New to the Cherokee
 

I have owned several wranglers, but this is my first cherokee. Just picked it up a few months ago. I am really liking it so far. It is a 2000 sport 4wd. I have been messing with a few things to get it running right. Had to replace the fuel pump/plugs. I was under it the other day and noticed a few things I wanted to run past the experts.

First, my passenger side suspension coil. The Rubber cushion piece has fallen out and is rolling around in the coil. I tried to get it back in, but didn't have much luck with the only 2 fingers I could get in there. Can you get those rubber stoppers back in? How?

Second, there is a fabric-like material between the front axle and bottom of engine. Never had this on any wrangler. Must be for protection against debris getting up there. There is a small rip in it at one of the angles. Must be flapping around a little, I notice a little noise while driving. Any harm in taking it out?

Lastly, It is an automatic, sometimes when I am stopped and in gear, I get a rattle, seems like undernearth the console area. Drop it back into neutral and it stops. Any idea what is loose? Or how to get to it?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

I am guessing your first ? is about the bumpstop if so get it back in place and use a pry bar or something similar to pry up on it til it pops in place. The rattle I have in my 98 and have not found what is causing I have gotten used to it. And the thing in the engine is a splash guard and I have not had mine there for 3yrs and no problems other than having to clean the engine more often.

Thanks for the help.

The suspension piece is called an "Isolator" you can put it back with a coil spring compressor.
The splash guard is often removed but it has a purpose and that is to keep water/mud/debris out of the altenator.
The rattle is probably a bad tranny mount. I have never seen one go out on a 2000 but have had to replace the ones on all 3 XJs I have owned 90, 92, and 96.