Ball Joint Recall

therealjeepguy · **Joined:** Thu Jun 29, 2006 2:08 pm **Posts:** 6

I just read the thread about how to check if your LBJ's are bad. I just recently purchased a used 2005 KJ 4X4 with about 12,000 miles on it. From what I've gathered, I would have to subject it to more mileage before the problem reveals itself. If I were to inspect it later, let's say around 25,000 miles and find nothing, is that to say that I shouldn't expect it to be prone to the recall? Or should I just play the safe card and have it changed?
I'm sure there are many out there who have logged more than 100,000 miles on their Libby with no problem whatsoever. It's just hard to bring myself to continue driving with that in the back of my mind. I'm sure at 65+ MPH a separation can't be good at all! I don't like to take chances like that when my safety and the safety of my family are at stake.

raceinfan · **Posted:** Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:10 pm

mine were changed at 28,000

my wifes at 16,000

this was just a month ago both are 04's,the recall should be out sometime in sept.but I'd have them checked anyway,I know my dealer has stated no ball joint work will be done till the recall & the new joint show up unless there is a major problem that shows up say someone losses a wheel or something

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:29 am

I was sitting in a local restaurant having dinner with my wife when she says "Look, there goes another one!" I turn and look out the window to see what she's talking about...

A silver Liberty Limited ... on a flat bed tow truck... right front wheel laying out ... LBJs got another one :evil:

Tradewindkj · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:16 pm

Therealjeepguy

Quote:

I'm sure there are many out there who have logged more than 100,000 miles on their Libby with no problem whatsoever.

Not true, this is a major design failure!!! This group has been at the front lines for years concerning the LFB and now they ( DC ) have no choice. Mine were replaced in the 04 recall on my 03 KJ and I still had a separation after a great excursion in Death Valley. My luck, it happen when I was pulling out of a gas station.

Take this information very seriously and get those ball joints taken care of when you get the recall notice.

tarkus · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:55 am

Tradewindkj wrote:

Therealjeepguy

Quote:

I'm sure there are many out there who have logged more than 100,000 miles on their Libby with no problem whatsoever.

Not true, this is a major design failure!!! .

I have 145,000 Km (about 90,00 miles) on mine with original LBJ's. I keep checking them often and will replace them when I feel any play in them.

It is a very important problem to look for but no, not every Libby will have LBJ failure.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:34 pm

True, not every KJ will have the failure, but I felt alot better finding out that mine had play during a service check instead of finding out the way Jim did. :shock:

mvef · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:37 am

Are you sure that the ball joint failing is a major design flaw? Could it be the lift kits and the bigger tires that people put on their Libertys.I mean I don't believe that it would fail just like that unless you did something to make it wear out so much that it fails or your driving habits like driving too aggressively on the trail.My 02 Liberty has almost 70,000 on it and I don't have any problems with it.It doesn't have a lift or bigger tires,just lots of skid plates and good recovery equipment.

_________________________________________
2002 Black Liberty Limited
stock Mt tires
lots of skid plates
factory limited slip rear

corwyyn · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:29 am

mvef wrote:

Are you sure that the ball joint failing is a major design flaw? Could it be the lift kits and the bigger tires that people put on their Libertys.

There have been plenty of stock libertys that have had ball joint failures, so it doesn't appear that changing the suspension dynamics or tires are root causes. They *may* contribute but it hasn't been researched exstensively enough to say for certain.

mvef · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:19 am

I feel that they should do extensive research on lifted vehicles and larger tires and find out whether they wear out suspension components more than stock.

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:17 am

mvef wrote:

I feel that they should do extensive research on lifted vehicles and larger tires and find out whether they wear out suspension components more than stock.

I believe a lift and bigger tires *will* wear out suspension components more than stock. Why? Because the changed dynamics, weight, and tire size. All this contributes to different measurements which in turn will be outside stock measurements.

Not really sure what your looking to find by doing some type of extensive research, but its the responsibility of the owner to understand the changes. By doing so you can maintain your vehicle better by providing it the proper service based on your modified equipment. I have a local shop that services modified 4x4 vehicles. I won't take mine to the local shop that only works on stock and says to me "Man that's a sweet lift. We don't see many lifted 4x4's around here".... :shock:

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:08 am

therealjeepguy wrote:

I just read the thread about how to check if your LBJ's are bad. I just recently purchased a used 2005 KJ 4X4 with about 12,000 miles on it. From what I've gathered, I would have to subject it to more mileage before the problem reveals itself. If I were to inspect it later, let's say around 25,000 miles and find nothing, is that to say that I shouldn't expect it to be prone to the recall? Or should I just play the safe card and have it changed?
I'm sure there are many out there who have logged more than 100,000 miles on their Libby with no problem whatsoever. It's just hard to bring myself to continue driving with that in the back of my mind. I'm sure at 65+ MPH a separation can't be good at all! I don't like to take chances like that when my safety and the safety of my family are at stake.

It's a recall, which means that once they announce it, they will do the work free of charge. Why would anybody refuse a free BJ? :-P

Wahoo650 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:46 am

For what it's worth, mne were replaced at 18,000 under the original recall back in 2003. Those replacments failed at 54,000 (that's 36,000 miles of use). I was still running the original tires for 50,000 of those miles, with the last 4,000 on my Revo's, which are in the stock original size.

I do believe changing wheel offsets, spacers, and the like may increase the risk to these failing, but my personal experience tells me, if they are going to go bad, they will.

I would also expect DCX to reject claims on vehicles that have been modified. Hopefully they won't, but don't be surprised if they do.

My .02 euros.

Matt

priell3 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:01 am

mvef wrote:

Are you sure that the ball joint failing is a major design flaw? Could it be the lift kits and the bigger tires that people put on their Libertys.I mean I don't believe that it would fail just like that unless you did something to make it wear out so much that it fails or your driving habits like driving too aggressively on the trail.My 02 Liberty has almost 70,000 on it and I don't have any problems with it.It doesn't have a lift or bigger tires,just lots of skid plates and good recovery equipment.

Back in the Winter I saw an elderly woman in her KJ - in her driveway - left front suspension on the ground. She didn't look too aggressive to me.

MoladoGuy · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:07 am

priell3 wrote:

Back in the Winter I saw an elderly woman in her KJ - in her driveway - left front suspension on the ground. She didn't look too aggressive to me.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:35 am

Wahoo650 wrote:

For what it's worth, mne were replaced at 18,000 under the original recall back in 2003. Those replacments failed at 54,000 (that's 36,000 miles of use). I was still running the original tires for 50,000 of those miles, with the last 4,000 on my Revo's, which are in the stock original size.

The original recall added a heat shield and replaced the ball joints with the same ones again.

Quote:

I would also expect DCX to reject claims on vehicles that have been modified. Hopefully they won't, but don't be surprised if they do.

This isn't a claim, it's a recall. Regardless of the condition of the ball joint on the vehicle, they will be replacing it. This is different than the last recall which was an "if it is compromised, replace it". They have acknowledged that all the ball joints are compromised and are replacing all of them, regardless of condition, vehicle modification, or otherwise.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:25 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

They have acknowledged that all the ball joints are compromised and are replacing all of them, regardless of condition, vehicle modification, or otherwise.

I'm glad they are finally stepping up to the plate here and taking responsibility! It's so "un-D/C" for them to contribute a mechanical failure to their own parts.

Ball Joint Recall

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