WK2 spares

[TR Laredo]

Originally Posted by porxee

sounds like imports the way to go?
I have bought from the US before, pain free and cost effective with other cars, no problems.
But it is disappointing that for such a common car, with (lets face it) sub par reliability, I cant get a new parts locally when i need it. Sounds like a gap in the market just waiting to be filled by the business savvy out there. haha

On a possibly related note,
Any other suggestions as to why the GC sounds like a truck with a bad universal joint? An intermittent rotational clang. clang clang.
Sounds a lot like the something in the drivetrain hitting the exhaust, but exhaust, mounts, heat shields, pipes and cables are all rock solid.

The front half shafts plus front and rear drive shaft are certainly questionable, buts its not a CV click or rattle sound. more a clang...

any ideas?

cheer

The rear tail shaft has a centre support bearing mounted to the floor of the vehicle. Have a look around that to check for excess play/damage etc.
Cheers

[skipperau]

Originally Posted by porxee

Don't get me wrong, not trying to dis the jeep, only had one for ~6 months, just going off what I have read. Which makes it sound like there is a market for parts. Parts that are not as easily accessible as they could be...

Unless of course i'm just not trying hard enough. haha



Whats the turnaround for rockauto/moparamerica?



cheers

The problem with relying on the commentary you hear both online and in the news is folks only speak out about bad news, there is no mileage in good news. I have had a ‘99 WJ for 14 years, put over 200K on it and never had any dramas that weren’t put down to needing periodic maintenance, and the failure of one aftermarket part. Contrast that to my wife’s Uncle who had 2 Patrols in 3 years that failed due to the same fuel rail issue and is now driving a Toyota (14K on the clock) that had a problem after about 2 weeks on his first trip.

In my experience RockAuto will get my parts to me on average within 7 working days, often in as little as 5. You will get a shipping list of a Few different choices based on weight/time and the most common choice for me is via FedEx as they have been consistent regarding speed of delivery.

Possible other causes for that noise could be the rear drive shaft bearing, not uncommon, or even the suspension bushes wearing and transmitting mechanical noise to the body perhaps? Might be worthwhile to have a scout around underneath the body to look for other answers just in case it’s a cheaper easier fix.


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[SouthernComfort]

As with all makes, regular maintenance with no compromises will keep these cars going just as well as anything else. As has been said already, forums mainly get postings re. problems, less of the positive stuff. Spend well on preventative, and less on repair. Hopefully you'll be getting ALL the fluids & filters changed while you're doing any repairs - critical for the drive train.
Local parts suppliers are around, some advertise on this forum. I've had great service from US Parts in Brisbane and also a local used parts supplier in Melbourne. Also, I never venture near dealers and use only a trusted independent Jeep mech. for servicing.
BTW, you will often get more accurate info if you tell us your State, plus what engine & drive you have e.g Petrol (4WD / 2WD), or CRD.

[Buffomarinus]

For balance I am on numerous forums/Facebook pages etc for other makes which I did before buying my GC. If you think these vehicles have issues go to the other (sometimes locked/closed group forums) and see the issues they're having with reliability, parts pricing/availability and Dealerships. I have owned at lot of vehicles and have zero brand loyalty, I am still very happy with my choice. In the next 12 months I will be on the market for a new vehicle and am approaching it with an open mind but even so another Grand Cherokee is definitely on the cards.

Additionally, when you buy ANY 2nd hand vehicle (as you did) it's very difficult to be sure of it's servicing history and how it had been treated. Both these factors have an effect on your ownership experience.

[porxee]

hey guys thanks for the responses, much appreciated.
I definitely hear what your all saying re reliability and other makes, maintenance etc, ultimately this is why i ended up with the jeep over an older prado. Couldnt go past the value for money and i acknowledge any make model can have issues, especially 2nd hand, but you definitely hear about more problems with jeeps. Maybe this is due to the dodgey dealers and toyota/nissan drivers pride haha The jeep has been well taken care of nad fully serviced.

as for the more info,
NSW 2011 overland, 5.7L, Quadralift, 4x4, ESD, ~110,000kms.

And as for the noise, the Mrs took it for a drive down the freeway for the weekend, and since she returned the noise has let off significantly. Its now much more intermittent and less speed dependent, now sounds more like a rattle or vibration but only in certain conditions.
However, it now seems to have manifested itself as an intermittent shudder on deceleration. Seems completely random, always on deceleration but all attempts to replicate the sound were in vein, and there was nothing obvious i could see whilst parked in the driveway so I got the Mrs to take it to a mechanic (first time i have EVER resorted to this) so they could put it on a hoist and hopefully pinpoint the noise. Nope, just said "dont know, its in the driveline, take it to a driveline specialist.".....

So i took it over to my old mans, put it up on stands so i could get a better look and almost immediately found the heat shield over the driveshaft bearing had been pushed up into the driveshaft and was rubbing, quick easy fix, but not the issue. The front CV in the driveshaft has thrown a heap of grease at some point, to hard to inspect the seal without removing the exhaust, but i'm assuming its from the current shaft, a little bit of play in the joint but nothing major.

But most concerning (i think) is the movement in the center bearing bushing, the bearing itself seems ok but the rubber allows the bearing and shaft to move a good 2cms or so up down and side to side.
Surely that cant be right? Or are they meant to allow that much movement? Or is this how they typically fail? It would explain the shudder and possibly the clanging. And so much better than having to rebuild/replace the transfer case.

So now i guess its a question of replacing just the bearing or whole shaft and bearing. Anyone ever repacked the driveshaft CV's? is it even a possibility?

Cheers guys