I have a 96 Jeep Cherokee that has its wheel bearings going out. I also have a 2001 jeep Cherokee for parts only. My question is if I can switch out the front axle from the 2001 and put it into the 96? Or should i just replace the wheel bearings on the 96 axle?

I believe the unit bearing is different and the 00-01 are low pinion it could work if its the same gearing in it.

Replace wheel bearings vs replace complete axle....hmmmmm


wheel bearings would be my choice.....less hassle and less time, but may not be cheaper

Nothing implied against you at all, but this line made me chuckle a bit. You have no idea how many times I have thought this to be the case and then the concept gets completely squashed by Murphy's law.

The complete assembly will fit and work if they're the same gear ratio.

btw..... its axle......bearings is my vote.

Spelling. A lost art.

Just be sure it is in fact the unit bearings and not carrier bearings first, eh?

Wait.. OP wants to swap the front axle instead of replacing the hub bearings?????

Might as well replace the hub-bearings in the axle you are swapping in also.

Waitaminute.........

Your 96 has the high pinion which is stronger than the low pinion in the 01. I would just change the wheel bearings it isn't that difficult.

I've done the complete axle swap twice this past summer. Long story. lol...

It's a lot of work but not bad. 98 Dana 30 HP into a 2001 with a Dana 30 LP. Everything matched perfectly as a complete swap.

You could choose to swap in the 01, assuming the same gear ratio, but it too could eventually have bad wheel bearings too.

The 01 wheel bearings and brake rotors are different than your 96 but they can be swapped in as long as they are kept together. Example, if you want to put 01 wheel bearings into the 96, match them to 01 brake rotors.

Just replace the 96 wheel bearings. Much less work than swapping the whole axle and you will have good bearings for a long time.

^^^ this should be the decision maker for you right here. Very important point concerning the difference in low and high pinions on these.

A moog unit bearing is only 100 bucks from ricer zone aka autozone 75 on rockauto