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Hey all, Im getting a bit scared at the amount of rust that is flaking off the brake calipers and suspension arm area. Does this look structurally sound? I think I have a bad bearing passenger side (which was why I was inspecting today) but I dont want to put money into something that needs other work that is beyond repair. From what I can tell these areas are the worst rust areas of the jeep. I do have rust on the rocker panels too. The only other threads with concerning rust was someones 2001 that looked excellent compared to mine...I dont want to part with this vehicle, but fear its nearing the end of the road.... 240k miles
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yeah, you have some serious problems there. The drag link can be replaced cheaply. That's no big deal at all. Same with brake calipers. That axle, though.... What he said ^^^
Need more pictures as stated above to see condition of the rest of the Jeep.
Just going off what we see here, I'd start looking for a replacement axle now just based on what I see. People off load them for pretty cheap typically. The swaybar link looks like it's about 2 bumps away from just breaking in two pieces. The bumpstop laying inside your spring is probably just rotted the frame side receptacle for it looks like it's still in good shape so a new set of bumpstops and you'll be good for that part.
20 dollars for new bump stops(ignore the fact it says swybar bushing they're bumpstops)
I'd replace all the front brake parts. New soft lines, calipers, rotors, pads. That sounds daunting and expensive but new name brand brake parts from a place like Rock Auto are pretty reasonably priced.
It's almost like someone at the factory just decided not to treat the axle on that Jeep with any rust prevention at all. The one control Arm I can see looks good, the frame/body that we can see looks decent. The Axle is just rotting off of it.
Thanks for all the input! I looked at the other side and I already see a broken sway bar link, so thats on the order list, Ill also get those bump stops. Here are more pictures, how are my rocker plates? I took a picture of the worst side, along with more shots of the worst of the front rust areas. I uploaded smaller pictures so it fits better.
Thanks for all the input! I looked at the other side and I already see a broken sway bar link, so thats on the order list, Ill also get those bump stops. Here are more pictures, how are my rocker plates? I took a picture of the worst side, along with more shots of the worst of the front rust areas. I uploaded smaller pictures so it fits better.
I'm gonna be honest, that's alot. Now having said that, there's alot of replacement and weld in parts available. It's all what you want to do
I'm not saying cut it loose. You need to weigh your options.if you can weld and do body work, get the rockers and fix it. If you can't and s gonna cost alot to have someone else do it, that's another story. Do you deal with it, or pay to have it fixed? Do you buy another xj for 2k, and swap all your good stuff over?
Last edited by Jpoe0108; May 25, 2020 at 07:59 PM.
Well it's a candidate for boat sides 😬. For the immediate future I'd still be more worried about the safety of the axle and suspension over the rocker rust. Have you looked under the carpet yet?
From what I can see It's not that bad it definitely looks worse than it probably is. Mine had holes too but they were more on the shock mount which carried more load than the top of the coil bucket you picture. If you want to keep the axle and you don't have any other holes forming you will be able to run that for a while before it becomes a hazard. I'd obviously clean it up and get some paint on it to prevent further rot. Also goes without saying you'll probably be replacing the drag link, sway bar links and bushings, TRE's etc. In the end you may as well just find someone unloading a dana 30 that's in better shape and swap it in with the new parts (including ball joints and maybe axle seals) once you get the new one looking spiffy.
Lol. I mean you're right, and if it were about the unibody or bodywork I would agree but if the pictured is really the worst of it there's no need to tell scary rust stories around the campfire. I would def want to check the shock mounts and control arm brackets tho (for real). Anyway come up to New England and I'll show you some rust that will make you never want to drive again lol
Rust after 21 years? Serviceable?
