Jeep Performance Improvement Ideas
How to change the transmission fluid and filter in a Jeep Cherokee automatic AW4
The Jeep service manual recommends changing the fluid every 25,000 miles. I rarely see XJs get serviced that often.
Changing the fluid and filter requires removing the transmission pan. A handy drain plug on the AW4 allows for fluid draining. Odly for the XJ, it uses a 14 mm wrench to remove it. But, I recommend changing the filter as well.
My 1999 Rock Crawler XJ has been retrofitted with disk brakes. I think they are from a ZJ. However, whoever made the swap did not replace the wheel studs. The studs intended for drum brakes are way too short when used with disk brake rotors.
Continue reading “XJ Rear wheel stud replacement”After a recent tire rotation, I noticed that the steering had a small shake. Over time that shake got worse and worse. Then one day, I hit a bump, and there it was full-on Death Wobble.
I immediately ordered a track bar. https://amzn.to/2YTnvPT Because almost every Jeep that has come through my shop with death wobble, the problem was the track bar.
Troubleshooting a slow start on my Renix stroker.
I have been experiencing some odd behavior when starting my Renix Cherokee lately. While the starter sounded like it was spinning fine, the engine would not fire up. Often it would fire just as I let go of the key.
I have been running an old Optima battery that I got back when ChumpCar was giving them away as part of their sponsorship, The battery read over twelve volts and the starter sounded fine. However, I noticed that the REM was shutting off and the voltage was dropping while trying to start.
Continue reading “New battery for my XJ”I was noticing some noise in the front of my Jeep Cherokee when I was braking and turning at the same time. While I had the wheels off for a tire rotation, I noticed that the bump stops were worn.
So I ordered these:
