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Jeep Liberty: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
http://forums.jeepsunlimited.com/ubb/Forum21/HTML/003069.html
It looks like there might me a flaw in the design of the IFS that only becomes evident under off-road use. In short, the centre section, a Dana 30 diff, can flex on its mounts while the driveshaft connecting it to the transfercase does not flex enough. Apparently when off-road this can cause binding between the two and the aluminum (not steel!) case cracks, probably over time.
We do know that one of the guys was off roading and the stress of that sitation seemed to be the cause. I just thought that people should know what happened someone who went off the beaten track. Will it happen to any others? Beats me.
I hope this isn't a problem that shows up again and again because the IFS on the liberty seems to be the strongest around. I'm sorry if my post came off as Liberty bashing.
Drove one today after reading posts on this site. Tried pushing it a little - like an emergency lane change or avoiding some thing in road. Jeep felt like it was going to flip. I've driven lots of different types of vehicles and have never felt like I could flip one over at will. Felt this way in the Jeep. Even remainder of trip back to dealer, I didn't feel safe.
Believe me - you will get used to it and I will bet any money you like that you couldn't tip a KJ over changing lanes or going around a corner no matter how fast you are going. That said I would still drive it in a manner that suits the style of car that it is - a great truck that is heaps of fun to own.
I just wanted to let you know that I noticed after washing mine one day. I took off my spare tire cover and washed that tire too. Well I left off cover for about a day or two. When putting it back on I noticed a yellow spot on my rear bumper underneath the spare tire. I tried washing it. My husband even gave me some spot remover stuff and I could not get all of it off. I remembered reading quite sometime ago. That Chrysler started adding the spare tire cover deal to the limited's because of the film on the tire dripping on the bumper and causing this problem. WEll I did not think one time of removing the cover would do this. So to say the least. I probably will never take my cover off again.
I have also noticed two small chips in front right bumper. I plan to get touch up paint at the dealer. It did seem as though it would peel off pretty easy. When I get paint I will show them that plus rear bumper and question it.
The only other "problem" I have had was I had to have my fuel pump replaced. After about 4wks of owning it. On a Monday I started to hear a humming noise coming from the rear cargo area. I told my husband and he said FULL PUMP. So I called Bancroft Motor's where I bought it. They got me in Friday (my choice) and agreed fuel pump. They replaced & did my FREE oil change and I picked it up on time and off I went.
I have done a lot of reading since last July. I bought my Jeep at the end of January. This is new out for this year and I do expect first year problems. I will keep reading to hopefully get all the info I need to keep my Jeep experience a happy safe one. Again, I do love this vehicle. It's solid,comfy & I feel very safe in it.
Thanks to all those who post.
LadyLiberty
the Liberty has serious quality control issues.
There may be some good ones out there but, I noticed a striking amount of similarity in the
postings that points to consistent, repeatable
problems. I felt like someone took the words
out of my mouth on several of the complaints. Namely the pulsating brakes (fixed by re-surfacing
the rotors on mine), the vibration the faster you
drive it (still not fixed after 4 dealer visits, and, after reading here, I'm thinking suspesion or
transmission flaw, that may not be fixable), tire
balancing attempts, and the pulling to the right
(dealer fixed alignment, but is that now contributing to the vibration somehow?) Frustrating! as the one person put it. Paid over
$25,000 for mine, so I can have all this fun!
I'm ready to sign any class action lawsuit against
Daimler, (my email is dsnowb8594@aol.com), meanwhile I'll try to invoke the lemon law, but
the way it's written in Florida, about "substantially" impaired operating condition, leaves my vibration in a gray area since it's only
really bad at 70mph+. Still wrong!!!
At least something to check.
Check out your rims people and see if this is happening with your rims.
I know the finish on most factory rims won't last forever, but after 5 months this is unacceptable. I can only imagine what these beautiful rims are going to look like after one year.
Read about it here.
tidester
Host
SUVs
Having witnessed how people drive, it's no mystery why certain vehicles roll over. The Liberty is a truck, and is not ment to be whipped around sharp curves and bends at 50 and 60 miles per hour. Same can be said of other SUVs.
Yet, every day I see idiots in their SUVs weaving in and out of traffic at 60 mph, going around curves as though they are driving a Camaro or TransAm.
The Liberty doesn't hug the road the way a sports car would. So, why would one expect to drive it the same way?
Yes, SUVs can roll over. Libertys can roll over. But, for people who know how to drive such vehicles, I would venture to say rollovers are not high on their concern list of things that can happen.
Also re: you ABS comments - bang on. I have always presumed that car companies simply won't allow for driver activated ABS because of legal implications (ooops I forgot to turn it on and I've crashed = must sue someone). A shame as I wish I had ABS for 90% of the time on mine, but I just couldn't stand it for dirt roads and offroad.
BTW. I now have 1500kms on mine and I heard my first 'clunk' this morning. Seems to be when you apply power from a standing start and sounded like a drivetrain noise. Not too worried - just note it down and I'll get the dealer to look at soon.
Also one other problem with mine - in Oz they fit rear mudflaps that are very long. Ripped one off while reversing in a paddock as it was pushed into the tyre. I knew this would happen and am now trying to order some smaller ones. I notice Mopar stock them but they don't have any pics on their site. Has anyone fitted mudflaps and used them offroad and had no problems (like them ripping off all the time).
Thanks,
Andy
Anyway - take it for what it's worth, I like my Jeep Liberty and so far it likes me. I anticipate we will be together for a long long time.
From my understanding, if you don't have full-time 4WD, you shouldn't use 4WD in the rain. This has the potential of messing up your transmission.
I have the non-full time Select-Trac (or is that Command Trac? I always confuse the two), and NEVER use 4WD on wet roads. I only use 4WD on snow and ice.
I would refrain from using 4WD until you have your Jeep dealer check this out as soon as possible.
Hope you don't need a new tranny. But, that should be covered under warranty.
I am not an expert by any means but I would have to say that with the force of the impact, those bags should have deployed. Has anyone heard of any similar stories? I wanted to check here before going to DC.
Here's an article, with some links at the bottom that may help as "background."
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Hope you are doing okay!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Airbags deploy when there is sustained deceleration in the straight ahead direction, and the minimum speed is 10 mph or so. It really has nothing to do with the sensor location, you could measure severe deceleration almost anywhere on the vehicle, and there are usually at least two different types of sensors to double-check each other.
The only explanations I could think of are that (a) the impact was more of a side-impact and less of a frontal impact, or (b) the vehicle was not going the minimum speed (10mph). Maybe if the vehicle were sliding and the wheels weren't turning very fast, but the vehicle was still moving rapidly (i.e. the vehicle didn't *think* it was going over 10mph)...? Some vehicles also sense the presence/absence of a passenger and will not deploy the passenger side bag if no occupant is detected - I have no idea if the Liberty has this feature.
The re-call about the broken wire only caused a delay in deployment as I understand. Airbag sensors usually come equipped with a very large capacitor anyway to provide stored power in the event of a power-loss situation.
Yes, the Liberty is a more to one extreme of the SUV scale that a Buick Rendezvous or something, and handles like it. BUT, any passenger vehicle travelling on the road should be expected to competantly handle simple evasive maneuvers without undo risk.
A Liberty may spend up to half it's time jumping boulders (for those 15% of the buyers) but the remaining 50% is on city streets where kids and dogs and backing cars do jump into the lane unannounced.
And saying "this is not the first truck to flip" is hardly a consolation.
I have a solution to help calm your rollover worried: SLOW DOWN.
The Liberty isn't a sports car. It's not made to be whipped around bends and corners at 55 and 60 mph. It is a truck. Trucks have to be driven in a different manner.
So, slow down. If you want to whip around corners at high speeds, perhaps you should be driving a TransAm or Camaro, and not a Jeep Liberty.
However, for a car maker to make a major modification to a model in production is quite something!! And I would seriously doubt it is for a smoother ride - if DC is saying that, then the owners of the Liberty better start a writing campaign. There is only one real reason DC has made this change to the Liberty and we know what it is! Car makers only make major changes when there is a recall/safety issue. I came very close to buying a Liberty this year - glad I did not.
Nothing to do with sports cars or driving style.
Anyways since this seems to be such a touchy issues, that's all I'm going to say about it from now on.