2002 Liberty 4x4 3.7

[BeanGirlsJeep]

Have a question folks. We have been hearing/feeling a strange sound from the rear of our Liberty. It kinda feels like the tires are grinding on loose gravel on the pavement (with smooth pavement) when first starting out.

We have about 30K miles on it. Have loved it since we got it late 2001.

We had bad rear brake shoes from the first day, but they were replaced. We also returned it once before for the clunk sound that the rear end made when coming to a stop.

We were told by the dealership in Columbia SC that it was the normal "relaxing of the rear end". Sorta sounded bobo to me when they said that...but no ill effects until recently when we hear this grinding sound.

Well just a thought...anyone had any differential problems with their liberty (2002)?

We are going to take it back for its normal service anyway.

Oh, by the way...never been off road.. mostly highway driving...never through deep water just the regular SC heat and normal 5pm frog drowner thunder storms.

Thanks for any help!

Beany Girl

[sexyliberty]

I have an 02 Libby sport 3.7. While getting an oil change and the tires rotated, it was brought tomy attetion that I was linking fluid from the well that holds the differental fluid in the rear of the jeep and were told by the guy that was doing the oil change (a jeep libby owner as well) that it was a common problem in the 02. Have you checked to see if you have a leak? It wasn't a big leak. It was just a little moist around the "O" ring at the joint.

[skrracing]

A lot of the guys have had to retighten the lower control arm nuts. It seems the forward nuts and bolts loosen on a lot of the 2002 and 2003 KJs. When they become loose they make a starnge noise when you first start off. Not sure if this is your problem but it might be worth checking out. The nuts are torqued to like 120 ft/lbs??? Almost sure that is the correct torque. Hope this helps. Later...Clint

[BeanGirlsJeep]

Hi!

Sorry I have been off-line for a while...the computer did it's crash thingy...took a while to get it back up with new software that prevents some ugly virus things from killing it.

Anyway, here is the story.

It turned out that the "O" ring had gone bad and the rear diff was in deed need of service. So, they did the service, replaced the "O" ring.

While in there, I mentioned the thing about the lower control ball joints from the response....turns out there was a recall - the replaced the lower ball joints.

Everything quite and nice again. So, I don't know if it was specifically the ball joints making the noise at start or if it was just symptoms of the rear end.

Anyway, everythings good. $240 for this time around - included oil and filter change, transmission filter & oil change, rear end service - and the free recall repair.

Had the work done at Galeana Chrysler/Jeep on Greystone Blvd in Cola SC. Seems to be great so far. They seem to do good work and go by the book.

Thanks again!

Bean Girl