Bob_Sheaves
Today, 05:44 PM
Post #17
What color are the clouds in your world?
Group: Members
Posts: 5,091
Joined: 19-September 02
Member No.: 734
I will try yto answer as best as I can, BUT I am still under a confidentiality agreement so some will be labeled "No Comment".
QUOTE(scook6 @ Aug 2 2006, 04:37 PM)
As a proud owner of one of the Liberty's in question, trying to cut through the innuendo etc.
What exactly is causing these failures? The joints are wearing out as predicted, according to projected criteria.
This is just a passing observance, since you can no longer put grease in these and they are "permanently lubed for life" are they dry and wearing out? No, that is an incorrect assumption. The specifications were changed, the durability cycles were changed, as well as the loading factors, all downwards from standard JTE specs. This was to follow a directive to reduce cost of SUV parts, because, as so many people have noted here, SUV's ain't used offroad generally. The point is, the joints have a full lifetime as designed and predicted. The issue is not with the parts being poorly made, the issue is A WRONG SPEC IS USED.
According to Bob, this seems to have originated by an argument between management and a now retired engineer? No- the Executive Engineer (just below VP of Engineering) of Vehicle Development (who was an old Jeep guy) and Financial (which had the backing of Bob Eaton).
So is this a design flaw? NO, the parts meet the spec.
What makes these ball joints so different than all the others out there? The wrong spec was used.
Or worse are they made by a supplier who is sending DCX shoddy parts? Again, there is NOTHING wrong with the parts-they perform exactly as predicted. The issue is with the specs.
Now for the really tough one. What company is making these? That seems to be the big mystery here. NO COMMENT, and it is really of no importance because they are not the problem.
Best regards....
--------------------
RW (Bob) Sheaves