LBJ Questions

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:24 am

Well, I got my notice in the mail and the Jeep is going in on Friday to have the LBJ's replaced. Since I dont really trust any of the Jeep dealers around here, I was hoping someone could let me know what should be done (if anything) other than the LBJ's.

Do I need an alignment after they are replaced and if so, should the dealership do that for free as well?

Is there anything else that should be done or replaced that would be associated with the LBJ's?

On a side note, I see people replace the factory LBJ's with MOOG's which I dont know what that is or what it means. Is this something that I should look into as well? Is this a replacement that will solve the problem going forward?

Thanks

Ol' Fart · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:21 pm

Joe Jeep Owner...there is nothing else that is required when they replace the LBJ. They don't change any of the alignment settings. The Moog LBJ that is referred to here is just a brand name. Those ball joints are greasable and are of a better quality, so I'm told. Just had mine done at the local dealer. The only difference I could tell is that the new LBJ have a blue band that you can see under the A-arm after they are installed.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:48 pm

Moog is just a brand of balljoints thats alot better than the stockers or whatever they are using in the recall. :wink:

You shouldnt need an alignment but I would ask them if they would do it for free anyway. They may think it needs it then you would get a free alignment? Worth a try.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:57 pm

Thanks guys, just checking. Our dealers are a little shady (say it aint so) and tend to add on a lot of things that arent necessary and not being familiar with it, I wanted to be prepared.

I will play dumb (not hard actually because I have no clue) and say I though the alignment was included. I need one anyway and it could work!

So the new LBJ has a blue stripe, is there any difference or a temp fix? Maybe I will get them replaced and find someone that will install a better brand or something for me.

Thanks again.

nolakj · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:13 pm

Since this is the 2nd recall related to LBJs, I personally did not want to ever have to worry about my front end basically collapsing ever ever again. I had the Moog LBJs installed. They are extremely beefy. I could actually feel a little difference (maybe psycological) in the front end. Who's to say the replacements won't be crap? Just MHO......

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:42 pm

True, I though you meant that they are replacing them with the same kind. I have been a little worried all week ever since I got the notice, that's all I think about when I drive to work in the morning and up until this point I didnt think twice about it.

I will have them replaced this Friday, then look into buying the MOOG ones that everyone has. I would rather pay someone to put them in and know I'm safe (or safer) then wondering all the time.

This doesnt happen with that brand or it happends less often?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:00 pm

Joe Jeep Owner wrote:

True, I though you meant that they are replacing them with the same kind. I have been a little worried all week ever since I got the notice, that's all I think about when I drive to work in the morning and up until this point I didnt think twice about it.

I will have them replaced this Friday, then look into buying the MOOG ones that everyone has. I would rather pay someone to put them in and know I'm safe (or safer) then wondering all the time.

This doesnt happen with that brand or it happends less often?

Ive never heard of anyone having problems with moogs, but im not sure how long anyone has had them.

chefdab · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:11 pm

The MOOGS could still fail if you don't keep them lubricated. Make sure that every time you get an oil change, you have them greased at the same time.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:55 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

You shouldnt need an alignment but I would ask them if they would do it for free anyway. They may think it needs it then you would get a free alignment? Worth a try.

According to the '03 FSM, the last two steps of an LBJ installation are as follows:

(9) Check the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(10) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

Since that is what the factory service manual calls for, that is what I am asking for. In fact, I am printing it out right now so I can take it tomorrow when I go to get them done. Wish me luck

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:31 am

corwyyn wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

You shouldnt need an alignment but I would ask them if they would do it for free anyway. They may think it needs it then you would get a free alignment? Worth a try.

According to the '03 FSM, the last two steps of an LBJ installation are as follows:

(9) Check the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(10) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

Since that is what the factory service manual calls for, that is what I am asking for. In fact, I am printing it out right now so I can take it tomorrow when I go to get them done. Wish me luck

GOod idea.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:31 am

Good find, is that in the owner's manual?

If not, is it on the net somewhere or could you post it so I could bring it also?

I called the dealership back and asked them and they said it wasnt necessary but if THEY FELT it needed it then they would do it. If I could find that, I can show them when I go in.

I hate going to the dealer, this is my third one I'm trying. I havent found one yet that I really trust (if that could ever really happen).

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:11 am

JJsKJ wrote:

corwyyn wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

You shouldnt need an alignment but I would ask them if they would do it for free anyway. They may think it needs it then you would get a free alignment? Worth a try.

According to the '03 FSM, the last two steps of an LBJ installation are as follows:

(9) Check the vehicle ride height (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(10) Perform a wheel alignment (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

Since that is what the factory service manual calls for, that is what I am asking for. In fact, I am printing it out right now so I can take it tomorrow when I go to get them done. Wish me luck

GOod idea.

I was told (not by the dealer but by a respectable shop) that the alignment is usually done after a ball joint replacement. Now, this doesnt mean that all dealers are created equal! :evil:

I would certainly ask them though.

-Nick

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