Jeep Cherokee Forum - 1996 rust? Worth fixing?

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1996 rust? Worth fixing?

All i see wrong is two dead shocks both front axle seals leaking and maybe a t case leak.The rust you see most of it is just surface rust nothing major.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewmp6 (Post 3111036)

All i see wrong is two dead shocks both front axle seals leaking and maybe a t case leak.The rust you see most of it is just surface rust nothing major.

Are all these issues pretty easy to fix?

The control arm mounts on the frame look good, but the control arms themselves look awful rusty in the bushing areas. Also the front spring pockets look questionable. The rest just looks normal for a north country 96 in good shape.

JMHO, but fix the important things like fuel and brake lines and deal with whatever else needs attention. I'm afraid if you try to replace those control arm bushings, the arms will crumble. It's been said that WJ (99-04) control arms are stronger and fit fine. Junkyard time well spent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1123 (Post 3111129)

The body structure looks to be in really good shape. The brake lines are the only safety concern I would have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bustedback (Post 3111234)

The body structure looks to be in really good shape. The brake lines are the only safety concern I would have.

What about the shocks/struts, control arms, and all the grease on the 2 front rims? You think that's from the front differential (looks like it's leaking) or the break rotors/lines?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...144370a3cf.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bustedback (Post 3111234)

The body structure looks to be in really good shape. The brake lines are the only safety concern I would have.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bbe8baecb2.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2ca8f176c6.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1ea9d41ca9.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...63bc32fe49.jpg

The inner axle seals are definitely leaking and the shocks are pretty much worthless, but those brake lines can cause major problems if one happens to burst.

I sold it this morning for $500 bucks lol

that's too bad, it wouldn't have cost you very much to fix those issues, just some time and elbow grease.

both inner axle seals, those are relatively cheap.
pinion seal, same thing, pretty cheap.
diff cover leak, would be fixed when you do inner axle seals anyways.
t-case leak, simple fix.

brake lines if they are chipping with rust, a little surface rust should still be fine.

don't worry about the control arms if they're not rotting and the bushings aren't sloppy.

grease on tie rod ends is just from filling them, change them only if there's play.

it looks like it has been sitting for a few months to a year judging by the surface rust on the driveshaft and brackets.

too bad you sold it tho, it would have been under the 500 bux you lost on the deal to fix it up, including some decent used rubber.

but now that it's gone, find yourself a nice xj.

$1000 was a good price for what you bought and it's condition. I hope you don't think you'll find another one in better shape for the same price.

That looks like an average Connecticut vehicle. For less than the $500 you just lost on it u could have dropped it off at a shop and had new axle seals and shocks and driven it for a few years just making sure to keep an eye on the levels of the fluids it was seeping.