Do the Heat Shields get replaced with the new ball joints?

NS02KJ · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 7:58 am

When you get the new ball joints, did it not say that for the 2002 and 2003 model year the HEAT Shields were to be replaced also? I have a 2002 that just had the recall done and the dealer said that the heat shields did not have to be replaced?

BUT

On the Safety Recall No. F23--Lower Ball Joints - that someone posted on here
(I forget who- it doesn't matter - but thanks anyway), it says on the bottom of page 1

Repair
Both front suspension lower balljoints must be replaced.
NOTE: Ball joint heat shields must also be installed on 2002 and 2003 model year vehicles that did not have Safety Recall C36 performed.

Now, I found out that when I had this first recall performed all they did was put on the heat shields and NOT replace the ball joints.

So, after all that , are the 2002 and 2003's getting their heat shields put on again with this recall?????

Thanks.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

No, re-read the info you posted. You had the first recall done (when the heat sheilds were put on) so you're good to go in that department. It says they only need to be installed if there aren't any heat sheilds to begin with. Replacing them wouldn't do anything...they're worthless to begin with. You're fine.

NS02KJ · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:50 am

Thanks Skyjump136 for getting back to me so soon.

The mechanic took off the heat shields that were put on the jeep for the first
recall and did not replace them for this latest recall. So NO heat shields are on my Jeep as of now.

Let me get this straight, the 2002 and 2003 Jeeps do not need the heat shields anymore with this latest recall??????????

Sorry, but I'm mixed up with the info on the Safety Recall!!!!! Why would they say about the heat shields for the 2002 and 2003's, if we wouldn't need them???????

Do others in these years still have these heat shields on their jeeps after getting their recent recalls performed??

Sorry for being so mixed up? I don't know about this dealer, if they are being straight with me or not. You all know how some dealers can be!! :roll:

[/i]

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:11 am

Wow, yes, your jeep SHOULD have the heatshields. That guy must of forgot to put them back on.. :wink:

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Yes, you should have them...sorry I didn't understand that part. Whether they are effective or not is still debatable, but they should be there.

NS02KJ · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:12 pm

Thanks guys,
It looks like I will have to go back to the wonderful dealership with page 7 of the Recall notice No. F23 that I printed off. I would think that they did read it when DC sent it to them. :!:

It does say that on 2002 and 2003 model year vehicles, inspect the steering knuckle for the presence of a ball joint heat shield. Vehicles without heat shields MUST have them installed.

I guess the mechanics don't get to read the recall notices either, because when I questioned him about these heat shields, he said with the new ball joints that they aren't necessary anymore and that they were just junk and didn't do anything anyway. Oh well!!!

Let's see what they say when I present them with a copy of what only they should know about. If that makes any sense, what I just said!!!!

So for all 2002 and 2003 Jeep owners, make sure you have your heat shields installed.

Being LOST is so wonderful, helpful, informative, etc.etc

ltwgs · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:46 pm

Can't verify it at the moment, but the dealer mechanic told me that the LBJ and heat shield are together as a new assembly (with a new part number). He says that the original heat shield recall gave me LBJ set #2, and that the new LBJ recall gave me set #3 respectively.

Even if this is incorrect, everyone should have the heat shield installed/replaced now. Judging by the design and composition of the heat shield, though, it should be no surprise that heat is still a key factor behind the "excessive wear & deterioration" cause associated with the latest recall. In lieu of all the elements to consider, there's been a lot of credibility to the argument in favor of using aftermarket greasable ball joints once and finally.

jaysus · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:24 pm

I just picked up the Jeep (2002 KJ unlimited) an hour ago or so and first thing I notice is that the heat shields are gone.

I went back in and asked about it, and was told that the clips rusted so bad that dude couldn't even get them back on. So he tossed them, and told me "I don't think you need them anyway". You don't think I need them, huh? That is reassuring.

So, do I need them or not? I'm about to call the service manager, and would like to sound a little smarter about this than I really am. It looks like that If I could get my hands on the actual recall notice, specifically page 7, that I would have sufficient ammunition for that battle. This is is, right? http://www.wjjeeps.com/kj/tsb/recall_kj_RCF23_06.pdf

Here is the before pic... the heat shields don't look all that rusted to me.

(please excuse my photoshop skills)

Once I take some "afters" I'll post 'em up.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:01 pm

Since the heatshields WERE the recall in 03, I would say DC thought they would do something.. :wink:

NS02KJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:16 am

Hi Jaysus,

Yes, in the original copy that the Dealers should have gotten (Safety Recall No. F23--Lower Ball Joints) it tells them on page 7 that the 2002 and 2003's Heat Shields ARE to be on the Jeep.

I don't know what what is going on here with these so-called Service Managers and mechanics but they don't know how to read.

I even had to call the 1 800# and complain to them about the Dealer. They put me on hold and called the Dealer with me waiting, to tell them that yes, the heat shields were to be on the Jeep.

The Service Manager called me back then and told me that if he read half the stuff DC sends out, he'd be lucky. :shock:

Also that the heat shields would be there anytime to just stop in and get them on. Now listen to this. Ball joints were put on, on Saturday, when they took heat shields off. Was told heat shields did not have to be on anymore and they didn't have any new ones in the stockroom.

Called DC on Monday about them. Dealer called me same day, told me to come in anytime. How did they get heat shields so soon???? They were going to put my old heat shields back on, after they told me they were all rusted and weren't good enough to put back on.!!!!!!!

OHH, those dealers. After this heat shield racket, new dealer for me.

jaysus · **Posted:** Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:11 pm

NS02KJ wrote:

Hi Jaysus,

Yes, in the original copy that the Dealers should have gotten (Safety Recall No. F23--Lower Ball Joints) it tells them on page 7 that the 2002 and 2003's Heat Shields ARE to be on the Jeep.

I don't know what what is going on here with these so-called Service Managers and mechanics but they don't know how to read.

OHH, those dealers. After this heat shield racket, new dealer for me.

Yeah, I am getting mine put back on - not sure how exactley at this point (since it happened late on a Friday). The Service Manger was out on Friday, but I talked to a Service advisor and convinced him that I was right (thanks for the tip about the recall notice document). I followed that up with a call to the General manager, who I am friendly with, and he gave me his word that he would make things right. I trust the GM.

Anyway - I think I am going to the other Jeep Dealer in town for this type of service going forward.

Here are the after pics for anyone interested:

hobbytrucker1966 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:00 pm

just had mine installed last week and the dealer put new lower bal joints and replaced my old shields he said that if my shields were worn they would have replaced them too , i got 208000 kms on it now still going strong

chefdab · **Posted:** Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:55 pm

I'm gonna have to go out and check mine now. I had the recall done about 3 weeks ago but I'm not sure if they put heat shields on or not. This was the first time they have been replaced so I didn't have any heat shield before.

jaysus · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:11 am

chefdab wrote:

I'm gonna have to go out and check mine now. I had the recall done about 3 weeks ago but I'm not sure if they put heat shields on or not. This was the first time they have been replaced so I didn't have any heat shield before.

It is very clearly stated in the recall notice that they are required. If you don't have them, get your hand on a copy of the recall, and make some phone calls.

My dealer is sending someone out to my office to install a set of heat shields "that they had in stock"... they are going to do it in the parking lot... on my recomendation. I can't wait to see what these heat sheild that they are bringing look like...

I still have not talked to the service manager though... it feels like he is avoiding me.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:16 am

Mine were replaced when they did the recall, they didnt have the part in so they went to one they had on the lot and switched them out. They wanted to make sure it was done before I left.

On a side note, it really makes me question cars on a dealers lot. How often do they just "borrow" parts from other vehicles and do they ever really get replaced? He said he would order it and replace it when it came in, but I dont know. Plus, this was the third Jeep he went too because the previous 2 didnt have them on it (pilfered from another time possibly?). Not that it matters in this case, but what if it was for a part that did matter?

chefdab · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:23 pm

jaysus wrote:

chefdab wrote:

I'm gonna have to go out and check mine now. I had the recall done about 3 weeks ago but I'm not sure if they put heat shields on or not. This was the first time they have been replaced so I didn't have any heat shield before.

It is very clearly stated in the recall notice that they are required. If you don't have them, get your hand on a copy of the recall, and make some phone calls.

But I had the recall done and I still haven't actually recieved my notice in the mail.

jaysus · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:57 pm

chefdab wrote:

jaysus wrote:

chefdab wrote:

I'm gonna have to go out and check mine now. I had the recall done about 3 weeks ago but I'm not sure if they put heat shields on or not. This was the first time they have been replaced so I didn't have any heat shield before.

It is very clearly stated in the recall notice that they are required. If you don't have them, get your hand on a copy of the recall, and make some phone calls.

But I had the recall done and I still haven't actually recieved my notice in the mail.

I was refering to the actual Saftey Recall Notice No. F23 -- Lower Ball Joints that DC sends to dealers. Here you go: http://www.wjjeeps.com/kj/tsb/recall_kj_RCF23_06.pdf

jaysus · **Posted:** Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:03 pm

A tech from the dealer just showed up and installed a brand new set of heat shields (where'd they come from???)

'

I'll snap some final photos when I get home.

habitTrail · **Joined:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:56 am **Posts:** 46

I had the recall done last tuesday. I noted that the shields were not installed. Service manager said they weren't needed.

I just printed the recall out (see quote below) and drove over to the dealer with it.

The service manager 1)denied he said they weren't needed. He said that what he said was, "they don't come with the kit". I pointed out the appropriate paragraphs that stated the shields were not included in the kit because very few of the 02 and 03 did not already have them, but that they MUST be installed and also pointed out the shield part number. 2)He pulled up on his computer what he had about the recall and it was not the same document as the link below. He said ya'll get more information than we do. I mentioned L.O.S.T. as my source for the information. When he offered the below listed document back to me, I told him to keep it if he wanted to and he graciously did.

He got one of his mechanics to put the shields on right then and there on the spot. All is good, wether the shields do any good or not, the dealer did C-Y-A themselves.

Thanks guys, I wouldn't have gotten this done or been aware of these issues without the help found from KJ people here on L.O.S.T.

I have not received anything from Chrysler about the recall. The dealer was not even the dealer I bought the Liberty from. I talked to the dealer about the recall on Friday 13 Oct and they had it done on Tuesday 17 Oct. I thought that was pretty outstanding service and the followup with the shields went well too.

I was living in Jacksonville Florida, but have retired from the military and am now living in Enterprise Alabama. The Five Star dealer is Tim Whitehead Chrysler Dodge Jeep Inc. I think I found a pretty good dealer to work with, I just need to sanity check whatever they do.

jaysus wrote:

http://www.wjjeeps.com/kj/tsb/recall_kj_RCF23_06.pdf

Do the Heat Shields get replaced with the new ball joints?

Who is online