Cinci OH - Dealership problems on Warranty Repairs

meh_kick · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:42 am

Here's the scoop:

My 2004 Renegade (65,000 miles, used for towing/farm work, moderate trail driving) has been making an oscillating grinding noise when driving 50 - 55 mph (kind of like the sound you'd hear from a refrigerator when it's pumping freon, only louder). This noise is most noticable when the engine is cold, when driving uphill or when under load.

I've been trying to get this fixed through the dealer (Northgate Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) since 33k on the odometer, but now that the power train warranty is almost up, I've really been concentrating my efforts on it.

Here's what they've told me and what's been done.
1) 33K - "Tires are cupping and need to be replaced. This is likely the cause of the noise." <-- Doubtful b/c I rotate tires every other oil change, but I replaced them anyway.
2) 35K - "Grinding noise coming from boot on front drive shaft. Shaft removed and greased to eliminate noise." <-- Actually worked well for a while. But the grinding noise did return.
3)65K - "Grinding noise again coming from drive shaft. Part has failed must be replaced." <-- Now that I'm out of the 36/36 warranty, I had to pay 100 deductable. Jeep was in the shop for 8 days. [Ball joints replaced due to recall at this time.]
4)65K+ - "Grinding noise not fixed by drive shaft replacement. Suggest replace bearings in front end." <-- Replaced at no cost, covered under last work order. Now my front end is out of alignment, steering wheel is cocked to the left, grinding noise is more noticable than ever.

In the mean time(3), I asked them to make repairs due to P0440 error. Check engine light came on, and Autozone read the exact same codes. I returned to dealer(4) and they told me that they pulled two different codes P0301, P0304 and told me that the engine had 4 good runs since the codes were last displayed...

Bottom line, I need a new dealer to fix this mess.

Anyone in the Cincinnati / Dayton, OH area that has read this rant, or anyone else with a thought or suggestions, please let me know.

--Mitch

elephantrider · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:27 am

take the jeep to jake sweeney jeep on the corner of kemper and 747 in west chester.

ask for gio dunford, tell him i recommended him to you.
he's a really good service mechanic, the dealership is lift friendly, you should be able to have your issues fixed right up.

pm me and ill give you his cell phone # so you can call before you take it up there.

k99jk99j · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:03 am

i haven't had any problems with jeff wyler in ft thomas.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:13 am

I'll be calling both dealerships this afternoon. Thanks for the info.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:17 am

How many times have you changed the oils in the front and rear diffs, tcase, and tranny?

I cannot think of why the alignment would of gotten off with a bearing change? Did you check to make sure the bearings were actually changed?

meh_kick · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:23 am

I have no idea why the alignment is off either, that's part of why I'm so fed up. I don't know if the tore the whole front end apart looking for damaged parts or what. At this point, I'm suspecting them of telling me that they're changing a bunch of parts with the hope that either they'll get it right, or I'll quit bugging them.

I haven't changed Tranny fluid or front diff. Transfer case and rear diff at 42K (done at a shop).

No i haven't looked. It was pouring last night when I got it home. I'll look today if it lets up...

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Just out of curious what side is the noise coming from Passenger or Driver. I've had a similar problem that I was able to hunt down and fix myself. There is a little type of slip joint on the passenger side shaft. Actually, its not a real slip joint just the way the shaft is made. It is past the inner CV as you go toward the middle of the Jeep. I ended up taking the shaft out and greasing it. That seems to fix the problem. Problem is mud and dirt accumulate in the little joint and start making noise. There is no boot or grease in it from the factory.

If you want to drive up to Dayton, one weekend we can hunt for the source together. I have a few ideas. If it is something simple we can fix it right there.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:22 pm

I spoke to service manager at Jake Sweeney, he's gonna have me bring it in on Tuesday. Unfortunately, he tells me that they've got to treat it like a new vehicle in their shop, so I'll need to pay the initial $80 inspection cost. Other costs will be billed to the previous work order.

PS While looking through an earlier bill for the work I found a quote in the service dept. comments: "Problem not 100% fixed." This further leads me to believe that they're just hunting and pecking for something to replace.

--Mitch

elephantrider · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:35 pm

hopefully they will be a bit more helpful than the last dealership.

let us know how it goes.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 3:42 pm

Eddo wrote:

Just out of curious what side is the noise coming from Passenger or Driver. I've had a similar problem that I was able to hunt down and fix myself. There is a little type of slip joint on the passenger side shaft. Actually, its not a real slip joint just the way the shaft is made. It is past the inner CV as you go toward the middle of the Jeep. I ended up taking the shaft out and greasing it. That seems to fix the problem. Problem is mud and dirt accumulate in the little joint and start making noise. There is no boot or grease in it from the factory.

If you want to drive up to Dayton, one weekend we can hunt for the source together. I have a few ideas. If it is something simple we can fix it right there.

Are you talking about the front CV joints? Or the drivelines?

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Eddo wrote:

Just out of curious what side is the noise coming from Passenger or Driver. I've had a similar problem that I was able to hunt down and fix myself. There is a little type of slip joint on the passenger side shaft. Actually, its not a real slip joint just the way the shaft is made. It is past the inner CV as you go toward the middle of the Jeep. I ended up taking the shaft out and greasing it. That seems to fix the problem. Problem is mud and dirt accumulate in the little joint and start making noise. There is no boot or grease in it from the factory.

If you want to drive up to Dayton, one weekend we can hunt for the source together. I have a few ideas. If it is something simple we can fix it right there.

Are you talking about the front CV joints? Or the drivelines?

passenger cv

meh_kick · **Posted:** Tue Dec 05, 2006 6:51 pm

My dad took took the libby in to the shop while I was at work. They told him that when the differential side bearing was replaced, a steering gear was incorrectly reinstalled... I'm not sure what that was all about.

Right now the garage has the front end apart. They know something's not right, just trying to pinpoint it all now... Hopefully I'll know something more tomorrow.

--Mitch

meh_kick · **Posted:** Thu Dec 07, 2006 5:48 pm

So I got the Jeep back.... Steering wheel is still crooked, grinding is still significant, my wallet is $42 lighter...

The service mechanic tells me that the sounds heard at highway speeds are common for Liberty's with similar equipment package (tow group mainly). And that I need an alignment/tire balance to correct the steering wheel and drifting.

So three weeks without my Jeep and hours on the phone, I am out 150 bucks and I have more problems than when I started.

I think I'll just get a lift now that the warranty's up, buy some noisy tires and try to cover it up.... Seriously though, I'm pretty upset with the dealerships around here.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:49 pm

I call shanannigans. I've got the factory tow package and just hit 70K miles. I have never heard a noise even remotely like that, while towing our trailer or not.

Cinci OH - Dealership problems on Warranty Repairs

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