XJ Preventitive Maint. recommendations
07-28-2021, 12:50 PM
#1
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
XJ Preventitive Maint. recommendations
Hey ya'll...
I've been thinking about this topic since my 99 XJ is a 2 owner (including me) since new Jan of 99.
The entire Jeep has only done about 110k; however, that being said.... she is a little over 22 years old.
And even though it hasn't been driven hard... I know the grease in the wheel bearings and things like that are probably original to the Jeep.... I don't currently have any other issues that would require me to pull those assemblies apart...
I'm looking for input on the intervals for those kinds of maint. items. When do ya'll generally do them? When something breaks? I mean this is my daily so I like to stay on top of the curve instead of behind the 8 ball for maint. on my vehicles.
Thanks!
I've been thinking about this topic since my 99 XJ is a 2 owner (including me) since new Jan of 99.
The entire Jeep has only done about 110k; however, that being said.... she is a little over 22 years old.
And even though it hasn't been driven hard... I know the grease in the wheel bearings and things like that are probably original to the Jeep.... I don't currently have any other issues that would require me to pull those assemblies apart...
I'm looking for input on the intervals for those kinds of maint. items. When do ya'll generally do them? When something breaks? I mean this is my daily so I like to stay on top of the curve instead of behind the 8 ball for maint. on my vehicles.
Thanks!
07-28-2021, 01:29 PM
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 0
Received 1,533 Likes
on
1,175 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Just do the usual maintenance and fix everything else as needed.
This excludes mods though. Upgraded battery cables, 4 hole injectors, etc.
There is one thing that I am a big fan of.
The "While we are here" school of thought.
So lets say that you had to do an axle U-Joint.
Gotta remove the hub assemblies.
Thinking "While we are here" I would put in new ones.
Things like that.
But that can expensive. Replacing parts just for the sake of replacing parts.
So you have to draw the line somewhere.
Tougher then it sounds.
You just opened up this big wide space to do something.
And you have a clear shot at something else.
And you think about it. And think about it. And think....... LOL.
This excludes mods though. Upgraded battery cables, 4 hole injectors, etc.
There is one thing that I am a big fan of.
The "While we are here" school of thought.
So lets say that you had to do an axle U-Joint.
Gotta remove the hub assemblies.
Thinking "While we are here" I would put in new ones.
Things like that.
But that can expensive. Replacing parts just for the sake of replacing parts.
So you have to draw the line somewhere.
Tougher then it sounds.
You just opened up this big wide space to do something.
And you have a clear shot at something else.
And you think about it. And think about it. And think....... LOL.
The following users liked this post:
playbass (07-28-2021)
07-28-2021, 03:37 PM
#3
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hangover, PA
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 0
Received 624 Likes
on
466 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I am with Ralph on this one and he used a perfect example. I am not going through the trouble of pulling a front axle shaft and putting everything back together with a bear unit that looks like it's been through hell and back. If it looks/feels/sounds good then no problem put her together. If it is gritty or super rusty, screw that.
Doing an axle on the front? Might aswell do the control arm bushings. It's only 4 additional bolts to remove
Leaf springs out? Replace the shackles no question.
Changing thermostat? New water pump.
New radiator? New hoses aswell.
Within reason of course. If you have the driveshaft out no need to do the driveshaft joints if you just did them a year ago.
Not thinking/working like that has bitten me in the bum in the past. I would have rather spent money or time on something else at the time and I regretted it sooner or later down the road.
Doing an axle on the front? Might aswell do the control arm bushings. It's only 4 additional bolts to remove
Leaf springs out? Replace the shackles no question.
Changing thermostat? New water pump.
New radiator? New hoses aswell.
Within reason of course. If you have the driveshaft out no need to do the driveshaft joints if you just did them a year ago.
Not thinking/working like that has bitten me in the bum in the past. I would have rather spent money or time on something else at the time and I regretted it sooner or later down the road.
07-28-2021, 04:08 PM
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 0
Received 1,533 Likes
on
1,175 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
If I ever get my Up Country leaf springs in that is what I plan.
Even broke down and bought real Mopar shackles
When I first got my Jeep as I have said kind of running not really driveable.
Needed radiator. Did that, the thermostat, the hoses, and the lower tranny line cause the rubber part was getting a notch worn in it from the steering box.
I kept on staring at the water pump. Not that it is tough to do with the radiator still in the Jeep but had a nice clean shot at it.
And I though about it. And I thought about it. And I thought....... LOL.
Well didn't do it.
In hindsight maybe I should have.
Ended up replacing it about 6 years later. LOL.
Even broke down and bought real Mopar shackles
Needed radiator. Did that, the thermostat, the hoses, and the lower tranny line cause the rubber part was getting a notch worn in it from the steering box.
I kept on staring at the water pump. Not that it is tough to do with the radiator still in the Jeep but had a nice clean shot at it.
And I though about it. And I thought about it. And I thought....... LOL.
Well didn't do it.
In hindsight maybe I should have.
Ended up replacing it about 6 years later. LOL.
07-29-2021, 01:40 AM
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 0
Received 1,533 Likes
on
1,175 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Oh and while you have things wide open and off clean things up.
Use new bolts.
My example with the U-Joint. Chances are the other side isn't far behind. Do it.
Idea being do what you got to do, replace things while you are there, button it all up, and call it a day.
And with a little luck never have to go back in there in your lifetime. LOL.
Use new bolts.
My example with the U-Joint. Chances are the other side isn't far behind. Do it.
Idea being do what you got to do, replace things while you are there, button it all up, and call it a day.
And with a little luck never have to go back in there in your lifetime. LOL.
07-29-2021, 11:49 AM
#6
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Yeah...that all makes perfect sense... another great example was years ago I had a Tacoma with the 3.4 V6. And when you did the timing belt the water pump was literally right behind it.... so might as well do both services at the same time. . why do it twice in a row when they usually lasted nearly the same amount of time on that engine.
My main thing here with the XJ is that I don't currently have any known issues with the hub assemblies, etc... I'm just thinking in my mind that that grease is probably 22 years old...even though I don't have the miles on it to wear out the parts yet.
My thought was the old ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure kinda deal.
If it's not worth going into then so be it... I was just curious if it was worth doing at this point just because of the age.
My main thing here with the XJ is that I don't currently have any known issues with the hub assemblies, etc... I'm just thinking in my mind that that grease is probably 22 years old...even though I don't have the miles on it to wear out the parts yet.
My thought was the old ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure kinda deal.
If it's not worth going into then so be it... I was just curious if it was worth doing at this point just because of the age.
Last edited by RocketMouse; 07-29-2021 at 12:06 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)