bumper

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=84650

Thanks for the info guys. ThunderbirdJunkie, yes I am from Detroit but myself and my rig are living in Cancun, Mexico. Great place to live but not much options for work on a foriegn car except the dealership. Jeep4me99, thanks for the offer. Will a 2003 control arm fit on the 2005? I'll check the new price here first and let you know. Shipping to Cancun would offset the price somewhat. haha

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2005 Liberty Sport 4X2 V6 3.7L Stone White 100% Stock

The upper control arms are interchangeable - I got a pair from M&P40 when he installed Al's Arms on his '06 because I also had a torn boot. Took about an hour for me to mosey my way thru the removal and install. If you do the work yourself just remember 'pickle forks are a BAD THING'

I have the same problem with the ball joints on my 2004 Jeep Liberty. My ride is lifted with a Skyjacker suspension lift. The thing that I noticed was a squeaky noise when the front suspension compresses. Right now it’s in the shop and I’m having them replaced with Moog control arms for about $800.

The recall was for the lower ball joints but that is not to say that an upper recall won’t come about in the future. You can go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and file a complaint; I did. The NHTSA conducts investigations that lead to national recalls; you could get your vehicle fixed for free or get reimbursed for repairs that have already been completed if the agency finds a manufacturers defect.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Best of luck…

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Chris

$800 for the same as OEM UCA's(MOOG/TRE makes the OEM UCA's for Jeep) !

You can get brand new ones for less then $200 each and/or get a set of Al's UCA's for less then $400 for a set,takes less then a hour to install them.