I HAVE A 1999 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, 112,000 MILES. JUST FOUND OUT BALL BEARINGS NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC SAID WOULD COST $1,600- $1,700 TO FIX AND THAT THE RODS OR CRANK MAY NEED REPLACING BUT HE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL HE GETS "IN THERE" IS THIS TRUE? CAN A JEEP DEALER TELL WITH JUST CHANGING THE BALL BEARINGS AND /OR SHOULD I EVEN BOTHER GETTING THIS FIXED? (PLEASE DON'T SAY TOO BAD I DID NOT GO FOR CASH FOR CLUNKERS!!) LTW

First, what seems to be the problem? Second, engines don't use "ball bearings" (not on the rods or mains anyway). Third, yes catastrophic engine failures can be detected without taking anything apart. Fourth, no, he cannot say for certain that the rods or crank might be bad without taking it apart. Go back to first and tell us what is really going on. First, what seems to be the problem? Second, engines don't use "ball bearings" (not on the rods or mains anyway). Third, yes catastrophic engine failures can be detected without taking anything apart. Fourth, no, he cannot say for certain that the rods or crank might be bad without taking it apart. Go back to first and tell us what is really going on.