Hey guys, I have a

I have some rust on the very bottom of my hatch (2001 auto XJ), I was thinking about replacing the entire back hatch. Anyone know how difficult this is to do or have any suggestions on how to get rid of the rust cheaply but effectively?

Also in idle the entire jeep is shaking and there seems to be a sound like metal rattling underneath? I'm assuming my exhaust is messed up somehow? When I put it in park though, it almost completely stops shaking and the rattle goes away....

Any help/suggestions is/are appreciated, thanks!

 

Removing the hatch isn't hard. I did it myself, it's kinda heavy and awkward. Unplug the harness and wiper fluid hose then unbolt.

Probably your catalytic convertor rattling.

 

If you mainly want to take care of rust, and it doesn't have to look perfect, I would take a wire wheel on an angle grinder and clean it down to bare metal. Then, prime with some type of rust-inhibiting primer and paint it.

 

Later model Xjs had a heat shield that almost looked like a metal cookie tray above the cat and muffler. Mine fell down and would rattle on the exhaust. I would check that first.

 

Thanks for the help guys!

So would the extreme vibrations inside the jeep at idle just be the cat? Or would I need to replace the entire exhaust from cat to muffler?

 

Is the wiring for the taillights, brakelights, etc difficult to do for a newbie?

 

You would first need to look under the Jeep and see what needs to be replaced!