Jeep Cherokee: Front Brakes - Model Year Compatibility & Interchanges ['84-'01 XJ] 1999

1984 - 1989: Separated Knuckle
1990 - 1999: Uniform Knuckle, Composite Rotor - 57mm
1999 - 2001: Cast Rotor - 53mm
1985 - 1992 2wd: Trailer Bearings
1993 - 2001 2wd: Same as 4wd
The front brakes changed a few times during the Cherokee XJ's run. I've pinned a comment with my updated now-correct information
Bunny: • 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ ...
ChrisFix Front Brakes: • How to Replace Brake P...
The Front Caliper situation: • The Florida Man Brake ...
Next up: Glove box light

[@johnmeeson822]

Great vid, one correction, the 90 thru 99.5 rotor is the composite rotor. The center hat is stamped sheet, thinner with rounded corners. The all cast rotor is 99.5 to 01. It has a thicker section at the studs and squarer corner at the stud face to OD of the center hat. Your dims and how to tell apart are correct, just calling the wrong one composite. Glad the hurricane did not cause you issues.

[@WAEMIDIV]

alright. I launched a full scale investigation into the brake rotors and found a ton of conflicting & confusing information. Rockauto lists composite rotors for 99+, but everyone in the forums says the composite rotors are for 99-. I searched through as many forum pages as I could find and most everyone agreed the cast rotors were introduced in 99, not discontinued, but also offered no evidence or sources backing this up. I found that composite rotors are lighter than full cast, so they're better for fuel economy. They were invented and first used in the early 1980s, so it's quite possible they could have been used first, but to me, it doesn't make sense that during 1999 when federal emissions standards were more strict than they ever had been, they'd switch to a heavier full cast rotor. But I dug through the scrap rotor bin and found my rotors. weighing them side by side, the 99+ is definitely heavier, so that doesn't make sense for fuel economy, but it does make sense for Chrysler being cheap asses, and penny pinching by cutting every possible corner (cast rotors are cheaper to make). We also tested each one with a magnet, because full cast iron will be much more magnetic than an alloy, and sure enough, the 99+ rotor held the magnet much better than the 99-, further evidence you're correct and I got them backwards. So I made a fool of myself, but thankfully, the information in this video still applies regardless of the material the rotors are made from. 99- will not fit on 99+, so sticking with your correct year and rotor type (based on measurements) should still do the trick.

[@johnmeeson822]

Good research. Yeah it is confusing. I see what you mean on RockAuto. Plus they make fully cast replacements for the composites as well, just to muddy the water more. Thanks for the great content.

[@Eri-Lan]

Truly a iconic 1999 jeep XJ

[@MajorWeakness]

Ive seen XJ brake slides 1/4" wore down. I have success Welding up.amd grinding back smooth. Great video

[@titiem01]

While gravity bleeding is easy, I've found an even easier way is to stick a piece of soft tubing that fits over the bleeder screw and run it into a small bottle you can sit on the ground. Fill the bottom of the bottle up with brake fluid enough to submerge the bottom of the hose and then you can bleed the brakes by just pumping the pedal with the bleeder open and refilling the reservoir periodically. The air will be forced down the line into the bottle, where it will rise through the fluid naturally, but the hose will only be able to suck fluid back in so you end up with very little if any air in the system at the end. Tried it once and it rivaled the best 2-person bleeding I'd ever done so that's my go-to now. Edit: after looking, that's basically the same way that ChrisFix does his, however you don't NEED to have a helper to open/close the bleeders in between as the master will just suck in new fluid as you pump the pedal. Just make absolutely sure you don't run the master dry as then you're in for a long afternoon!

[@WAEMIDIV]

I'll try this next time. I have seen it before, but never in action

[@seanstackz3683]

Awesome video, probably my 10th time watching it 👍

[@alfonsojon1997]

Fantastic - my XJ literally is on jackstands because of a failed brake hose like you mentionrd at 11:00. I appreciate the advice to grind down the slide rails, mine definitely needs it and I wasn't sure if I should do that.

[@KyleSVT]

Custom work on those knuckles. Nice work Mr. Waemid

[@andriklimon4790]

Do a Harbor breeze notus brushed nickel ceiling fan installation video please

[@joshualavigne4359]

Great video. I’m watching your video all the time.

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Waemid.I hope the hurricane didn't do any damage to your property.

[@seanstackz3683]

Another great video 💪

[@epik_robie1709]

Unrelated, but looking at the engine bay in your 99 white Cherokee the AC system looks flawless. Is that system unique to the refresh models or did you swap that in? Need to overhaul my 88's AC and am trying to see what my options are as the lines are in really bad shape.

[@WAEMIDIV]

The white Jeep in this video is a 2001, yes the system changed in 96, after changing again in 93. A 1988 will require a conversion to R134a to fix, nobody sells R12 anymore

[@epik_robie1709]

I was planning to convert to 134 but is it possible to swap out the new AC system into an 88 jeep?@@WAEMIDIV

[@SuperBobby1974]

Great video! Good subject. Maybe put a little bit of grease on all the slides?

[@WAEMIDIV]

Yes, these particular Calipers came with pre-greased slides (if we're talking about the metal pins inside the dust covers) as for greasing the metal on the knuckle, it actually ends up working against you in the long run, as dirt will collect on this grease and end up making it do exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to

[@LinusScrubTips]

I have a Dana 30 I’m building, don’t know the year can’t find any markings. I was wondering if I can put any year parts on it as long as bearing, caliper, etc are all the same year? 87 Comanche 2wd I’m converting.

[@WAEMIDIV]

Yes indeed

[@LinusScrubTips]

@@WAEMIDIVthanks! You really the bomb man!

[@clevelandcarpenter8535]

Great video! Did you get any flooding from the hurricane?

[@WAEMIDIV]

Nope, all clear by me

[@rheidtech]

Yeahhhh!!! Im a schtaaahhh🌟. Lol. Stay safe man. Great vid. 👍

[@Knighteagle]

dose yer jeep have a glove box light?

[@WAEMIDIV]

that is an excellent point -> I think I absolutely need one

[@bunnybono1256]

Way to do me like that 😂😵

[@Brolop19]

rear discs are THEE SHIT, ask me how i kno

[@rheidtech]

😂😂😂Knuckledragger😂😂😂

[@JBenedict02]

Second

[@Deadbuck73]

First. 😑

[@WAEMIDIV]

Congratulations sir, your Krabby Patty Pizza is here!

[@Deadbuck73]

@@WAEMIDIV that’s better than I expected! 😂 thanks 🙏