I would like some advice on how to proceed with my latest repair.
Some background - 3 months ago, I purchased a 2004 TJ with a 6" Teraflex lift - it came with some problems. I brought it in to a "trusted" mechanic for an inspection/tune up. He found a ton of problems - crank shaft position sensor was not attached to anything, bad steering damper, incorrect angle on the rear differential, pinion seal leak, bad u joint, and major alignment problems. He fixed everything, and did a tune up for $2500.
I didn't like being hit with such a steep repair cost immediately after buying the Jeep, but I sucked it up and moved forward.
I recently started to experience a wobble/fishtail symptom, and experienced some knocks. I inspected the lift kit and found that one of the flex arms had disintegrated rubber around the ball joint. I looked online and Teraflex offers rebuild kits for ~$25.
I dropped it off, and received a call this afternoon. He said that once the Jeep was on the lift, they found play in all of the joints for the lift kit. He recommended replacing all of the arms, and hit me with a ~$1500 estimate. (He is still finalizing this, but it will be in the range) He wants to replace the flex arms because he said he can't adjust at least 1 of them. To give you an idea of the condition of the metal- the Jeep is from Colorado and has minimal rust.
I want your opinions - The following are the options that I am contemplating:
1) The cheapest option would be to rebuild the joint that failed, lubricate the others, and tackle this later in the season. What am I risking if I continue to use the vehicle with a little bit of play in the joints?
2) I can ask him to rebuild the joint that failed, and attempt to rebuild the others myself.
3) I can use this as an opportunity to upgrade. I don't know that much information about the history of this vehicle, but the maintenance was obviously neglected. If I did this, I'd probably do the work myself. I'm an Electronics Technician, and I have some skills, but not a ton of tools/space to work on the Jeep. I lowered a vehicle when I was young, but I know that the lift will be more intensive. I also do not have welding experience, so I would have to learn or pay someone to do it for me.
Some background - 3 months ago, I purchased a 2004 TJ with a 6" Teraflex lift - it came with some problems. I brought it in to a "trusted" mechanic for an inspection/tune up. He found a ton of problems - crank shaft position sensor was not attached to anything, bad steering damper, incorrect angle on the rear differential, pinion seal leak, bad u joint, and major alignment problems. He fixed everything, and did a tune up for $2500.
I didn't like being hit with such a steep repair cost immediately after buying the Jeep, but I sucked it up and moved forward.
I recently started to experience a wobble/fishtail symptom, and experienced some knocks. I inspected the lift kit and found that one of the flex arms had disintegrated rubber around the ball joint. I looked online and Teraflex offers rebuild kits for ~$25.
I dropped it off, and received a call this afternoon. He said that once the Jeep was on the lift, they found play in all of the joints for the lift kit. He recommended replacing all of the arms, and hit me with a ~$1500 estimate. (He is still finalizing this, but it will be in the range) He wants to replace the flex arms because he said he can't adjust at least 1 of them. To give you an idea of the condition of the metal- the Jeep is from Colorado and has minimal rust.
I want your opinions - The following are the options that I am contemplating:
1) The cheapest option would be to rebuild the joint that failed, lubricate the others, and tackle this later in the season. What am I risking if I continue to use the vehicle with a little bit of play in the joints?
2) I can ask him to rebuild the joint that failed, and attempt to rebuild the others myself.
3) I can use this as an opportunity to upgrade. I don't know that much information about the history of this vehicle, but the maintenance was obviously neglected. If I did this, I'd probably do the work myself. I'm an Electronics Technician, and I have some skills, but not a ton of tools/space to work on the Jeep. I lowered a vehicle when I was young, but I know that the lift will be more intensive. I also do not have welding experience, so I would have to learn or pay someone to do it for me.