Front differential CV shaft.. stealership fun

MtnRunner · **Joined:** Wed May 28, 2008 8:32 pm **Posts:** 89

Ok, so I was driving home from work the other day and my 2003 Liberty started rattling violently.. almost like a wheel was about to fly off or a flat. Then, after driving a while the symptom just went away.

I still took it to the dealership today and they said I have a failed Front Differential Constant Velocity Drive Shaft. Or something like that... They also said my front pinion seal is leaking (no idea what these two items are)

They quoted $550 for the drive shaft and $630 + Labor for whatever part that pinion seal is linked too. I dont remember exactly what the pinion part was.

I have a feeling I am being "taken" because this all seems a little ridiculous. Especially after the service rep said I should just trade it in and they can put me in a 2010 for $318 a month!! pshaw.. I hate to say it but I probably will never own a chrysler product again.

Advice? Thanks.

kskj · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:06 pm

You can get a drive shaft for under $280 and you can put it in in 20 min or less.

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:45 pm

He's talking about CV shafts.... :wink:

A new one from the dealership will be over 300....
$600+ for labor is too much in my opinion...
I've saved myself over $2500 in labor by replacing my own CV's if that's the case... :BANANA:

Get a remanned one at napa for $70 Plus core charge
Takes about 2 hrs to do (including new seal)

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

Pinion seal is where the front DS connects to the diff...

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:21 am

03CDKJ wrote:

He's talking about CV shafts.... :wink:

No the front drive shaft has two CV joints. The back (TC side) one doesn't use the normal accordion style boot and fails.

The best advise I can give is to make your own repairs, hire a smaller local shop that is known to do good work if really needed. The dealer should be avoided based on costs alone.

The front drive shaft is held in place with 6 bolts on both ends and is fairly easy to R+R without touching anything else on the vehicle despite what the manuals say.

We repaired Eugene's last fall. IIRC, it cost us less than a couple hundred to have a new CV put on the shaft at a local drive line shop. With us doing the R+R on the Jeep.

RockAuto is a good source for replacement shafts. Will cost more than having the shaft repaired, but the whole repair process can be done in one day instead of waiting for the DL shop. (Jeep is drivable while it's out though.)
2003 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT Drive Shaft

I haven't had to do a pinion seal myself yet, but they don't read like they are hard to do.
2003 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT Differential Pinion Seal

MtnRunner · **Joined:** Wed May 28, 2008 8:32 pm **Posts:** 89

Thank you all for the light. Its appreciated! Especially you ihatemybike :BANANA:

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:16 pm

No prob. The money you save gets added to your Jeep travel/adventure budget.

If you are going to try the repair yourself, we can help with a PDF FSM, more online tips, and phone support if needed.
(PM for #)

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:26 pm

The driveshaft should be easy - if you can change oil you can change a driveshaft.

I'd be more cautious on the Pinion seal -
if you change the ring/pinion spacing - it can cause a lot of problems
it shouldn't - but I'd double check
if you're not comfortable - it might be worth paying a shop
but call and price check - they should be able to give ballpark numbers over the phone.

Front differential CV shaft.. stealership fun

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