Issues with Ball Joints and Steering rack

[jblake1986]

OK so about 14 months ago I was driving down the road and my Ball joints broke making my tire go almost completely horizontal. I had it towed to the dealership close to my house and they tried to make me pay for the repair that was under a recall anyway. After fighting with them for a week I called customer service and they seemed to get everything straightened out fairly quick, but when I went to pick up my vehicle they also told me that my steering rack was leaking(censored). I asked what was entailed to get that fixed and they told me $1200. Well Friday my steering rack leak became a small stream,i.e. I have no power steering. I had it towed to a local shop and while telling this to a few friends/family that worked for chysler they told me this is common after the ball joints break and that when they broke it could of very well caused the leak as I had not heard of any issues with the rack before the initial issue. So I called customer service first and pleaded my case and they told me that it could of been a posibility and that they would have someone contact me within 24 hrs. Now my question here is has anyone else had this issue and is what my friends/family telling me true? I do not completely understand it, but it seems to make sense. I really do appreciate all the help you can provide

 

[Simpleman]

If one of your ball joints went and the tire went horizontal it may have pulled the inner tie rod out to hard and broke a seal. That would be the only thing I could think of. I replaced my rack and pinion assembly myself for $240.00 Not a fun job but it wasn`t that bad once you figure out that you have to loosen the front dif mounts on the passenger side to get the old one out and the new one in. Of course a front end alignment is necessary afterward.

 

[Midgear]

I pray to god that this doesn't happen to me eek2.gif ... mine make alot of noise going down the road over bumps.

sounds to me that if you hadn't had the ball joints replaced under recall, and they broke, chrysler should help you out and fix it- BUT- no hostility intended here, why did you wait till it broke to take it in and get em' replaced?

 

[LibertyTC]

Don't panic, you may be surprised to hear that they will honour the repair to the rack as well. One thing to note and ask, if after the lower ball joint replacement, did they complete a front wheel alignment?
Unfortunate but true the dealer parts still have not been upgraded to have zerk (grease) fittings, which is what causes failures. Get Moog ball joints with zerk fitting folks.
Also investigation into upper ball joints as well, they lack zerk fittings too.
http://www.insideline.com/jeep/liberty/2008/feds-upgrade-investigation-of-jeep-liberty-for-upper-ball-joint-failures.html
Anyone doing a lift should consider automatically Als-A-Arms to be a must for angles and having a replaceable ball joint with zerk fitting.

 

[jblake1986]

I had moved a few times and not seen the recall. I spoke to Jeep and they told me it was too long since I had the ball joints replaced to pay for the cost of the rack replacement. I am so frustrated. Is their anything I can do at this point. The senior person told me there was nothing they can do.

 

[offroadohio]

If one of your ball joints went and the tire went horizontal it may have pulled the inner tie rod out to hard and broke a seal. That would be the only thing I could think of. I replaced my rack and pinion assembly myself for $240.00 Not a fun job but it wasn`t that bad once you figure out that you have to loosen the front dif mounts on the passenger side to get the old one out and the new one in. Of course a front end alignment is necessary afterward.

You do not have to touch the front dif to remove the rack.
remove the sept belt and oil filter and cooling fan, remove the inner tie rods, un hook the steering shaft, and PS lines, then remove the 2 bolts holding it and fish it out between rad and engine.
Ive ha dmine out twice. the 2nd time I removed and reisntalled it in 35 minutes, on a lift with air tools.