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Jeep Liberty: Steering Stability and Suspension

77 messages,  Last post on Dec 23, 2010 at 11:00 AM

You are in the Jeep Liberty and Jeep Liberty Diesel Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jeep Liberty, Tires, Wheels, Steering, Suspension, Diesel, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 8

#1 of 77 Jeep Liberty: Suspension/Steering by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 15, 2006 (9:30 pm)

This topic covers any problems or concerns regarding the Liberty's suspension and steering systems.

#2 of 77 Need Help, My 05 Liberty Terrible Brake and Steering problem... by missdruiidro

Sep 30, 2005 (2:39 pm)

I bought my 05 Liberty sport this January, and I drive it less than 5500 miles.
I just had a accident and it is because of I suddenly lost both my brake and steering function. I hit the front car by 25 mph. After the accident, I send my liberty to 3 different autoshop to do the inspection, but none of them can find a problem. I don't dare to drive this car again, because I don't know when will it happen again. Does anyone ever has this problem before? What should I do right now? Thanks!

#4 of 77 Re: Need Help, My 05 Liberty Terrible Brake and Steering problem... [missdruiidro] by jeepindenver

Mar 05, 2006 (8:54 pm)

Replying to: missdruiidro (Sep 30, 2005 2:39 pm)
My wife's 04 Liberty has lost power steering a few times at low rpm. Raising the rpm's to 2500 restores the power steering. Of course the car would not act up at the dealership and they could not find anything wrong.
 
Nervous in Denver

#5 of 77 Re: Need Help, My 05 Liberty Terrible Brake and Steering problem... [jeepindenver] by john81

Mar 06, 2006 (8:12 am)

Replying to: jeepindenver (Mar 05, 2006 8:54 pm)
I can help with the power steering problem. This is fairly simple as explained though the principles of hydraulics. The power steering pump is just that, a pump. It pumps fluid to create enough flow and pressure to allow movement of the front wheels by the steering wheel. The steering pump supplies fluid to the steering gear which takes mechanical turning (steering wheel) and translates that to hydraulic advantage (hydraulics part of the steering gear) and moves the wheels.
  So, taken that you have to "rev" up the engine to 2500 rpm indicates that "at that point", sufficient pressure is achieved. Now, what about at idle? Are all belts tight? Changed the steering wheel pump? Is the pump damaged? What is the pumps pressure flow at idle? Is the system fouled with dirty fluid? What is causing the loss of pressure? Bad gaskets or seals? Loose hydraulic lines between the pump and steering gear? Visible sign of leaking fluid?
  Once pressure is achieved at 2500 rpm, go back to idle and see how long pressure is maintained before steering failure. Keep a log of time (in seconds) so to tell the maintenance people.
  I have seen where lubricants accidently get on the belt, which is counter productive, because the belt is suppose to be held tight to allow proper grip to rotate. Lubricants cause the belt to slip. Is fluid getting on the belt or pully system causing the belt to slip?
  Were all these things checked?
I would take it back and have all those things checked and have all documentation written on paper that no problems were found, or if they did find something, indicate what was changed and why.
John

#6 of 77 2005 Liberty Wobble problem by tigerkuds

May 16, 2006 (9:13 am)

I was driving my 2005 Jeep Liberty on a smooth paved highway at 130 kph when all of a sudden I seem to lose control of the steering wheel and the front tires seem to wobble.
 
The feeling is like when you drive over a rail road track where the tires would wobble left and right and the steering wheel would turn left and right as well except that it's not bumpy like on a rail track. I didn't notice anything bumpy that woudl suggest something I drove over that would cause the wobble.
 
I was fortunate not to panic or I could have pulled the steering wheel hard which could have resulted in a rollover at that speed. I stopped and had it towed to my dealership.
 
Now, problem is they can't find anything wrong. They'll again take a look at it today. If they can't find anything wrong with it, how could anyone drive it again especially with a wife and kid inside?
 
Has anyone experienced this? Thanks.

#7 of 77 Re: 2005 Liberty Wobble problem [tigerkuds] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 16, 2006 (10:30 am)

Replying to: tigerkuds (May 16, 2006 9:13 am)
You might switch tires and wheels front to rear. Sounds like a wheel balance or tire issue. If you did the switch, you'd still feel the wobble, but it would be in the back end and you'd feel it in the seat of your pants.

#8 of 77 Re: 2005 Liberty Wobble problem [tigerkuds] by bvcrd

May 16, 2006 (11:28 am)

Replying to: tigerkuds (May 16, 2006 9:13 am)
I would think if it were a balance issue, you would have felt it more often, like all the time instead of "all of a sudden." It could have been that you lost a wheel weight if that were the case. It could be that your ball joints are bad. There is a history of them being of poor quality. Could be other suspension/steering components. Did it continue to do it after that one time? Maybe go back to that section of road if possible and try to duplicate it. Could be you drove over some weird section of road surface.

#9 of 77 Re: 2005 Liberty Wobble problem [bvcrd] by tigerkuds

May 16, 2006 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: bvcrd (May 16, 2006 11:28 am)
It happened on a superhighway and I had been driving for almost 2 hours when it happened. I don't think I hit something bumpy on the road or I would have felt it. And I don't think it's a balance issue. The liberty had no problem whatsoever and I was very satisfied with it until that horrible moment. I even drove it at 80 kph for 3 kilometers to get to the nearest town and didn't notice a thing.
 
As of yesterday, they tried to duplicate the problem and had it road tested. They were not able to duplicate the problem. They also told me that they can't find anything wrong. I don't know how much they checked though. I told them I won't mind them driving the jeep for 3 hours on the highway at 130 kph. That's because I'm not satisfied that a 10 or 20 minute road test is enough. If they have to drive the vehicle for 1 day at 130 kph I won't mind at all.

#10 of 77 Re: 2005 Liberty Wobble problem [tigerkuds] by bvcrd

May 16, 2006 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: tigerkuds (May 16, 2006 12:45 pm)
You could take it to a independent mechanic for a safety inspection. If that passes, there is only one other explanation...........Aliens.

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