2008 Jeep Wrangler: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Steering · 124,300 miles · NY

Ball joint on the tie rod fell off of the pitman arm of the steering box backing out of a parking spot at a shopping center, leaving no steering control. Low speed at time of incident (under 5km/h) luckily there was no accident. Vehicle was backing out of spot to the right and a clunk was heard and felt in the steering wheel when straightening the wheels. Jeep wrangler 4door 4x4 sahara unlimited

Filed Jan 25, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 124,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 jeep wrangler. While driving 55 MPH over a bump in the road, the vehicle violently vibrated until it came to a complete stop. The vehicle was currently at fred martin superstore (3195 barber rd, barberton, oh 44203, (330) 753-4444) to have the ball joints, tie rods, steering damper, and universal joints replaced for the second time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Mar 1, 2015 · Acceleration, Body · 132,000 miles · GA

I was driving home from work on a state highway, even though posted speed limit was 65mph, traffic was heavy and I was forced to slow down to around 50 to 53 MPH. When speeding back up to 55 MPH my jeep sahara shook violently and uncontrollably, I thought my vehicle was going to shake apart, I hit the brakes and went down to 50 MPH (thank god no one was close behind me and did not hit me) and the shaking/wobble stopped. As traffic picked back up and I was able to speed up to 60 MPH, there was no real problem (a slight shake as I past 55 MPH), but as soon as I had to slow down to 55 MPH the vehicle started to shake/wobble uncontrollably again. It appears if I accelerate from 0 to 55 MPH I get the violent shaking/wobbling but if I go from 0 to 60-65 MPH, I do not really experience the violent uncontrollably shaking, just a slight shake at the 55 MPH going to 60-65 MPH. If I slow down from 60-65 MPH to 55 MPH I get that same violent uncontrollable shaking/wobbling. This happens everyday - not randomly! I found even on non-highways, where speed limits that allow 55 MPH, I get the same violent shaking. This is my only vehicle and I depend on it to get to and from work every weekday. I have read the forums and I have checked the tire pressure, it has no effect on the shaking/wobbling. I have never taken it off-road, I don't even put it in 4 wheel drive. My son has his own jeep that he has work on for years and he looked at my jeep (things like steering components, ball joints, tires, steering damper, etc.) all the things jeep owners have posted on these forums and have paid dearly for at the dealership and everything seems ok. I recently found from a jeep forum that this is called the 'death wobble'.

Filed Oct 6, 2014 · Airbags, Suspension · 45,010 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 jeep wrangler. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook violently. The dealer stated that the tie rods and steering dampers needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a year later. The tie rods and the steering dampers needed to be replaced again. On a different occasion, while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to wobble. The dealer stated that the rear passenger side axle shaft was bent and caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the air bag indicator illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who specified that the clock spring needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v176000 (air bags) or the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v528000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 45,010.

Filed Feb 6, 2014 · Airbags, Suspension · 78,200 miles · FL

I was on the highway and all of a sudden my airbag light came on. Didn't know what was going on so I pulled over. I thought maybe it was just a one time thing but I traveled over 1000 miles with it dinging every little while. When I got to my destination the light was still coming on and I was told it was a spring and would cost 400.00 to 500.00 to fix. I feel that it is not my responsibility to fix since it is a safety issue. But not only that I also had to get the ball joints replaced, both upper and lower which cost over 1000.00. I was told by the mechanic that jeep does not put grease fittings on them so that they eventually go out. This could cause a very serious accident and these issues need to be resolved by the company before someone get hurt or worse killed. I love my jeep but all these issues are really disturbing. One other issue I noticed is I am always having to check the oil which is usually low. Not sure what that is but I know others have complained about this.

Filed Jul 25, 2013 · Suspension · 49,000 miles · FL

My jeep wrangler unlimited 2008 upper and lower ball joints have worn out at 49,000 miles. They have caused brand new tires rated for 60,000 miles to wear out at 20,000 miles. The ball joints that were installed by the factory were designed to not allow ongoing maintenance to them. There is not a well to put grease in to keep the ball joints functioning properly. The jeep has never been lifted or used off-road. This is a common complaint among jeep drivers that I have found. Many mechanic say it is a factory defect.

Filed Jun 16, 2013 · Steering · 65,000 miles · IN

It is a largely know problem with steering box and components on 07' and newer jeep wranglers(jk wranglers both 2dr and 4dr) to have mass amounts of "play" in steering. This is mostly related to lack of quality parts in the steering box. Sector shaft, draglink, tierod ends, and ball joints from the manufacturer. After talking to the dealer in my area I have found as many times as there have been an issue, there is no word or concern from chrysler about a solution to fix the problem. The looseness of the steering at speed poses a great threat to vehicle occupants and surrounding drivers safety. This needs to be addressed asap.

Filed Oct 17, 2012 · Suspension · 68,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle front end shake violently and swerved from left to right while driving at any speed causing the contact to lose control. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the lower control arm was corroded and cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the lower control arm was corroded and cracked. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v085000 (suspension: rear). The failure and current mileage was 68,000.

Filed Oct 10, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 35,000 miles · CT

During a routine maintenance service, the dealer noticed a large amount of "play" in the steering wheel of our 2008 jeep wrangler sahara 2-door. It measured greater than the allowable movement. After reading about the effects of "death wobble" it was decided that this could be the early signs of this problem. With the numerous documented cases of this issue, we asked the dealer to contact chrysler to cover the $600+ repair/upgrade that was suggested(including an upgraded steering damper, upgraded tie rod, and wheel alignment). The vehicle is completely stock, well maintained, has 35,000 miles, and has never been off-road. The dealer agreed that there was a problem with the factory parts and it shouldn't be our responsibility to cover the cost of the upgrade. They dropped the price down to $100 and it is now being repaired. The vehicle should be ready tomorrow, so we will find out if these new parts will prevent the "death wobble" issue.

Filed Jun 21, 2012 · Brakes · 51,860 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 jeep wrangler. The contact was stopped on an incline and attempted to utilize the emergency brake when the brake exhibited a loud pop. The lever then fractured in the contact's hand. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, an inspection was not performed. The contact repaired the lever by replacing the parking brake control arm. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current mileage was 52,000. The failure mileage was 51,860.

Filed Mar 17, 2012 · Suspension · 36,200 miles · NC

The steering wheels and front wheels started shaking violently after hitting a mild bump and that was the first give in a costly ball joint replacement on a stock unabused jeep wrangler. It cost over $1400 to fix through 4 wheel parts. The dealer refused to acknowledge a problem and suggested the tires were simply unbalanced as the problem for the shake that nearly caused serious wreck.

Filed Feb 14, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · MT

2008 jeep wrangler. Consumer writes in regards to mechanical problems and brake line routing defect *tgw the consumer stated the first problem he had with the vehicle was the transmission. It began failing to engage and shifting out of gear. The dealer discovered that the transmission oil filter had not been installed and was lying on the bottom of the transmission oil pan. In january 2011, while driving at highway speeds, the consumer began to experience intermittent violent shaking of the entire vehicle, which seemed to be originating from the front end. The consumer stated it felt as though a wheel was loose. The consumer went to a repair shop, where the tie rod and pitman were replaced. Two weeks later, the shaking occurred again and soon it became increasingly violent ,making it nearly impossible to control the vehicle and stay in his lane. The consumer returned to the repair shop where they replaced the steering damper, which seemed to correct the problem for awhile. In july, the consumer took the vehicle for a routine maintenance check. While checking the front end, the mechanic was able to get two full turns on a nut on the track bar. Since then, the shaking has not occurred. The consumer stated as he approached a line of vehicles stopped at a light, he attempted to apply the brake, but it went soft and to the floor. An inspection revealed a hole in the brake line above the right front wheel, where the line left the wheel well and went into the engine compartment. The hole was caused by rubbing on the line by the edge of the plastic wheel well lining.