2004 Jeep Wrangler: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 21, 2016 · Body, Steering · 120,000 miles · RI

The driver's side lower control arm mount on our 2004 jeep wrangler broke off from the frame while driving. While accelerating on a city street, there was a loud bang noise from underneath the vehicle, and the jeep became extremely difficult to control and started wandering all over the road. Upon pulling over and looking underneath the vehicle we found that there were extreme amounts of rust and corrosion inside the frame that was visible from the outside. This rust caused the entire lower control arm mount to break off from the frame. Another rot hole was found further up the frame near the transmission skidplate/cross-member assembly as well.

Filed May 11, 2015 · Steering · 114,565 miles · OH · crash

My 16 year old daughter was driving the vehicle on normal dry pavement when the casting that anchors the tie rod to the front left wheel snapped off. The vehicle violently pulled to the right causing it to go off the paved road surface and crashing into a tree. The vehicle has the original factory suspension and to my knowledge has never been modified.

Filed Aug 8, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 30,000 miles · IA

A week after I purchased the vehicle I hit a small, sharp bump in the road and the vehicle front end began to shake and wobble uncontrollably. Only by slowing down to 45 MPH was I able to gain control of the vehicle again. This has happened numerous times after this. I had the tires balanced, rotated and an alignment done on it. The wobble happened again, sometimes at even higher speeds and sometimes, not at all. I took it to an authorized chrysler jeep dealer and according to their recommendation, had a new steering stabilizer, new sway bar links and tie rod installed and again had the tires balanced and an alignment done on it. The vehicle still exhibits the same behavior. I have had it happen three times on interstate highways and lucky enough each time I was in the right lane and able to pull over onto the shoulder to reduce speed and gain control again. Each time on the interstate my speed was between 60 and 65 MPH. The last time it happened I drove 20 miles back home on city streets in order to keep my speed below 50 MPH. The "death wobble" does not happen below 50 MPH although I can sometimes feel it starting to shake as I approach that speed. As I have had the vehicle inspected by an authorized chrysler dealer, replaced the recommended parts and have done the required maintenance, I feel that there is a safety issue built into some of the vehicles like mine. I think this needs to be investigated as many jeep wrangler owners that I have talked to and authorized dealers also were very familiar with the term "death wobble" in conjunction with jeep wranglers. In fact, as I was describing the problem to one of the authorized chrysler jeep dealers, he interrupted me by saying, "ah, the "death wobble". Once it happens to you, you know that it is a very apt description of the behavior.

Filed Oct 7, 2010 · Steering · 20,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact pulled over and the shaking stopped, but when she continued on, the shaking began again. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the front steering box, bushings, and control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000 and the current mileage was approximately 22,000.

Filed Jan 6, 2009 · Suspension · 33,000 miles · 00

2004 jeep rubicon ball joint failure.

Filed Jul 7, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 25,000 miles · NC

Vehicle will enter into a violent wobble and shake when hitting a bump at highway speed. Violent shaking does not stop until speed is reduced to under 20 MPH. Had wheels rotated and balanced, wheels aligned. Checked all tie rods, ball joints, and linkage with no noticeable wear. Death wobble still present.

Filed Mar 15, 2006 · Suspension · NE

I was driving my 2004 jeep liberty when my ball joint broke on passenger side. I took it into dealership and they said the other side had to be replaced also,it was at maximum tolerance. I'm very concerned for others that have this vehicle because I was lucky that my grandchild and I weren't killed.