Just picked up a 1992 cherokee sport 4x4 4.0L.... this is my 3rd XJ that I've owned


I don't have a garage right now so I took her to a local NAPA shop for what seemed like bad brakes to get checked out (they squeal a lot).

After a long wait, I was told that the "knuckle" by the brake pad was worn-in but the pad was good. The knuckle was also warped so they couldn't weld new metal in for a cheap quick fix apparently.

The knuckle part they were looking to replace was seemingly not found anywhere. They finally found some somewhere and they looked to run about $400 for each (x2) with labor it came out to around $1300.


Does this sound about right? Or am I getting a run around?

I don't know much about the mechanics, but I'd like to make this Cherokee something I can work on and learn. I'd hate to pay $1,300 (which is what I paid for the car)


I'm located in the San Diego area. Here it is in the south area mountains this past weekend

 

For a steering knuckle?
Find one at a junk yard and do it yourself. It's a fairly easy swap and you will thank yourself.

 

I assume the issue is the brake pads wore a divot into the knuckle. If it is warped then finding a set at the junk yard and doing it yourself will cost like $100 or so

 

^this!!!

 

Yeah I just called the "friendly" guy who was explaining the whole brake pad & "knuckle" process to me.


I asked him specifically what it was and he said that it is a "spindle" but for lack of better knowledge it is called a Steering knuckle .

Wow is all I can say. $400 for EACH??? I'm google searching this and I'm finding them new for $99. I'm sure a junk yard would be much cheaper as well.

 

This is exactly how he explained it to me.... good job sir.

I can't believe the $1,300 over priced shop comparison to a $99 part.

 

It does take some time to swap the knuckles cause you have to remove the brakes and axle shafts w/ unit bearings. Then unbolt the ball joints and hammer the knuckle off (its a good time to do ball joints since its apart and there are right there). The price of junkyard knuckles vary depending on where you live.

You always get on a local 4x4 site and offer someone food and beer to help you with it

 

Im not going to try and justify the price but some food for thought...........

Normal markup is 100%
So if they find the part for $100.00 (Check OEM prices) it will sell for $199.99.
Its got to be 3 hours per side labor. At $100.00 hour (about normal for my neck of the woods) its now $400.00 per side.
$400.00 per side times 2 = $800.00.

As I said, Im not justifying $1300.00
Im not trying to justify $800.00
I am trying to show how the math works.

Its a crappy job to do, but if you can change a tire, and put the blow out back into the trunk, including bolting it back in. You can change the knuckle.

Ron

 

AllData

Part OEM Part Price Front Steering Knuckle Front Suspension Coil Spring Type Knuckle 2 - Right 52067576 $359.00 2 - Left 52067577 $374.00 Labor Skill
Level Mfg.
Warranty Standard Front Steering Knuckle Replace Front Suspension Knuckle One Side B 1.0 1.4 Does Not Include: Wheel Alignment.

 

I've actually used a file to smooth out the divots, a very small amount of antiseize and the brake pads slide pretty nice. Just don't put too much on so it doesn't hit the rotor.

 

X2^

I also did this, but I bought new pads and rotors to make sure the pads didn't just go back to the bad angle they were notching.

And the knuckle is $250-300 at auto-zone.

All this because the po didn't grease all the moving/sliding points. Amateur mistake.

 

Oh yea and use caliper grease not anti-seize because of the heat.