Front Wheels lock up when i tighten lug nuts Help

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Oct 9, 2018 | 06:22 PM

#16

RonniePhil27

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazer 2008

are your rims hitting the caliper ?

no spins freely with rims off . But if you even hand tighten the lug nuts with the rims off the hub won’t turn.

Oct 10, 2018 | 09:49 AM

#17

gw204

Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 41

Likes: 1

Model: Cherokee

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatHenry

The "proper" fix for ruts in the knuckle is to weld new metal into the ruts and grind and smooth it back to the original level. Or replace the knuckle, but it is probably cheaper to do the weld even if you have to have someone come to you to do it.

If the ruts are not super deep, you can attempt to smooth them out so the pad can move. I did this on mine as a temporary fix until I can properly correct them - of course, I didn't have any problems prior to smoothing.

I ground out the grooves in the ruts on my knuckles, filled them gray MarineTex (epoxy putty) and then sanded them flush. I've probably only put about 5,000 miles on it since doing so but the epoxy seems to be holding up great so far.

http://marinetex.com/products/marine-tex-products/marine-tex-epoxy-putty/

Welding would definitely be a better repair, but I wasn't set up to do that.

Last edited by gw204; Oct 10, 2018 at 09:52 AM.

Oct 10, 2018 | 11:56 AM

#18

texastaz38

Seasoned Member

Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 352

Likes: 6

From: Pampa, Texas

Year: 1986

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 2.5 liter

Have the wheel hubs been changed? There are different depth wheel hubs...I'm not sure when the year changes were but if the hubs were changed and it still had old brake pads, it could have worked fine but new pads would have made the offset too much or too little. I believe there is like a 1/4" difference in the hubs, I not for sure. Just a thought.

Happy Jeepin'
TexasTaz38

Last edited by texastaz38; Oct 10, 2018 at 11:57 AM. Reason: additional info correction

Oct 10, 2018 | 12:48 PM

#19

PatHenry

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,700

Likes: 238

From: Groton, MA

Year: 1995

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: I6 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastaz38

This is a possibility as well. It looks like the 98 only had the old style hubs whereas the 99+ had the different hubs depending on rotor construction.

However unless you owned the Jeep new, then it's possible a P.O. used the wrong hubs.

I have an old hub out of mine (the old style which 98 should use as well) if you want any measurements - just let me know.

Oct 11, 2018 | 08:15 AM

#20

CRLAMBERTJR

Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 534

Likes: 2

From: Kentucky

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0L I-6

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatHenry

I have a 99, and that's exactly what happened to me. The PO had installed the hubs for cast rotors with the longer studs. They didn't do the brakes ! It went together fine with WORN pads !!! I replaced the hubs with the shorter lug version for 99.5 with composite rotors. Used Centric 120.67022 rotors and Akebono ACT3 Ceramic Pads. Another thing,,, if you tighten the lug nuts up against the rotors w/o the wheel on, the seats go down into the holes and pushes the rotor over against the pad. That may be it as well. My best guess is wrong combo of parts.

Last edited by CRLAMBERTJR; Oct 11, 2018 at 08:20 AM.