96_XJ_Boy

okay, i have a 96 cherokee. love it to death.. but here lately its been rattling, and when i press in the brakes, i goes away.. i'd say its either a wheel bearing or a ball joint.. hopefully a wheel bearing.. ball joints are $300+ a side please help!

Radi

Check your brakes first. Rattle that goes away when you hit the brakes is most often brakes. I bet your front pads are the culprit since you seem to suggest the noise is from the front. If the noise is from the rear- the hardware back there doesn't last forever. I pulled my rear drums and found most of the springs, etc rusted away.

96_XJ_Boy

thanks man. come to think of it, it didn't start until i changed them.. i'll check it out tomorrow. also, the inside of my drivers side tire is wearing more than the other side??

96_XJ_Boy

i just want it to go away, the rattling is so loud and embarrassing! lol

Radi

Either you are taking left turns Nascar style or your camber is out of spec.

Did you replace the rattle clips on the front pads?

96_XJ_Boy

yes, i got new ones with it.. i can get new ones.. it does it in a straight line.. idk

Radi

Inner edge tire wear that's only happening on one side- something is changing the camber on that side forcing the top of the tire inward (or the bottom outward). You can use a carpenter's level across the tire vertically to compare left tire to right.
Camber isn't adjustable on a stock XJ so you're looking for something bent, bad ball joint, that sort of thing. Have you made any changes to the suspension? Any accident damage to either front corner?

96_XJ_Boy

nope. all stock. it pops sometimes too.. hell idk. i'll try the level tomorrow