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Jeep Liberty: Steering Stability and Suspension

71 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2009 at 7:52 AM

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

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#30 of 71 Re: '03 Jeep Liberty Crazy Steering [mwillyard] by lhsmom Sep 16, 2006 (1:34 am)
Replying to: mwillyard (Aug 18, 2006 6:07 am) Did you check your ball joints? There is a recall on them. When they fail you loose complete control. You must check them every 20k miles. My 03 Liberty Sport had the ball joints replaced from a recall and then failed again causing an accident and nearly my life. Replies to this message: siberia (Oct 30, 2006 4:00 am)
#31 of 71 Re: '03 Jeep Liberty Crazy Steering [lhsmom] by siberia Oct 30, 2006 (4:00 am)
Replying to: lhsmom (Sep 16, 2006 1:34 am) Hi All,   I like the CRD as much as any vehicle I have owned and it has exceeded my expectations in doing everything that I bought it for. But, the following has led me to the conclusion that my CRD is the last new DC product I will ever buy:   An engineer wrote, “The [ball joint] 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 aren'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 the wrong spec was used.”   This seems to have originated by an argument between 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). The parts meet the specification, but the specification was changed to save money - as with Neon head gaskets, AC, and exhaust donuts.   From:   http://www.allpar.com/model/jeep/liberty-2005.html
#32 of 71 Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms by market525 Nov 06, 2006 (4:09 pm)
I've scanned this section, but did not see this problem mentioned. We have an 02 Liberty Sport, bought it new, it has 38K miles. We've had the first lower ball joint recall done, and it is now in for the 2nd lower BJ recall. They called me today to say that the both upper control arms have "torn" bushings. The repair consists of REPLACING both upper control arms - for a mere $700. Keep in mind I said this car has under 40,000 miles! We purchased the extended warranty, which will cover this repair except the $100 deductible, but I am shocked to have upper control arm bushing problems. Anybody else out there heard of this ?   Thanks, Steve Replies to this message: renegade02 (Nov 07, 2006 10:25 am) siberia (Nov 08, 2006 3:27 am) martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 7:48 am) market525 (Nov 08, 2006 9:47 am) martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 11:53 am) and 2 more... siberia (Nov 09, 2006 3:36 am) bartolo (Mar 09, 2008 9:17 am) market525 (Nov 08, 2006 9:45 am)
#33 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [market525] by renegade02 Nov 07, 2006 (10:25 am)
Replying to: market525 (Nov 06, 2006 4:09 pm) I have an 02 renegade with 82k miles and just got the ball joint recall done. They didn't mention any problem with the upper bushings. Mine has many hard mile on it, and if there would be a common problem I would be surprised not to have it, so I would advise to complain more to your serviceman about it being too early for Bushing replacement.
#34 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [market525] by siberia Nov 08, 2006 (3:27 am)
Replying to: market525 (Nov 06, 2006 4:09 pm) You should be skeptical about needing upper control arms and bushings. There is a serious design flaw in the lower ball joints but the upper control arms and ball joints are designed okay.   It's quite a cost savings for DC if they can nail you for $700 of unnecessary repairs while changing the lower ball joints. DC should not be able to profit from the lower ball joint design mistake.
#35 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [market525] by martinj71 Nov 08, 2006 (7:48 am)
Replying to: market525 (Nov 06, 2006 4:09 pm) I have a 02’ Jeep Liberty with 38,000 miles. I am getting a clunking sound in the front end when I go over any bump, and if I go over a slight hump in the road and the suspension stretches (front end goes up) I hear an almost metal on metal sound kind of a screeching sound. I bought the new front sway bar bushings, but that wasn’t it . I see you had the upper control arm bushing problem. Can you tell me if your was making similar sounds?   Thanks   Jim Replies to this message: market525 (Nov 08, 2006 9:47 am) martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 11:53 am) market525 (Nov 09, 2006 3:46 am) and 1 more... siberia (Nov 09, 2006 3:36 am) bartolo (Mar 09, 2008 9:17 am)
#36 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [market525] by market525 Nov 08, 2006 (9:45 am)
Replying to: market525 (Nov 06, 2006 4:09 pm) Well, it's even better than I was told. They replaced: lower ball joints (2nd recall) both upper control arms (bushings & control arms are one unit). Then, when they put it back together & but it on the ground, they told me the ball joints made a popping sound. Took it back apart & replaced both steering knuckles, too! Unbelievable! Without extended warranty, this would have been well over a $1,000 repair! Less than 40K miles at that! I paid for a front end alignment (which I find illogical) and the $100 extended warranty deductible - so $180 total. But needless to say, I've certainly lost confidence in this vehicle.
#37 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [martinj71] by market525 Nov 08, 2006 (9:47 am)
Replying to: martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 7:48 am) Jim The car was making zero noises. Drove & steered fine. Reading some of these breaking ball joint stories really surprises me; I just did not realize the severity of the problem.   Sounds like you'd better get to the dealer ASAP. Replies to this message: martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 11:53 am) market525 (Nov 09, 2006 3:46 am) martinj71 (Nov 09, 2006 4:15 am)
#38 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [market525] by martinj71 Nov 08, 2006 (11:53 am)
Replying to: market525 (Nov 08, 2006 9:47 am) I see a few people talking about a (2nd recall) what is that about and how do I find out what recalls have been done on my Jeep. I ask because I bought this about 6 months ago. Thanks for the info.   Jim Replies to this message: market525 (Nov 09, 2006 3:46 am) martinj71 (Nov 09, 2006 4:15 am)
#39 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [martinj71] by siberia Nov 09, 2006 (3:36 am)
Replying to: martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 7:48 am) Jim,   Bad upper control arm bushings can make exactly the sound that you describe and if they are bad this condition is not immediately dangerous as it can take quite a while to wear to destruction. Upper ball joints and control arm bushings generally last a long time in this suspension configuration because the don't carry near as much load as the lower ball joints.   You need to inspect your lower ball joints ASAP because if they the cause of this noise you might not have much time before one or both if them pop and your Jeep drops to the ground. This is easy to do yourself but I don't have time to write the instructions.   Maximum allowable axial play is 1.5mm or about 1/16 inch.   And one other thing, if your upper bushing are gone and you have metal to metal contact the top of your tires should be leaning very noticeable inward. Stand far enough behind or in front of the vehicle to observe front and rear tires and compare vertical alignment. The top of the front tires should appear slightly out compared to the rear not in.   Stay safe.

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