JEEP
PATRIOT
Q I have a 2009 Jeep Patriot CRD with the VW 2.0 CRD engine. An old mechanic friend told me that some of these engines are prone to balance shaft breakages, so I was wondering whether you have any info on this problem and how I can prevent it?
Also, just recently, I changed the lower arm balljoint (an advisory at the MOT) and noticed that the new lower arm balljoint had a very thin washer about the size of a medal on top of the rubber boot holding down the spout of the rubber. There are no clips/wire sealing ties on either the top or bottom of the rubber boot and it can’t be moved without some sort of leverage, so my first thought was that it might be for packing purposes. However, on the underside of the washer, around the hole through which the balljoint goes, it is lipped slightly, allowing it to fit snugly inside the top of the rubber boot keeping the spout all nice and square.
Then, after joining the balljoint to the hub and with everything tightened up, I noticed the rubber boot was squashed slightly, making the top fatter and just inside of the diameter of the washer, so I assumed the washer acts as a shield to keep out muck, etc. Can you tell me if that is right or advise what purpose the washer serves.
A The VAG engine prone to balance shaft problems was the earlier unit and, as far as I can discover, the last of these engines was produced in 2007. Although th
