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[Rod]

My 2004 Cherokee 2.7 CRD has developed an intermitent noise when turning at slow speed. Its like a sqeaky door but worse as you can feel some vibration. Its been back to the dealer but it never makes the noise when they test it. It seems worse when its dry. Any ideas as its starting to get on my nerves. Its only done 10,000 miles with most of it softroading.

[elvis]

dry baljoint

[Rod]

Thanks Elvis - How do I fix it?

[greggmo]

slap a good handfull of mayo in there. works a treat. oh and welcome to birtys. hows about an intro?

[Rod]

Problem? Ball Joints look to be Sealed Units  :?

[chrisjones]

There should be grease nipples on all the ball joints in the front steering, though I've never had a look under a Liberty so things could have changed with the independet front ends.  Have another look under the front and get some new grease in all them joints.

[MOCAJ]

Hi Rod,

Not sure if you have a Grand Cherokee or Cherokee(Liberty in US)  :cry:

Not sure if the design after 2003 is changed.

If you confirm which truck you have, i can help if its a Liberty, tell you how to check them yourself or best bet is to get it back to the dealer as it will still be under warranty.

If its a Grand then i am sure someone will be along to help soon

And welcome to the best club in Jeepland

[Rod]

Hi there - Its a Cherokee and I have had it back to the dealer once already and they claim they cannot find anything wrong!!! It is still under warrenty and is going back in this Thursday. The problem is it never puts a foot wrong once it gets to them!
This forum is great and I really appreciate all the help being given.

 

[Manda]

It might be worth telling them your suspicions, you can almost always guarantee it won't do it while they're looking.

Tell them about the US recall too, show them you know what you're talking about.

[MOCAJ]

Here you go, a copy of the US recall.

Make : JEEP Model : LIBERTY Year : 2002
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 03V460000 Recall Date : NOV 04, 2003
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 336000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF LUBRICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO CORROSION, ACCELERATED WEAR, AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence:
A BALL JOINT THATHAS SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS WITH MODIFIED ASSEMBLIES AND HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 2, 2001 AND OCTOBER 4, 2002. ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 5, 2002 AND MARCH 26, 2003, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES (AND REPLACE THEM AS NECESSARY) AND INSTALL HEAT SHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Notes:
DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. C36. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

I have had my Liberty for just under a year now and have had 1 side replaced. Warranty expires in a few weeks so will be making sure they are inspected again.

After that it will be bye-bye stealership, had a bad experience earlier this year with my TJ  :!:

Agree with Manda, go armed with as much info as you can. Try visiting the LOST site, http://www.lostkjs.com/forum/phpBB2/index.php

Great site, i have joined recently, loads of info and in the US they are starting to make greasable ball joints, but not Jeep manufacture.  

[Rod]

Mudplugger - Thanks a million. I'll let you know how I get on at my local dealer later this week. To be fair they have always treated me well and thanks to your input I'm sure they will get it sorted.
Once its fixed I intend to start using it for what it was designed for!!!!!

[MOCAJ]

Hi MOCAJ again,

to test your lower balljoints try the following-

Hope this helps to check them...
Place a floor jack under the lower control arm and jack the tire up about 3 in. off the ground.

Be very careful but place a pry bar of 2X4 under the tire.

Lift up and see if you feel any bump in the ball joint but also watch the ball joint. if you see any movement in the lower ball joint it should be replaces ASAP.

If it fails it will do a lot of damage but if it fails while going down the hwy or at any speed this could be a very serious problem.

Maybe best to check them before the stealership looks at them  

[MOCAJ]

Reading on the lost site, the problem is still there on the 04 and newer trucks, they have not changed the design  

I am curently trying to locate a supplier for the Moog K3199 which is the greasable ball joint to replace the OEM joint.

Best of luck at the stealership.  

[Mike Pavelin]

Is this a Cherokee insist they check those lower balljoints as they're prone to premature failure and can collapse.

[Rod]

Quick update as promised. the BJ's on the 2004 Cheokee are the upgarded ones with the heat shield. Mine checked out OK with no play and no lube issues. This has also been confirmed by Jeep-USA. Problem turned out to be with the Power Stearing. Have now got a new unit and drive belt and the noise has gone away.
In spite of this will ceratinly have BJ's checked and rechecked over coming months.
Many thanks to everyone for their help.
Rod

"Keep the faith"

[MOCAJ]

Good result then, all under warranty i presume. :!: