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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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#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.
#40 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [martinj71] by market525 Nov 09, 2006 (3:46 am)
Replying to: martinj71 (Nov 08, 2006 11:53 am) Jim, Your dealer can tell you exactly what's been done to your car. They will run the VIN (vehicle identification number) through their (Chrysler's) computer system. Would take them a matter of minutes to do.   Steve Replies to this message: martinj71 (Nov 09, 2006 4:15 am)
#41 of 71 Re: Jeep Liberty Upper Control Arms [market525] by martinj71 Nov 09, 2006 (4:15 am)
Replying to: market525 (Nov 09, 2006 3:46 am) Everyone, thanks for being so helpful. I called the dealer last night and the (2nd recall) has not been done on my Jeep. They are on national back order right now, so I wont be able to get it in till Monday or Tuesday. The service manager told me he would also check on the upper control arm bushings while I had it up there,,, free of charge. Thanks again all. Jim
#42 of 71 02' liberty by martinj71 Nov 14, 2006 (4:02 am)
One more question. Jeep Liberty, 02’ 38k… when I come to a stop. 80% of the time it wants to fall on its face (stall) anyone else experience this?
#43 of 71 Jeep Liberty making noise when backing by joebj1178514 Nov 17, 2006 (1:48 pm)
My 2004 Jeep liberty (45K miles) just started to act up today. I warmed up my car for about 2 minutes and backed out of my parking spot while turning the wheel when I heard a loud blunt noise coming from the rear axle area. This loud noise only happened when backing out and turning the wheel at the same time, this didnt happen when backing out straight. The sound is like something snapping or something getting hit with blunt force, kind of like a football hitting the side of a car.   I also have a problem when driving foward and turning the wheel all the way to the left/right to make a turn. The car struggles to turn, as if the front wheels pivoting makes it diffucult for the car to move. The car almost stutter struggles (not an engine stutter) to make the turn when turning the wheel.   I thought this may be a lower ball joint problem, but the lower ball joint problem should not be applicable to the rear wheels of the car, but then again, the noise/stuttering only happens when I turn my steering wheel. Any hints?   I've tried to be specific as possible. Anyone out there have any ideas of what the problem is? Please help me.   I'm planning on going on a 13 hour road trip, but I might have to save that plan for later. Replies to this message: market525 (Nov 17, 2006 4:00 pm) eatplaysleep (Jan 01, 2009 9:40 pm)

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