Advice needed - front end damage
JK Junkie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 0
From: Catonsville, MD
Thanks all for the responses, and sorry about being slow on an update. I've never done an insurance claim before, and I hope it won't make rates go up too high. I guess I'm really resistant to spending over $5k to bring my Jeep BACK to stock and its known-weak shafts. The Rock Jock 60 is $5k, but with gears and shipping it would up being around $7k - which is not doable.
I got into an argument with my service rep because he gave me a flat "no" to warranty work. I explained that the damage was caused by a pot hole on a trail and that if I can't hit that on a street or a trail with my "trail rated" Jeep, then what good were the parts or the warranty? He explained it all away by repeating "you hit something, if you drove it off a cliff we wouldn't warranty it", though I explained that it was nothing bigger than a pot hole I've seen on the roads around town (which is true, it was a big rut, but there are bigger right outside their dealership). Whatever.
So my buddy says that he can get Chrommoly outers, but that they don't manufacture 27-spline inners, just the 30s. With all the extra stuff that might need repaired, I'm leaning more towards an insurance claim as well... but it seems like such a huge waste to put all that money into the Jeep to bring it back to stock. Any other ideas I might consider before commiting to a course?
What should I expect from an insurance claim as far as process and rate-increases? I've never been in an accident and have like one ticket ever. It's not like I was speeding and hit a tree lol, hopefully it won't be too bad :(
I got into an argument with my service rep because he gave me a flat "no" to warranty work. I explained that the damage was caused by a pot hole on a trail and that if I can't hit that on a street or a trail with my "trail rated" Jeep, then what good were the parts or the warranty? He explained it all away by repeating "you hit something, if you drove it off a cliff we wouldn't warranty it", though I explained that it was nothing bigger than a pot hole I've seen on the roads around town (which is true, it was a big rut, but there are bigger right outside their dealership). Whatever.
So my buddy says that he can get Chrommoly outers, but that they don't manufacture 27-spline inners, just the 30s. With all the extra stuff that might need repaired, I'm leaning more towards an insurance claim as well... but it seems like such a huge waste to put all that money into the Jeep to bring it back to stock. Any other ideas I might consider before commiting to a course?
What should I expect from an insurance claim as far as process and rate-increases? I've never been in an accident and have like one ticket ever. It's not like I was speeding and hit a tree lol, hopefully it won't be too bad :(
***erator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
This is the way I would go. Last I looked they where around $2500 and have the locker built in. I think you need to transfer your brakes over but is essentially a a bolt on deal.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Thanks a lot everyone! I never considered that they'd cut me a check and I could add my own cash... That might be the best route. I asked the dealer to do me a Mopar Dana 44, but he said there were none to be had because of Chrysler's re-org :(
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, Florida
X 100000 on the insurance. a $500 deductible is easier to swallow. They will pay the OEM replacment cost on the axle which is a chit load! getcha an upgrade quick! You rates should increase unless you have a lot of claims already. I totaled a 4runner and I am still paying the same rates as 10 years ago
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Cool guys, thanks again for the advice. I called my insurance and they're sending someone to do an estimate and they said they'll direct deposit the money. It was mentioned that there are some used 44s around, but parts are severely lacking in AK and shipping might be just as bad as getting that 60 up here... that's why I've been sitting on this so long, the few people up here that have modified their JKs seriously have been helping out, along with some others in the Jeep comminuty, but there's just not much to be had unfortunately.
So if you guys had to choose an axle online, what would you go with? I'd like a locker and either a 44 or 60, preferably not Mopar just because all the Jeepers up here swear that their stuff is weak (can you guys verify or deny that argument?), and from what the dealer is telling me, new ones are not available, and used up here are next to impossible to find.
So if you guys had to choose an axle online, what would you go with? I'd like a locker and either a 44 or 60, preferably not Mopar just because all the Jeepers up here swear that their stuff is weak (can you guys verify or deny that argument?), and from what the dealer is telling me, new ones are not available, and used up here are next to impossible to find.