Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here! ZJ (93-98), WJ (99-04), WK (05+)
All ZJ/WJ/WK specific tech questions asked here!

1996 rust? Worth fixing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-11-2015, 12:15 AM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default 1996 rust? Worth fixing?

Where do i even begin to start fixing/replacing all this? Lol





















































Old 07-11-2015, 03:33 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

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.
Old 07-11-2015, 07:24 AM
  #3  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by andrewmp6
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?
Old 07-11-2015, 11:10 AM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Anyone?
Old 07-11-2015, 11:21 AM
  #5  
Old fart with a wrench
 
dave1123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Posts: 14,398
Received 723 Likes on 628 Posts
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

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.

Last edited by dave1123; 07-11-2015 at 11:27 AM.
Old 07-11-2015, 11:38 AM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by dave1123
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.
I got this thing for $1000 I don't really want to put a lot of money into, I know I definitely need new tires and shocks. The front differential is definitely leaking, and both front wheels have differential grease all over them. Here's some more pics











































Old 07-11-2015, 04:50 PM
  #7  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default


















































































Old 07-11-2015, 07:04 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

The body structure looks to be in really good shape. The brake lines are the only safety concern I would have.
Old 07-11-2015, 07:47 PM
  #9  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Bustedback
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?
Old 07-11-2015, 07:53 PM
  #10  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default


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











Old 07-11-2015, 08:26 PM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

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.
Old 07-12-2015, 09:22 AM
  #12  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Breaky0self's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default Screw it

I sold it this morning for $500 bucks lol
Old 07-12-2015, 11:14 AM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
caged's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 7,874
Received 94 Likes on 85 Posts
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

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.
Old 07-12-2015, 12:24 PM
  #14  
Old fart with a wrench
 
dave1123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Posts: 14,398
Received 723 Likes on 628 Posts
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

$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.
Old 07-12-2015, 12:30 PM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
Waynerd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North canaan Connecticut
Posts: 1,469
Received 26 Likes on 26 Posts
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

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.


Quick Reply: 1996 rust? Worth fixing?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:37 PM.