1998 Jeep Cherokee front drivers side axle

CAJUNLAND504

MEMBER
1998 JEEP CHEROKEE
V8
AWD
AUTOMATIC
112,000 MILES

I have a 1998 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L auto.
I went to my mechanic because whenever I turned at slow speeds, like to a parking lot, my front end would shake really bad, and it sounded like something was grinding. Their was never a clicking sound at all, just shaking and grinding. The mechanic looked at it and said it is the drivers side axle. Someone else is saying its the CV joint. I don't wanna pay 230$ for the axle if that's not it. Can someone tell me what they think. I rather have more than one mechanic tell me. Thanks.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

I can tell you this. THe axle itself isn't the problem. Axles really don't go bad but rather the CV joints at both ends can go bad.

Now here is the kicker. Most mechanics don't only replace the CV joints anymore because it is actually around the same price to replace a "Half Shaft" which is a new axle with both new CV joints. By they time you add the additional labor to remove and replace the bad CV joint, the cost evens out to the cost ot the new axle.

So in reality, both people are correct. I too would recommend replacing the half shaft because that way you get two new CV joints for around the same price.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Joe