1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic from North America - Comments

The wheel hubs had to be replaced at 3000 miles.

The brakes have squeaked since we owned it. Dealer says it is normal.

Rear brake drums had to be replaced at 19,000. Due to being warped.

A clunking noise is coming from the rear of the vehicle (again) when applying the brakes at moderate speeds.

This is only to name a few problems with the brakes.

There is obviously a problem with the brake system on this vehicle, and I am getting no help from the dealer.

The car rides good and has plenty power.

The clunking is not necessarily the brakes. Could be bushings. When the brakes are applied the bushings that are part of the wheel stabilizers are worn or faulty...a simple matter to fix.

The wife and I own a 2000 Cherokee with 44000 miles.

We own her. She drives her. I fix her.

Twice she's had a clunking noise, much as you describe.

Here's how WE'VE fixed her:

Put her in the air (with no load on her rear springs).

Cleaned the grime from between her springs (rust and grime binds her springs).

Used hi-pressure water and compressed air (ensured I had all the rust & grime out).

Spread the spring-pack slightly small screwdriver and sprayed in some silicone grease.

Blew the grease through with compressed air to ensure her springs well lubricated.

Note: Her rear brakes were dragging? *

So, under light braking we'd hear her clicking or clunking but, under hard braking not so much.

We did a good cleaning of her rear brakes including the drums (got all of the grime out).

Then we adjusted the rear brakes, so they don't drag, scuff, or click (without brakes applied.)

We put her back together.

Wife test-drove - No noise:)!

If the noise comes back, I'll do her again . . . Good Truck!

*If her park brake set, but is not well enough SET to stop her, and someone tells her to back-up,

She Will!

And as she does, she automatically re-adjusts her rear brakes.

This can and will make the clicking, scuffing, dragging come back instantly!

So, either SET THE PARK BRAKE or don't touch it.

But it's the rust and grime that bind her . . .

... besides her springs, she has a few other moving parts in her suspension that will get noisy if they are not regularly lubricated, i.e. spring shackle bushings, stabilizer bar bushings, control arm bushings, etc. On a regular basis, you should let your Jeep on top and look at her from down-under. Take inventory of what you see. Everywhere you see a moving suspension part there is the potential for noise. You should lubricate these moving parts liberally at regular intervals. Doing this can virtually eliminate all of her excess suspension noises and extend the life expectancy of her "lifetime" parts. Not to mention, you and yours will enjoy a much longer, quieter, and happier life.

I use a combination of STP Silicone Spray Lubricant, WD-40 and Mobil 1 greases and oils to maintain her suspension, engine, transmission, rearend, bearings, etc.

I always ensure she's clean down under. If she's dirty, I wash her up. Lubrication does neither of us any good if she's dirty down there. As indicated previously you've got to keep her CLEAN.

Next, I use the STP silicone spray lubricant to lubricate all of her moving suspension parts (the ones without zert-fittings). This stuff sprays on as a clear liquid, and forms a clear jelly-like or semi-paste consistency. It is water resistant and continues to lubricate even after you've driven through rain, snow, etc. It sticks to any part you spray it on and it stays.

Once the silcone lubricant has dried, I use a liberal dose of WD-40 to re-lubricate the same parts. When I originally started this regimen, I only used the WD-40 which did't last. Then I tried only the silicon lubricant which cured most of the noise, but left a few squeeks. I've since discovered that following up with the WD-40 after the silicone lubricant, I'm nearly certain to eliminate all of the noises the first time around. The WD-40 immeadiately lubricates those areas the silicone lubricant did not. The WD-40 doesn't seem to negatively affect the lubrication capacity of silicone lubricant and actually seems to carry it to where it's needed. Noise free and happy...