Hey!

[Virtualandi]

Well, I went and did it! Bagged a 2003 Cherokee (Roxy!) 3.7 V6. It was cheap...
Drove back from London, 186 miles with very few issues (apart from me never having driven one of these things!) However, there's a strange clunky from the rear at low/parking speed, the drivers seat recline lever is missing & there's a bunch of dash bulbs out. There will obviously be more 'anomalies' but right now, I'm lovin' it!

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the forum. How many Km on the 03 Jeep now?
Rear clunk, probably best to inspect the tri-link (upper boomerang) for any play.
What color is your Jeep? Any major rust issues?

 

[Virtualandi]

Hi there, thanks much for the welcome! She's just coming up to 114000 miles. She's booked in for a service on Monday...did it again today, almost sounds like driveshaft hitting the exhaust, you can actually feel it in the car, but only ever while pulling away or very slow, parking etc...beres some pics...so far no rust signs at all up top... And of course, the drivers seat recline level was snapped off, and the seat just ain't quite right!

 

[LibertyTC]

Let the shop do an inspection for drive line & the tri-link or upper triangular boomerang for play in the rear diff.

 

[KJowner]

As above, sounds like the upper mount for the rear axle, it lets the axle rotate as power comes on and off, feels like a heavy thump.

Looks nice and solid around the sills, that's always good, both of mine have had extensive welding. If it ever stops raining have a good poke round the inners and outers, if it's all solid soak it with wax oil, pop the inside plastic sill trim off and spray it in there as well. (Don't do this if it's rusty, whoever welds it up won't thank you...)
Welcome to the world of Jeeps, much better than Land Rovers! Your a brave man running a V6 with our petrol prices! My old CRD manages around 30 UK mpg.

 

[Virtualandi]

Well it was a case of what was available when I needed it...but to be honest, the trip back from London avg.29.2 & it's dropped to 22.3 on a home bargains trip! From what I can see, there's some oil/juice around the rear dif area...I'll get under & take some pics. I'm looking forward but nervous to the shop visit tomorrow...we shall see! The most aggravating thing is the drivers seat that won't recline...it's just too upright. I'm wondering if there's a heath-robinson/hack/go round that can be achieved...

 

[Virtualandi]

...by the way, on today's pottering about...no banging at all! Airbag light sometimes stays on, sometimes cured by turning the car off & back on again...just wondering...is there anyone on here near(ish) to me here in Doncaster? I'd love someone to have a look at her that actually knows what they're looking at!

 

[Virtualandi]

Well, she went for a service & the lads were quite impressed... however.
Front & rear diffs 'appear' to need the seals dealing with. They popped the cap off the rear one & the oil is in bad shape...they say like it's never been changed. They showed me the pumpkin with the cap off & topped it up, it leaked out and yes, the oil looks not good. The steering makes a noise turning to the left, they say it's the pump... possibly! They've said they'd fit new seals, flush & refill both diffs. But first they want to look & see if the bearings/gears are ok...
Overall they were quite impressed, and also said they doubt if it's even see a grass verge let alone a field, it's its life! See pics...oh yeah, the exhaust has had a crappy fix that's blowing again...

 

[Idaho Tracy]

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking KJ. May take awhile to get all the kinks worked out but should serve you well.

 

[Virtualandi]

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking KJ. May take awhile to get all the kinks worked out but should serve you well.

Hi, thanks! Boy does 'Roxy' have some kinks! Hopefully I can get someone who knows what there doing to sort her out...watch this space...

 

[KJowner]

Get the diff oil changed sharpish or your going to need new bearings...
The rear diff pinion seal has failed, that's where all the oil is coming from.
The seat may have been welded, thay crack near the hinge sometimes, you may be lucky and find the mechanism has just stuck, if you put your head in the rear footwell you will soon see what's going on.
Nice and solid underneath, I'd get it wax injected to keep it that way! Looks like a nice Jeep.

 

[Virtualandi]

Hey, thanks for your help...is it this one?

 

[KJowner]

Yes, thats the one. The nut that holds the drive flange on is setting the preload on the pinon bearings, there are some good YouTube videos on doing the seal and replacing the nut without having to replace the crush tube and reset the preload, much easier to watch than explain here!

 

[Virtualandi]

You're a star, thank you!

 

[KJowner]

No problem

 

[Virtualandi]

Ordered diff service kit front & rear including seals, and a tri-link with bushes...it's possible the sound & feeling (clunky popping with sometimes a wiggle) I'm getting could be that going out...

 

[KJowner]

Ordered diff service kit front & rear including seals, and a tri-link with bushes...it's possible the sound & feeling (clunky popping with sometimes a wiggle) I'm getting could be that going out...

It usually is, the upper mount is a known weak point in the design. if you are in Europe then Autodoc is a good website for parts, I've used them a few times.

 

[Virtualandi]

Yeah I'm in Doncaster UK, Ive got everything from JeepChrysler in Brackley, don't think it's a bona dealer type thing, but they were helpful, seemed to know what's what & had everything in stock for shipping.