Liberty Weaknesses?

bassman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:09 pm

I was just trying to get some feedback on what are the weaknesses of our beloved Jeep Liberty's? I guess what I mean is what area's are prone to fail/break/wear? I use my Liberty as a daily driver as well as for fun and I was just trying to identify what area's I could strengthen (or at least be aware of) to help prevent potential problems. I know you can't always prevent something from breaking - there are so many factors like driving stlye, terrain, etc... that play a role. I just was looking for general info on things I could do to maybe "beef-up" my Liberty to try and prevent as many headaches as possible!

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:16 pm

of course I am sure you know of the lower ball joints, replace with greaseable Moogs
some have problems with the upper ball joints as well when lifted, mine at 70,000 plus lifted were still tight but I replaced with Als Gen 4.5 cause I could.
Front Diff, some have blown it but not really much you can do escept maybe the diff collar which may or may not help, a locker which should help
Tires that come stock are junk and should be upgraded right away

theres a small start

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:37 pm

get a DTT for the front more expensive than the collar but makes a HUGE difference off road and makes it less likely that your front is gonna break

bassman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:45 pm

I am planning on getting Al's A-arms - but that is a good point to replace the lower ball joints as well. As you can probably tell I am still pretty new at this and I'm learning as I go!

Ok, explain for the idiot (me) what a DTT is?

pokefan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:46 pm

Detroit TrueTrac

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:46 pm

Detroit Tru Trac, its pretty much a glorified limited slip for the front and the only one for the front besides the ARB air locker which is a lot more

bassman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:03 pm

Ah hah! So a Detroit Tru Trac is not a locker but a limited slip? This may be a dumb question but does that strengthen your front axle? Obviously it helps with traction - but I was just a little confused as to whether this would actually help or put your front axle under more stress?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:08 pm

in most csaes where a diff has blown it was due to spinning the front tire(s) and then when one suddenly caught it blew it apart, the thinking is that with a limited slip or any locker it will lock up instead of spinning and the chances are better that you will make it home with out blowing the diff

simple explanation I know but :roll:

bassman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:22 pm

Hey you're not going to offend me with simple explanations - it just helps me learn that much more! So would you have any suggestions on where to get one if I were intereseted? How much? Also, do you run a Detroit Locker in the rear? I have considered putting in a rear locker - but wasn't sure which one was good for Liberty's?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:29 pm

ARB of course are great for the rear since you can turn them on and off
Detroit Tru Trac is also a great locker
Powertrax ia a good alternative as well

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:29 pm

4Wheel Parts for $387 shipped and that was the cheapest I could find anywhere, I dont have anything in the rear yet I hopeing either the Aussie locker or a DTT if I can find one and if not Ill get the Detroit locker

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:33 pm

I will be installing a TT in the front and ARB in the rear sometime down the road, TT should not change the feeling in the steering that much while driving, and the ARB I can turn on and off as I see fit :wink:

think it should work out great for what I need it for

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:47 pm

I have the DTT up front and it's awesome. I am not going to comment any further about the Detraoit Locker for the rear.....

bassman · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:59 pm

So having the DTT up front doesn't change much as far as daily road driving conditions? Like most people, I need it to be road friendly as well as perform off-road.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:03 pm

FWIW my front diff blew up With a DTT inside.

Rear upper joint on the wishbone has shown to be an issue w/ some so keep an eye on it.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:13 pm

on road you cant even tell its there, other than when you turn the steering wheel does go back to center a little bit quicker but nothing thats is a big deal

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:57 pm

I also blew my front housing, along with the ring & pinion gears, my True Trac, however, survived. :lol:

I now have an aluminum collar on the housing and so far so good.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:28 pm

KJ04 wrote:

I also blew my front housing, along with the ring & pinion gears, my True Trac, however, survived. :lol:

I now have an aluminum collar on the housing and so far so good.

I have a aluminum shaft collar on mine too, and though I did not blow my front differential this past weekend, there is some question about what look to potentially be stress fractures on my transfer case from the shock being transfered down the drive shaft.

We shall see. Hopefully that is not what it is...

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:05 pm

A few things that I am looking at modifying on mine to make it more "durable" on the trail:

Reinforced/armored rear shock mounts (Ask Beforedawn why)
strengthening the rear control arm mount with a small skid (Like Rubigades)
Diff collar (which has been mentioned)
Possible reinforcements welded on the Front diff (maybe)
Reinforced unibody and control arms (have a good dent in my control arm already)
Multiphasic sheilding from Star Trek (when it becomes available)

Rescu2000

ARBSeth · **Posted:** Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:09 pm

The Front diff blows when the pinion "Walks" up the ring gear when it gets loaded up with torque. No locker is going to help this other than keeping you moving in the first place which prevents the hopping effect that causes them to load up. The Collar strengthens the housing so when the pinion does walk, it's less likely to crack the housing.

I've only seen one blow... Steve was hopping up a shelf and on the third hop... Boooom! Umm, not to throw the nameless Steve under the bus, but it was all driver on that one. No locker or collar will help you if you hop the front end up and down on an Aluminum housing... it just won't take it. So keep that in mind and it'll be fine.

Liberty Weaknesses?

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