What we handle
Jeep repair and diagnostics in Mays Landing, NJ
Eight bays, foreign and domestic, with Mopar wiTECH-class diagnostic capability. We cover the routine work and most of the repair work the Jeep dealer marks up, and refer the narrow set of items only the dealer can do.
Scheduled maintenance and fluids
Oil and filter on 5W-20 / 0W-20 synthetic spec, transmission fluid exchange on the ZF 8HP and 9HP, brake fluid flush, spark plug replacement, cabin and engine air filters, all driven by the Jeep oil-life monitor and the factory interval table.
Common examples: Oil: 8,000 to 10,000 mi (monitor), Brake fluid: 3 yr, Transmission: 60,000 mi, Spark plugs: 100,000 mi
Pentastar and HEMI engine service
Pentastar 3.6L V6 covers most Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Gladiator builds from 2011 forward. We diagnose the cylinder head valve seat issue on 2011 to 2014 builds, the plastic oil cooler housing leak, the lifter and cam lobe wear pattern, and the early-build rocker arm failure. On HEMI 5.7L V8 (Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer), we handle the MDS lifter wear pattern that mirrors GM AFM failures.
Common examples: Pentastar valve seat assessment, Oil cooler housing replacement, Lifter and cam lobe diagnosis, HEMI MDS lifter inspection
Wrangler-specific work and death wobble
The Wrangler community knows its platform: JL death wobble after a bump under braking is a front-end inspection, not a magic single-part fix. We work through track bar bushings, steering dampener, ball joints, drag link, control arm bushings, and tire balance in order. On Rubicon trims, we check the front sway bar disconnect linkage and the front and rear lockers. On modified Wranglers (lift kits, larger tires), we tell you honestly which front-end components your build is going to chew through faster.
Common examples: Track bar and bushings, Steering dampener, Ball joints and drag link, Modification impact review
4xe plug-in hybrid service
Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe use a 2.0L Hurricane turbo I4 plus an electric motor and a 17 kWh HV battery. Routine work stays here: 12V auxiliary battery, inverter coolant flush, drive motor service items that match a normal shop scope, brakes, tires, suspension, AC, cabin systems. The high-voltage pack itself, charger module, and HV battery thermal system go to the Jeep dealer.
Common examples: 12V auxiliary battery, Inverter coolant flush, Brakes / tires / AC, HV pack referred to dealer
Referred to the Jeep dealer
Active warranty service, NHTSA and Jeep recall work, factory Mopar wiTECH module reflashes that require secure permissions, EcoDiesel emissions-settlement service, and high-voltage battery pack work on Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe go to the Jeep dealer in Egg Harbor Township or Atlantic City. We help coordinate the handoff with documentation.
Common examples: Active warranty service, Recall service, Factory wiTECH reflashes, 4xe HV battery pack
If you have a JL Wrangler with death wobble after a bump, a 2013 Grand Cherokee with a Pentastar oil cooler leak, a Gladiator that needs a 60,000-mile ZF 8HP fluid exchange, a Wagoneer with a HEMI tick, a JK with a TIPM that randomly drops the fuel pump, a Cherokee XJ that needs the 4.0L kept alive, or a Wrangler 4xe ready for routine service, we have done that work in this shop.
Signs your Jeep needs service
Jeeps tend to talk to their owners. The shake at highway speed, the rattle over a bump, the tick from the top end, the dash light. Here are the symptoms we see most often, and what each one usually means before we put the Jeep on the lift.
Front-end death wobble after hitting a bump
JL Wrangler classic, but JK Wranglers do it too. Hit a road seam or pothole at 45 mph and the front end starts oscillating violently until you brake hard or slow under 35. The fix is rarely one part. We work through track bar bushings, steering dampener, ball joints, drag link, and control arm bushings in priority order.
Check engine light with misfire on a Pentastar V6
On a 2011 to 2014 Wrangler JK or Grand Cherokee WK2 with a 3.6L Pentastar, a P0300-series misfire that maps to one cylinder is the cylinder head valve seat issue until proven otherwise. The exhaust valve seat drops, the valve gets damaged, and the engine can lose compression on that cylinder. We diagnose before recommending parts.
Oil weep or coolant smell from the top of the engine
On any 2011-plus Pentastar V6, the plastic oil cooler housing under the intake manifold is a known leak point. You will see oil weep down the back of the engine or a coolant smell after the engine cools. We replace the housing, the gaskets, and the cooler with the updated parts.
HEMI tick on Grand Cherokee or Wagoneer
A 5.7L HEMI tick paired with a rough idle on a Grand Cherokee or Wagoneer is usually MDS (Multi Displacement System) lifter wear and a cam lobe that has flattened. This mirrors the GM AFM failure pattern. We pull rocker covers to inspect, then quote a complete lifter, cam, and roller-arm job rather than a partial fix that returns in 30,000 miles.
Grand Cherokee Quadra-Lift fault or sits low
WK2 Grand Cherokee Overland and Summit trims with the Quadra-Lift air suspension can lose a corner overnight or throw an air suspension fault on startup. Air bag, compressor, height sensor, and the air lines are all candidates. We test the system before assuming the bag is gone, and we are honest about converting to a coil-spring kit when the customer prefers a no-air solution.
Wrangler JK with random electrical gremlins
On 2007 to 2018 Wrangler JK, intermittent no-starts, fuel pump dropouts, horn malfunctions, or wiper failures usually trace to the TIPM (totally integrated power module). The TIPM is the central relay and fuse box for the Jeep, and the early ones are known to fail in ways that look like a dozen different problems. We test, confirm, and replace.
ZF 8HP transmission shift quality change
Mopar labels the ZF 8HP as filled for life on some maintenance schedules. Real-world experience says different. At 60,000 to 80,000 miles the fluid degrades, the shift quality softens, and the early shift-by-wire shifter on Grand Cherokee WK2 builds (the one from the Anton Yelchin incident TSB) gets touchier. A fluid exchange with the correct Mopar ZF 8&9HP ATF keeps the 8HP shifting cleanly past 200,000 miles.
4xe charging or reduced electric range
On Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe, a charging fault, a thermal warning, or noticeably reduced electric-only range can be the 12V auxiliary battery, the charger module, the HV pack thermal loop, or the HV pack itself. We diagnose with our scan tool, address the 12V and inverter-coolant items here, and refer HV pack work to the Jeep dealer.
Two or more at once, do not wait. Jeep repairs are usually cheaper when caught earlier rather than later, and death wobble is a safety item that does not get better on its own.
Jeep service for Mays Landing and Atlantic County owners
Same family, same eight bays, same corner of Mays Landing since 1981. We serve Hamilton Township, Egg Harbor Township, Northfield, Somers Point, Folsom, Buena Vista, and the rest of Atlantic County. Most Jeep owners we see drive in from those towns plus Hammonton, Vineland, Millville, and the shore towns. The Pine Barrens and the beach are full of Wranglers; we have worked on plenty of them.
The nearest Jeep dealer in Egg Harbor Township or Atlantic City is fifteen to twenty-five minutes from our shop, so the dealer story for Jeep owners is not really about distance. It is about hourly rate, parts markup, and scheduling. A 60,000-mile service at the dealer easily runs an afternoon and a four-figure check; the same intervals at Kneble's run at standard independent labor rates with the same Mopar-spec parts when you want them. The dealer keeps the work that needs the dealer: active warranty, recall service, factory wiTECH reflashes, and 4xe HV battery pack work.
Helpful details to mention
- Vehicle year, model, and trim (Wrangler JL Rubicon, Grand Cherokee Limited, Gladiator Mojave, Wagoneer Series II, etc.)
- Mileage
- Which dash light is on, or what the Uconnect screen is showing
- What changed and when (sound, feel, smell, performance, fuel economy)
- For JL Wrangler: when the front-end shake started and at what speed
- Most recent dealer or shop visit and what they did
- Whether the Jeep is still under factory, extended, or 4xe HV warranty
- Modifications: lift kit, larger tires, aftermarket bumpers, winch, regear
The more we know up front, the more accurate the estimate and the timeline.
Customer proof
Service was performed quickly and the Kneble Team provided great communication throughout the visit.Robert Orzechowski, Google review
Questions before scheduling?
Talk with us about Jeep Repair and Service in Mays Landing, NJ
Tell us the model, the year, the mileage, and what changed. If it is a routine item, we book the visit and quote it on arrival. If it is a dealer-only item, we save you the trip and tell you where to take it.
Service guide
Jeep Repair and Service in Mays Landing, NJ Service Guide
Topic-based reference for the Pentastar V6 known-failure list, the JL Wrangler death-wobble diagnosis path, the ZF 8HP fluid-interval reality, the 4xe scope-shield, and how the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects Jeep owners using independent shops.
In this guide
- What stays at Kneble's and what gets referred to the dealer
- Pentastar 3.6L V6 known failures and how we diagnose them
- JL Wrangler death wobble: what it is and how we fix it
- The ZF 8HP transmission and the "filled for life" myth
- The 4xe plug-in hybrid line: what we cover, what stays with the dealer
- How we protect your Jeep warranty
01 of 06, What stays
What stays at Kneble's and what gets referred to the dealer
Kneble's services routine maintenance, brakes, suspension (including JL Wrangler death-wobble work and Grand Cherokee Quadra-Lift air suspension), AC, electrical diagnostics, transmission service on the ZF 8HP and 9HP, Pentastar and HEMI engine repair, and 4xe routine work on Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. The dealer keeps active warranty service, recall service, factory Mopar wiTECH reflashes, EcoDiesel emissions-settlement work, and high-voltage battery pack service on the 4xe line.
Read more about What stays at Kneble's and what gets referred to the dealer
Why we draw the line where we do
Honest service requires honest limits. Independent shops that promise factory wiTECH reflashes or 4xe HV battery work without Mopar permissions either use third-party tools that void warranties or are exaggerating. Customers find out the hard way. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects owners using independent shops for routine service, but only when the independent shop respects the line.
How the handoff works
If a 2024 Wrangler 4xe under active warranty comes in with a charging fault, we diagnose what we can with our scan tool, document it for the customer to take to the dealer, and refer the actual HV repair so warranty coverage stays intact. Same answer on any active recall: Jeep pays the dealer for that work, so there is no reason for you to pay us for it.
02 of 06, Pentastar 3.6L
Pentastar 3.6L V6 known failures and how we diagnose them
The Pentastar 3.6L V6 is the most common Jeep engine from 2011 forward, covering Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Gladiator. The engine has a strong reputation overall, but a handful of failure modes show up enough that any honest shop has to know them cold.
Read more about Pentastar 3.6L V6 known failures and how we diagnose them
Cylinder head valve seat (2011 to 2014)
The exhaust valve seat drops on the left-side cylinder head, the valve gets damaged, and the engine throws a cylinder-specific misfire. Chrysler covered the issue under a limited extended warranty after a class action; that warranty has expired on most affected vehicles. We diagnose with a compression and leak-down test, and we quote head replacement honestly rather than parts-throwing at a misfire.
Plastic oil cooler housing leak
The Pentastar oil cooler housing sits under the intake manifold and is made of plastic. With age and heat cycles, it cracks or distorts at the gasket surface and leaks oil down the back of the engine, sometimes mixing oil into the coolant. We replace the housing with an updated part and the related gaskets in one pass.
Lifter and cam lobe wear
Higher-mileage Pentastars (Wrangler JK, Grand Cherokee WK2) develop lifter collapse and cam lobe wear, usually showing as a top-end tick that worsens with engine load. We pull valve covers to confirm, then quote a complete lifter and cam job. Partial fixes on this wear pattern do not last.
Early rocker arm failure (2011 to 2013 JK Wrangler)
A separate failure from the lifter pattern: rocker arm breakage on early Pentastars caused misfires and check-engine codes. Most of these have been addressed by now, but we still see the occasional one come in with the original part.
Tell us what changed, when it started, and what you drive. We can help decide whether to start with an inspection, alignment check, or related repair.
03 of 06, JL Wrangler
JL Wrangler death wobble: what it is and how we fix it
Death wobble is a violent front-end oscillation on a solid-front-axle Jeep, typically triggered by hitting a bump at 35 to 55 mph. The 2018 to current JL Wrangler made it famous, and NHTSA opened an investigation. JK Wranglers and older TJs do it too. The Wrangler community knows it; new owners often do not until it happens to them. It is a safety issue, not a quirk.
Read more about JL Wrangler death wobble: what it is and how we fix it
The diagnosis path
Death wobble is rarely one part. We work through the front end in priority order: track bar bushings (most common root cause), steering dampener, ball joints, drag link ends, control arm bushings, tire balance, and wheel runout. We road test on a known-rough section of road at the speed the customer reports, replicate the symptom, and isolate the offender.
Lift kits and larger tires
Modified Wranglers chew through front-end components faster. We are honest with customers about which lift configurations are aggressive on ball joints and track bars, and we tell you what the realistic service interval looks like for your build.
The retest
After a death-wobble repair, the Wrangler does not leave until it has been retested at 35 mph over the same rough section that caused the problem. If the shake returns, the repair is not done. That is the standard.
04 of 06, The ZF
The ZF 8HP transmission and the "filled for life" myth
The ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic is in nearly every modern Jeep with a non-CVT transmission: Wrangler JL, Grand Cherokee WK2 and WL, Gladiator, Wagoneer, and Cherokee in some trims. ZF and Mopar label the unit as filled for life on some maintenance schedules. The reality is different. The fluid breaks down, the friction modifiers fade, and at 60,000 to 80,000 miles the shift quality starts to soften.
Read more about The ZF 8HP transmission and the "filled for life" myth
Why we change it anyway
A fluid exchange with the correct Mopar ZF 8&9HP ATF at 60,000 miles keeps the 8HP shifting cleanly past 200,000 miles. We pull the pan, change the filter where serviceable, and refill to spec. The cost is small. The alternative, a ZF 8HP valve body or transmission replacement, is not.
Valve body and shifter notes
Earlier WK2 Grand Cherokee builds (the ones with the monostable shift-by-wire shifter from the Anton Yelchin incident TSB) and some early-build ZF 8HP valve bodies show their own quirks. We diagnose shift quality issues with the wiTECH scan reading shift counters and adapt values, not by guessing.
Substitution risks
Generic ATF in a ZF 8HP is one of the easier ways to damage the transmission. The specification is specific; we use Mopar ZF 8&9HP ATF every time.
Tell us the year, make, model, and what you are noticing, and we will say what to check first.
05 of 06, The 4xe
The 4xe plug-in hybrid line: what we cover, what stays with the dealer
Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe combine a 2.0L Hurricane turbo I4 with an electric motor and a 17 kWh high-voltage battery. The platform follows a clear scope-shield: the items every car has stay at Kneble's; the items only an HV plug-in has stay with the Jeep dealer.
Read more about The 4xe plug-in hybrid line: what we cover, what stays with the dealer
What stays at Kneble's
Tires, brakes (regenerative braking changes pad and rotor wear patterns; we still inspect on the normal schedule), suspension, cabin AC, cabin electronics, 12V auxiliary battery (the small standard battery every 4xe has), inverter coolant flush at the Mopar-recommended interval, wiper blades, and cabin filter. Most 4xe routine work is shop-equivalent and well within our scope.
What goes to the dealer
High-voltage battery pack, charger module, HV battery thermal management system, DC fast-charge interface, and any HV component that requires de-energizing the pack. Those items need the dealer's factory permissions and Mopar wiTECH HV tooling. The 4xe HV warranty is 8 years / 100,000 miles, and using the dealer for HV work keeps that intact.
New Wagoneer S and Recon EVs
The all-electric Wagoneer S and Recon, built on the STLA Large platform, are not yet in our active service scope. As tooling and training catch up, we will update this page.
06 of 06, How we
How we protect your Jeep warranty
The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. section 2302) prohibits Jeep from voiding your warranty because routine maintenance was done at an independent shop. Mopar's published warranty terms acknowledge this. We document every service per Mopar standards and refer warranty-eligible items back to the dealer.
Read more about How we protect your Jeep warranty
What we keep on file for you
Printed and digital service records that match the format Jeep expects. Parts receipts when we use OE-equivalent parts. If the dealer ever pushes back on a warranty claim, those documents are how Magnuson-Moss protections work in practice.
What we will not touch
Anything Jeep covers under active warranty (powertrain within the 5-year / 60,000-mile window, 4xe HV components within the 8-year / 100,000-mile window, all current recall items, EcoDiesel emissions-settlement service) goes to the dealer. Independent shops that promise warranty work either are not telling the truth about what Jeep will honor or are billing for work the dealer would have done for free.
Call the shop or request an appointment and include the vehicle year, make, model, mileage, and symptoms.
FAQs
Jeep service FAQs
Is the Pentastar valve seat issue still covered under the extended warranty?
For most affected 2011 to 2014 Wrangler JK and Grand Cherokee WK2 owners, no. Chrysler issued a limited extended warranty after the class action, but the time and mileage windows have closed on most vehicles. We diagnose the failure honestly, quote head replacement at independent rates, and tell you whether the repair makes sense on the overall condition of the engine and the vehicle.
How do you actually diagnose JL Wrangler death wobble?
We work through the front end in priority order: track bar bushings (most common root cause), steering dampener, ball joints, drag link ends, control arm bushings, tire balance, and wheel runout. We road test on a known-rough section of road at the speed the customer reports, replicate the symptom, and isolate the part causing it. After the repair, the Wrangler does not leave until it has been retested at 35 mph over that same section.
I want to buy a used JK Wrangler. What should I check first?
Three things on a pre-purchase inspection. First, the Pentastar V6 cylinder head history on 2012 to 2014 builds (any record of head replacement, valve seat work, or a current misfire). Second, the front end: track bar, steering dampener, ball joints, and signs of past death-wobble work. Third, the modifications: lift kits, larger tires, regear, winch, and bumpers all affect what front-end components have been wearing faster. We do all three on a Jeep pre-purchase inspection.
Is the 4xe HV battery still under warranty if I bring my Wrangler 4xe to Kneble's?
Yes, as long as you bring HV pack work to the Jeep dealer. We do not touch the high-voltage battery pack, the charger module, the HV thermal system, or the DC fast-charge interface. Those go to the dealer under the 8-year / 100,000-mile 4xe HV warranty. We handle the 12V auxiliary battery, the inverter coolant flush, brakes, tires, suspension, and the routine items the warranty is not paying for anyway.
Does the ZF 8HP really need a fluid change if Mopar says it is filled for life?
Yes. The "filled for life" label on the ZF 8HP is marketing more than engineering. Real-world experience across thousands of Jeeps shows the fluid breaks down by 60,000 to 80,000 miles, the shift quality softens, and the valve body gets confused. A Mopar ZF 8&9HP ATF exchange at 60,000 miles keeps the 8HP shifting cleanly past 200,000 miles. The cost of the service is small relative to the cost of a valve body or transmission replacement.
I have a Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel. Are you set up to service it?
The Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is a diesel, and we do not service diesel vehicles. Engine, fuel-system, and emissions work (DPF, DEF, the items the FCA EcoDiesel settlement covered) goes to a dedicated diesel specialist, and we will point you to one. The gasoline Grand Cherokee, of course, we service in full.
Will I lose my Jeep warranty if I use Kneble's instead of the dealer?
No. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents Jeep from voiding your warranty because routine maintenance was done at an independent shop. Keep every service record we hand you (printed receipt and digital copy), keep the parts receipts, and bring those to the dealer if they ever push back on a warranty claim.
What should I ask any independent shop before booking my Jeep?
Three things. First, do they have an OEM-level scan tool that reads Mopar wiTECH proprietary protocol (not just generic OBD-II). Second, will they give you a written estimate before any repair starts. Third, what happens if they find a warranty-eligible item or a 4xe HV item during the visit; the right answer is they hand it off to the dealer with documentation, not that they try to fix it themselves.
Further reading and viewing
Related Kneble's coverage for Jeep and Mopar-platform owners
Jeep-related and adjacent service content from the Kneble's library if you want to dig deeper.
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Local shop
Visit Kneble's in Mays Landing
5473 Somers Point Road, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Five minutes off Route 40 between the Hamilton Mall and Lake Lenape. Ten minutes from the Atlantic City Expressway Exit 17. Twelve minutes from EHT and Northfield. Fifteen minutes from Somers Point along Mays Landing-Somers Point Road. From Folsom or Buena Vista, take 322 east, then south on Somers Point Road. Freddy J's Bar & Kitchen is nearby at 5698 Somers Point Road if you want to grab food before or after the appointment.
- Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm
- Saturday 8am to 4pm
- Sunday Closed
Reviews
Trusted by South Jersey drivers
Customers come to Kneble's for clear communication, practical recommendations, and repairs handled by a local team they can reach directly.
Friendly receptionist. In and out within 45 mins.
Janet Jackson, Google review
Service was performed quickly and the Kneble Team provided great communication throughout the visit.
Robert Orzechowski, Google review
Excellent quick service by personable staff and very qualified techs at a reasonable charge.
Glenn Peterson, Google review
Very good service here. Treated us very well. Great conversation with Carmen.
Gary Mazzone, Google review