Sep 21, 2015, 03:49 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: General Overview
- Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 1999 to 2004 Crash Test and Safety Ratings
Important Information to help you understand your Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Browse all: General Overview
XJ Ask the Question Thread
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That's good news. Gear oil will weep out the rubber plug, but if its dripping out then either the oil has thinned, plug is going bad, vent hose is blocked, or a combination of the three. I suggest replacing the gear oil in front and rear differentials also, especially if you do not know when it was last done.
Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: hambleton, wv
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That's good news. Gear oil will weep out the rubber plug, but if its dripping out then either the oil has thinned, plug is going bad, vent hose is blocked, or a combination of the three. I suggest replacing the gear oil in front and rear differentials also, especially if you do not know when it was last done.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Swaps between stock axles, while heavy, are trivial compared to regearing; much cheaper and more convenient. 3.55:1 axles are under most XJs out there so very easy to find: My rear axle cost me $80 and some gas. I threw new wheel seals and bearings in, ($25?) cleaned and painted it (supplies $20 + time). Also took the opportunity to upgrade to disc brakes. My front cost some gas to go pick it up (free). I put in new hubs and all seals ($150?), swapped my axle shafts with new U joints already in 'em ($25), and of course cleaned and painted. Outside of the diffs it's almost like two new axles for less than the cost of doing gears... and not replacing or refreshing anything else.
Also worth mentioning I have no garage and the XJ is my daily driver so downtime was just to swap them. The front axle sucked on account of getting the control arms bolted up, I did need a hand for that.
Also worth mentioning I have no garage and the XJ is my daily driver so downtime was just to swap them. The front axle sucked on account of getting the control arms bolted up, I did need a hand for that.
Herp Derp Jerp
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
If the hole isn't tapped (using a nut and bolt) I'd just pick up whatever fits and toss it in.
Negative, front is larger than the rear. The bolts are the same though.
Negative, front is larger than the rear. The bolts are the same though.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,219
Likes: 45
From: west chester, pa
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
☠ CF Sheriff ☠
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts