Jeep Grand Cherokee Suspension, Brakes and 4WD Care

Some Grand Cherokee trims use an adjustable air suspension that raises the SUV for off-road use and lowers it for highway driving and entry. Like any air system, it can develop leaks and wear over time.

Warning signs:

• One corner sits low after the SUV is parked
• The compressor runs longer or more often than it used to
• Ride height messages on the dash
• A harsh or uneven ride

Before lifting or aligning, the system must be set to the proper service mode shown in the owner's manual. We follow that step every time. Our suspension, shocks and struts page covers diagnosis.

Depending on the system, a 4WD Grand Cherokee has a transfer case, front differential and rear differential, each with its own fluid. Towing and off-road trips count as severe service.

We check for leaks at seals, inspect fluid condition when the schedule calls for it, and confirm 4WD modes engage. A whine that grows with speed or a clunk when shifting modes is worth a look. See differential, drivetrain and 4WD.

The Grand Cherokee is heavy, especially with a V8 or the 4xe battery. Front pads wear first, and rotors can develop surface problems after hot descents. We measure and photograph before quoting.

Wheel sizes range from about 18 to 21 inches depending on trim and year. Match the load and speed rating on the placard. Keep all four tires matched and close in tread depth on 4WD models.

See brake service.

Engines include a V6, V8s and a turbocharged four-cylinder in the 4xe plug-in hybrid, depending on year. Each has its own oil specification. The cooling system works hard in summer heat, especially when towing.

On 4xe models, we handle oil, tires, brakes, suspension, filters and the 12-volt battery. High-voltage battery and orange-cable repairs go to a specialist. See plug-in hybrid.

Yes. With air suspension, 4WD hardware and many electronics, condition varies a lot between examples. A pre-purchase inspection covers leaks, codes, suspension, brakes, tires and a test drive with photos. It is not a warranty and cannot promise nothing will fail later, but it shows what is visible today.

On a used Grand Cherokee, we pay extra attention to:

• Ride height at each corner after the SUV has been parked a while
• Seepage at the transfer case, differentials and oil cooler lines
• Whether all four tires match, since mismatched tires are hard on 4WD systems
• Brake rotor condition, which hints at how the SUV was driven or towed with
• Stored codes, even when no warning light is on
• How smoothly it shifts and whether 4WD modes change without clunks

Bring any service records you have. Records showing fluid changes and suspension work tell you more than the odometer does. See our pre-purchase inspection page for the full checklist.

A Grand Cherokee that tows a small trailer, climbs mountain grades or runs dirt roads needs closer attention than one that only commutes. Those uses count as severe service in most schedules. Check fluids sooner, inspect brakes each season, and look over the suspension after rough trips.

Before any trip with long downhill grades, have the front pads measured. A heavy SUV coming down a mountain puts a lot of heat into the brakes, and thin pads fade sooner. Old brake fluid absorbs moisture and boils at a lower temperature, which is why we check it too. See brake fluid service.

The Grand Cherokee is a heavy SUV, and V8 and 4xe versions weigh even more. Tires need a load index at or above the placard figure and a speed rating that suits the trim. Choose the tread type by where you really drive, then keep all four matched.

A buying checklist:

• Load index: equal to or higher than the placard. Roof loads and trailers make this more important.
• Speed rating: high-output trims may call for a higher rating than base models.
• Size: confirmed from both the placard and the current sidewall, since wheel sizes vary by trim.
• Tread type: highway all-season for pavement, all-terrain for regular dirt, performance for high-output trims that stay on the road.
• Matching: same size and model on all four to protect the 4WD system.
• Rolling resistance: on the 4xe, an efficient tire helps electric range.

Air suspension trims change ride height, and an alignment set at the wrong height wears tires unevenly. We align with the suspension in the correct mode at normal height, then rotate on schedule so front and rear tires wear together.