Briman2021
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Minnesota
I apologize in advance for the rookie question, and I promise I searched, but I really don't know what to search for, but I have an issue that I would like some advice on tracking down.
I have a 97 Cherokee, 4.0, auto, 8.25 rear end, all stock suspension, and when I go over bumps/potholes, the whole chassis feels "loose" Part of my problem is that I can't do a great job of describing this feeling, it kind of clunks over bumps more than I think it should, and definitely more than my other cars, and just general doesn't feel as solid as I think it should, and as a previous Cherokee did.
Also, when I shut it off, there is kind of a clunk that comes from the rear of the vehicle, similar to a clunk I hear when I hit potholes. I drove around without anything in the back, and it didn't change anything.
One other thing that I haven't been able to replicate again is a clunk from the front end when I locked up the front wheels during a snow storm. I was in 4hi coming up to a stop sign, and as soon as the wheels locked up, the front end clunked pretty good, and I got it to do it several more times each time when I locked up the wheels. Now, on dry pavement, it doesn't make the clunk, even under heavy braking, but I don't want to go locking up my brakes trying to find this noise again.
I know this is all kind of vague, and I know that makes it harder to help with, but I was wondering if there were any common spots to check (mounts, bushings that typically go bad) before I dig deeper than I need to. Also, this truck has 300k on it, so part of me is just wondering if this is something I am stuck dealing with, but I am thinking that I should be able to make it feel more solid than it is, even though I'm sure it won't be as good as the day it rolled off the assembly line, but I can accept that.
Thanks!
I have a 97 Cherokee, 4.0, auto, 8.25 rear end, all stock suspension, and when I go over bumps/potholes, the whole chassis feels "loose" Part of my problem is that I can't do a great job of describing this feeling, it kind of clunks over bumps more than I think it should, and definitely more than my other cars, and just general doesn't feel as solid as I think it should, and as a previous Cherokee did.
Also, when I shut it off, there is kind of a clunk that comes from the rear of the vehicle, similar to a clunk I hear when I hit potholes. I drove around without anything in the back, and it didn't change anything.
One other thing that I haven't been able to replicate again is a clunk from the front end when I locked up the front wheels during a snow storm. I was in 4hi coming up to a stop sign, and as soon as the wheels locked up, the front end clunked pretty good, and I got it to do it several more times each time when I locked up the wheels. Now, on dry pavement, it doesn't make the clunk, even under heavy braking, but I don't want to go locking up my brakes trying to find this noise again.
I know this is all kind of vague, and I know that makes it harder to help with, but I was wondering if there were any common spots to check (mounts, bushings that typically go bad) before I dig deeper than I need to. Also, this truck has 300k on it, so part of me is just wondering if this is something I am stuck dealing with, but I am thinking that I should be able to make it feel more solid than it is, even though I'm sure it won't be as good as the day it rolled off the assembly line, but I can accept that.
Thanks!
Last edited: