DC, Dealer and Front Diffs

lilmatty · **Posted:** Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:54 pm

Brought my KJ in to the local dealer to see if they'd give me some love on the ball joints. No, they wouldn't inspect them for free so I walked away.

Got back to the beast and had 4 sales folks circling the unit. We got into a great discussion about built KJs and LOST. Handed out Norcal and West cards and invited them to the BBS. They also mentioned they are selling KJs like hotcakes. Also saw a $40,000 Commander. Sheesh!

Mentioned the weak front diff is an issue amongst us all and they all knew about the problem but were positive it has been fixed. Is there a DC rep on this list who can discuss this rumor?

:?:

jpzkj · **Posted:** Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:35 pm

"Is there a DC rep on this list who can discuss this rumor?"

Your more of an optimist that I imagined Matt !
:lol:

AtlanticLiberty · **Posted:** Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:30 pm

They wouldn't look at your ball joints for the recall??? Isn't that illegal or something??? Sounds like something I'd report to the BBB!

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:58 pm

AtlanticLiberty wrote:

They wouldn't look at your ball joints for the recall??? Isn't that illegal or something??? Sounds like something I'd report to the BBB!

He (like many others with ball joint problems) has I'm sure already had the recall performed. The problem is that the recall didn't properly eliminate the issue. The itty-bitty aluminum heat shield didn't fix anything as it isn't heat that is causing them to fail; it's poor design and the inability to grease them.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:36 am

Yeah, the recall involved putting on the heat shields but only replacing the BJs if they were defective at that point. Since my beast only had 10,000 on it when brought in the BJs were not worn. I mentioned to them that now that there's 40,000 on it would they please inspect them again as a safety issue. They said they'd have to charge me for that. At that point I said "Eat Me" (an ancient California surf expression) and left the "service' area.

Interestingly, I came home tonight to a voice message from their General Sales Manager asking if there's anything he can do to earn my business. Dang right!!! I'll call him on Monday.

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:01 am

Time to find a new dealership, MHO.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:26 am

Quote:

would they please inspect them again as a safety issue

Having used to have worked in a dealership (motorcycle but close enough), the dealership can get paid for inspecting the vehicle under warranty/. The get reimbursed for any warranty work they do but usually at a lower rate than thier posted hourly rate. That's why the want to charge you. A quick phone call to the DC csr service line and I'll bey ure ball joints get looked at. Especially if u mention "Well, since there was a recall but my ball joints weren't worn at the time, I'd be concerned for my safety and any possible liability issues that might arise if something breaks."

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:48 am

Well, at 40,000 miles there's no warranty left. My first stink will be to that sales manager who was dumb enough to ask to help. As far as going further with it I'll just do the skracing test and save myself the heartburn.

I live in the redwood country of norcal. The next closest stealership is 40 miles away.

I started the threas just to make note of the interested in a built Libby that delaer had; perhaps also to show the value of carrying your local club's biz card on the vehicle at all times. I keep a stack in my CD visor.

FYI you can download a stock biz card from http://lostkjnorcal.com/Forms/Forms.htm and edit it from there to suit your local needs.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:12 pm

My drivetrain warranty is 70K or 7 years ?? I thought that was standard.

At least they are easy ball joints to replace, maybe carry some spares under the seat.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:18 pm

3/36000 for the 02s

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:19 pm

3/36000 for 02's????? My stealership told me it was 3/30000 and I have an 02! Thank god i got 7/70000.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:26 pm

Well I hit the 3 years long before the 30,000 so it could have been that. This was in August 01.

Didn't get the extended coverage because I knew I'd be heavily modding it and the dealer would just try to beat me out of it.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:57 pm

fixing the derailed thread!

Anyone got info on the "fixed" front diff? What was wrong that was causing failures? Did htey ever figure it out? And what was the fix.

On mine, the bearings went, not the case. But the mechanic tod me it was WAAAy out of spec (backlash, that is) from factory.

But I was paranoid going off roading with it after that repair. So far so good (KNOCK WOOD PLEASE)

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:04 pm

Further To Adam's: Is the front diff crakcing problem fixed?

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:57 pm

lilmatty wrote:

Further To Adam's: Is the front diff crakcing problem fixed?

Any news?

lilmatty · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:02 pm

LA Times reviewed the Commander the other day. Claims its axles are Dana 44s.

But no news on the fixing. It would be nice if DC or a dealer would chime in here.

DC, Dealer and Front Diffs

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