BALL JOINT FAILURE INFO...PLEASE READ

skrracing · Dec 21, 2005

OK guys...I know I keep harping on this...But if you own a KJ this is a real problem that must be dealt with.

I just got off the phone with the NHTS and they have had reports on other failures that are not 02-03s...

If you had a failure or early replacement...PLEASE report the failure or early replacement so that we can get other years listed for the recall. The stupid heat shield did nothing to solve this problem. This would include an early replacement...A ball joint should last many years...Not just 25000 miles.

Here is a link to make a report...PLEASE do so if you had a failure.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Be sure to include all the info they need and an email address.

I looked at just the 04s and their was 7 failures...yes 7...and those are just the one reported... I know 4 others guys just myself that had a failure and did not report it...Please do this ...it will help or save a lot of folks a lot of problems in the future.

I hate to bash anyone but this is a real safty issue and needs to be addressed. I love the KJ and plan to stick with it...but this is a problem we all need to keep in mind.

Thanks. later...Clint

grogiefrog · Dec 21, 2005

Clint, thanks for the post. Other then having a shop check for this, could you share with everyone how to check the ball joints?

EDIT: Please see this link on how to check your ball joints:
http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2757

Thanks again Clint!

Bennett · Dec 21, 2005

Thanks for the heads up.

Bennett

-=JoN=- · Dec 21, 2005

thanks for the heads up clint...i should sticky this, until it boils over

jeepheep · Dec 23, 2005

I have a little vibe in the steering at highway speeds could that be my problem and i have 25000 on an 05 renny?

2003KJ · Dec 23, 2005

jeepheep said:
I have a little vibe in the steering at highway speeds could that be my problem and i have 25000 on an 05 renny?

Mine started as a little vibe on the highway...new tires didn't solve it. Now its about 50x worse....gonna hit the dealer ASAP the x-mas holiday is over.

oh yeah, 28K on an 03 Sport....september build date....meaning not listed in the recall ](*,)

Trodo · Dec 23, 2005

I'm getting mine replaced before the end of the year (15k Miles), and I believed it wasn't going to be a big deal, it is.
But you'll hear a "klunk" or "klunking" when they start to go, according to the Jeep Dealership Mechanic.

Update: Well they replaced them both, took about 2 hours, no charge, they even washed my Jeep and smiled. The LBJ's look slightly different. There's a yellow ring around the top portion and grey lower. Different than the whiteish and metal ones. I hope these go more than 15K-20k.

jackie · Dec 24, 2005

If there is a problem with them, you shouldn't have to pay for the repair... right?

Trodo · Dec 24, 2005

jackie said:
If there is a problem with them, you shouldn't have to pay for the repair... right?

I would say 99% of the time, correct. That 1% is a dealership that doesn't want to do warranty repairs, so find yourself another dealership.

WildStar · Apr 15, 2006

We are new to the world of Jeeps and this forum. Nevertheless, immediately after purchasing a used '02 Liberty Limited last fall we took it to a local dealer. They ran the serial number, reviewed the history and we were informed that they would replace the ball joints....which they did at no charge.

jfortier777 · May 22, 2006

I have heard the ball joint horror tales since before I bought my 05 Ren, Does anyone know if there are any reported case in later models 05-06? I am worried a little, but I have always half-intended to replace them anyway.

Also, Im no super mechanic but when I removed my ball joints while installing my lift kit I kinda popped the boot and made probably a pinhole sized...hole. If squeezed properly grease will ooze out but I didnt think It would be a big deal. No problems yet after 3k miles on the lift; should I be worried?

andrea70 · May 24, 2006

I have installed the +1.5" OME but there wasn't need to remove the lower ball joint as described in my site....

I also have replaced the original lower ball joints with the MOOG ones: my 2003 KJ was recalled (recall C36) by Jeep and replaced at 12.000 km. At 30.000 km i replaced with MOOG because the play was over 1.5 mm (the maximum acceptable)

Marlon_JB2 · Jun 5, 2006

To the dealership! #-o

MoladoGuy · Jun 7, 2006

Multiple complaints on 2004 Jeep Liberty Ball Joint Failure in the last 2 weeks:

CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10158952

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Details: I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT GAVE WAY. FROM THIS THE INSIDE WHEEL WAS SCORED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SCRAPED THE GROUND, THE AXLE CAME FREE FROM THE DRIVE, LEAKING FLUID, AND DAMAGING THE BOOT. *NM

Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 06/02/2006 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 6/4/2006

[File] your own complaint on this model car.

Yes, include on Custom Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create Custom Report CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10158594

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Details: THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ONE WHEEL AS WELL. THE TOW DRIVER HAD TO PERFORM SOME SERVICE IN ORDER TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER. ONCE THERE, BOTH BALL JOINTS AND WHEEL WERE REPLACED. *NM

Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 05/16/2006 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 5/30/2006

[File] your own complaint on this model car.

Yes, include on Custom Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create Custom Report CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10158221

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Details: THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING,THE ARM CAME DOWN ONTO THE RIM OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE RIM TO SHREAD,MY HUSBAND TURN THE WHEEL AND THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT HITTING THE CURB, AND THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT,HAVE ASKED THE DEALER BEFORE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND THE ANSWER WAS NO. *JB

Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 05/20/2006 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 5/24/2006

[File] your own complaint on this model car.

Yes, include on Custom Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create Custom Report CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10158157

Component: SUSPENSION

Details: MY 2004 JEEP LIBERTY, WITH 37,000 MILES, FAILED WHEN THE FRONT BALL JOINT SNAPPED, SENDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE INTO THE CONCRETE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THE OTHER BALL JOINT WAS READY TO SNAP AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON LIBERTY PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER AND MY LAWYER. HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER THAN 10 MPH, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WOULD HOPE CHRYSLER WILL HAVE SOME COMPASSION FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THEY SHOULD ALSO REPAIR, AT NO CHARGE, THIS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY. *JB

Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 05/21/2006 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 5/24/2006

[File] your own complaint on this model car.

Yes, include on Custom Report
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Create Custom Report CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI Case Number: 10157983

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Details: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ABOUT A YEAR AGO BECAUSE THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE ROTATED. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED AND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING 30MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE'S FAILURE TO MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS SEPARATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

Occurrences: 1 Injuries: 0
Fail Date: 05/22/2006 Deaths: 0
Date added to datbase: 5/22/2006

[File] your own complaint on this model car.

Marlon_JB2 · Jun 7, 2006

Appointment is tomorrow at 9:45AM.

MoladoGuy · Jun 7, 2006

Ask them about a recall!! I wanna go in, but I don't wanna go in because mine fails.

](*,)

Marlon_JB2 · Jun 8, 2006

Feels like new now! I'm very happy. Sadly, there's no recall on the '04s+.

I'd recommend doing it now, because it's cheaper to replace the ball joints than replace the ball joints, lower control arm, rim, tire, wheel flare and any other random parts that break when these things fail and your Jeep crashes to the ground.

Some others are speaking of Moog parts.

I WILL SAY, that these new ones look quite different. Not saying they ARE, they just LOOK different.

Not only does it feel like new, this thing has to be riding at least a half inch higher in the front.

MoladoGuy · Jun 9, 2006

Marlon_JBT said:
this thing has to be riding at least a half inch higher in the front.

WHAT!! Just off a ball joint replacement?? If mine are any way near bad then I would have to lower my Clevis lift after installing new Ball Joints...

jfortier777 · Jun 9, 2006

Not that I am doubting, but can anyone substantiate that extra lift claim on the Balljoints. Just wondering about the relation of BJs to clearance...

Marlon_JB2 · Jun 9, 2006

I'm no expert here, it could be my imagination, but after the replacement, it doesn't look nearly as droopy anymore, and matches my sister's KJ in height. It didn't before...

I didn't say it was a LIFT, it's probably just RESTORED HEIGHT.... or like I said, my imagination. \

/

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