NHTSA Complaint #719472 — 1994 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

ON 10-11-99 THE ABOVE AUTO HAD A FLAT TIRE, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON THE VECH. BY THE FACTORY ORIGINAL SPARE, A T155/90D16. THE TIRES ON THE BALANCE OF THE AUTO WERE P235/75R15. THE SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE RIGHT REAR. WHILE DRIVING A FEW SHORT MILES, THE CAR SEEMED UNRESPONSIVE IN HANDLING, AND SMOKE/FLUID STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASES. THE AUTO WAS THEN TRAILERED TO THE JEEP DEALER LISTED. THE NEXT DAY THE FRONT AND REAR TRANSFER CASES WERE INSPECTED, NO DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE, SEALS AND FLUID REPLACED. SINCE THAT TIME, THE REAR OF THE AUTO HAS BEEN "GROWLING"(AS THE SERVICE TECH CALLED IT). NOW THE DIAGNOSIS IS AXLE PROBLEMS POSSIBLE, WITH THE REPAIR BILL AT APPROX $1500.00. MY CONTENTION IS THAT ALL OF THIS WAS DUE TO AN INCORRECT SIZE SPARE BEING PLACED IN THE VECHILE WHEN MANUFACTURED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THREE ENGINEERS IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY THAT SAY THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE SMALL SPARE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER ACTION WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER/JEEP ON THIS ISSUE? I AM SENDING A LETTER TODAY TO JEEP SEEKINGRESOLUTION ON THE MATTER. ANY SUGGESTIONS.