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[fredt]

Well, after having the Jeep for 2 weeks, they've decided it's not the steering box but the rear A Frame bushes that are knackered.
I'm not filled with confidence at this point.

I suspect that, other than warranty claims, I won't be using this workshop again in a hurry 
Trouble is the local Jeep main dealer in Maidenhead has shut and the next nearest specialist, who was miles away in Bicester now doesn't do Jeeps anyway.
Hopefully my van mechanic will be able to service it......

if you going to bicester you may as well keep going till you hit northampton... tcj services 01604 722700  they do all the work on my WJ, have had no problems with them so far and their able to source used parts, which makes it cheaper to keep your Jeep on the road

[JamesH]

I'll second TCJ 

[TC]

Typical, I've been at Santa Pod all weekend, I could have dropped the Jeep off Thursday and picked it up later 

[bgbazz]

If it turns out to be a correct diagnosis..and nothing is broken...all you will need is six bushes and a balljoint. I had a similar issue with my KJ and went down that road...problem solved in a short afternoons work. (once I received the parts from Jeepey  and Gaz).

[TC]

I've got it back and it's definitely better but still has a bit of a shimmy.
Checkedg the MOT and although it didn't fail there's play in both the Drag Link end ball joints, so I'm guessing that won't help 
Rather than wait 3 weeks for the dealer to fix it I'll have a look at what's involved  first and either do it myself or get the van mechanic to do it and check all the bushes at the same time.
I might need to get any parts for him so any pointers on where's best to get them from are appreciated   

[bgbazz]

I'm sure that other folk will have their suggestions, but I've always found that Mike, up at Jeepey is very helpful. I've been dealing with him for over five years (and pissed him off a gazillion times) and he has never let me down!

Just my two bobs worth!

[Dutch]

TC, if it is still under warranty, won't you tinkering with it make that void ?

[TC]

I'll have to check the small print but it's normally down to getting the servicing done by them and using genuine parts.
Any other work can be done.
What I'll probably do is sort out minor issues myself but return it to them if anything major crops up.

[isle of man]

I'll have to check the small print but it's normally down to getting the servicing done by them and using genuine parts.
Any other work can be done.
What I'll probably do is sort out minor issues myself but return it to them if anything major crops up.

Indeed, has to be main dealer serviced.

[Wildfire]

TC

I've been addressing the same problem - I've already replaced the rear 'A' frame and the lower arms - I don't have access to a press so new units were the only option.
Ironically I also have both upper and lower arms for the front to replace sometime soon, as my shimmy is still evident - if ever so slight!
For info in the last 6 months approx 6K miles I've replace all the front track rod ends - new Steering Box (it was leaking) and both Upper and lower front yoke ball joints (PITA)

Good Luck with the dealer - my dealer only handled warranty work till they gave up the Jeep franchise.

[Wildfire]

TC
I forgot to add - like you I have a 2004 WJ CRD - I fitted a 2" BB and I 'm currently running 265/70/16 BFG All Terrains - the BFG's have outstanding mileage ability - my last two sets done 60K & 65K - but they do tend to follow the camber, as I've found as it tends to show up as a shimy type effect.

[TC]

I've given up with the dealer, - 3 weeks to replace a couple of bushes and a couple of other items they assured me they had fixed (handbrake missing the ratchet occasionally and a sticking seat belt) hadn't been touched at all in the 3 weeks.
Avoid Jeeps Direct in Wokingham like the plague....

I've booked the Jeep in with a mechanic I trust. he'll give it a once over to check there's no major problems and then, assuming there isn't we'll get it sorted between us.

Once he's looked at it and hopefully confirmed it's OK then I'll stick a set of Goodyear HP AWs on it.

[TC]

Just to update this, the mechanic said the Jeep was sound but needed a fair bit of work.
As I like the Jeep so much I decided to go ahead with it.
Something like 8 bushings, two ball joints, a/c condenser, engine service and a change of oil in the gearbox, diff's etc, it's nearly there.
I say nearly because  after all the work, I had the tracking done and there's now a load of play in the steering.
From what can work out I suspect all the work has resulted in the Pitman arm needing adjustment, it seems easy enough    , so I'll give it a go this morning.

[jay140285]

Glad your getting there, just sounds like it needed a bit of love


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TC]

From what the mechanic said, it hasn't had much done service wise for a number of years, the gearbox oil etc was like sludge and you don't get 8 bushes failing suddenly, how it passed the MOT in January I don't know !
But the Chassis is solid and the engine is good so I'll get it back up to where it should be.
I do 60 miles a day in it so it needs to be dependable (which I think it will be), plus it's got to tow a trailer with two bikes on down to the South of France and back in September  so it needs to be sorted.

[TC]

From what can work out I suspect all the work has resulted in the Pitman arm needing adjustment, it seems easy enough    , so I'll give it a go this morning.

So much for that idea....
Found a 5/8 spanner for the locknut no problem, but I can't find an allen key (either metric or imperial) that fits 
I can't work out or see if it's just an odd size or if it's that the allen head is knackered 
Hopefully it's the former !

[TC]

After checking things a bit more closely, it turns out it wasn't needing adjustment but the new tie rod to the pitman arm is knackered !
It's stripped the thread on the nut (it was only the split pin keeping it in place  )and the thread on the tie rod itself doesn't look great.
It's back with the mechanic now......

[TC]

Finally all done !
Tie rod replaced, tracking checked (again)
Steering wheel wasn't quite straight when I got it back, but 10 minutes with the spanners sorted that.
Hopefully shouldn't have to spend any more on it until at least the next MOT now