2011 jeep grand cherokee air suspension problems

How well do you know your Cherokee? Do you know that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is manufactured to compete better against its larger competitors? This is why the brand made the vehicle the first Chrysler-badged Jeep product.

However, like every other SUV vehicle, the beautiful Jeep Grand Cherokee suffers suspension problems too.

Here are 10 main causes of suspension issues in Jeep Grand Cherokee.

1. Overloading the vehicle
2. Driving for long distances
3. Driving on bad roads
4. Poor maintenance
5. Driving aggressively
6. Mis-align shocks and struts
7. Weak front
8. Poor handling
9. Long-term internal wear
10. Age bushings

While you may not easily know when the suspension of your Jeep Grand Cherokee has gone bad, we provide 6 signs that will help.

• 6 Signs Your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Suspension Is Bad
  • 1. Clunking noise from front end
  • 2. Anti-roll bar subframe failure
  • 3. Clunking noise from rear end
  • 4. Front shock absorber failure
  • 5. Rear shock absorber failure
  • 6. Front, upper, and lower control arm failure
• Can You Drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee With a Bad Suspension?
• How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Jeep Grand Cherokee Suspension?
• Which Jeep Grand Cherokee Model Years Have the Highest Suspension Issues?
• Which Jeep Grand Cherokee Models Have the Least Suspension Issues?
• Does the Front or Rear Suspension of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Last Longer?
• Has Jeep Ever Recalled Any Grand Cherokee Model Years for Suspension Issues?
• How Long Does a Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Struts and Shocks Last Before Replacement?
• How Much Does It Cost To Replace Jeep Grand Cherokee Struts and Shocks?
• Is It Safe To Drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee with Leaky Struts?
• How Does a Bad Suspension Affect Steering and Handling?
• What Happens When a Jeep Grand Cherokee Axle Fails?
  • 1. Bumping noise
  • 2. Wheel wobbling and vibrations
  • 3. Brake pad misalignment
  • 4. Leaking
• Tips for Making Your Jeep Grand Cherokee Suspension Last Longer

6 Signs Your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Suspension Is Bad

Here are 6 signs that will notify you when the suspension of your Jeep Grand Cherokee is bad.

1. Clunking noise from front end

Clunking noise occurs when the vehicle’s anti-roll bar subframe mounting bush and the anti-roll bar end-link ball-joint failed. The noise increases when you drive on rough and bad roads.

2. Anti-roll bar subframe failure

Your Cherokee would also develop suspension failure because of aged, hardened, or simply worn out bushings.

When the bushings become loose, they cause noise, as they allow unnecessary movement of the anti-roll bar. This will happen when rubber boot that protects the end link ball-joints tears.

3. Clunking noise from rear end

Rear clunking noise while driving is also a sign of failing suspension. You’ll also experience same noise from failed ant-roll bars.

When you notice this, try upgrade your shocks.

4. Front shock absorber failure

When you notice rattling noise when going over any rough patches, or your front end bouncing than usual, it is because of a long drive, or failed oil seal. Do the bounce test to make sure your vehicle does not have front shocks absorber failure.

We advise you change your shocks if you have crossed 50,000 miles.

5. Rear shock absorber failure

Another sign of a failing suspension in your Cherokee is failure at the rear shock absorber. The Rear will start making knocking and popping noises when going over bump, while the vehicle bounces frequently.

The cause of rear shock absorber failure is leaking oil because of a failed oil-seal, and long distance driving. If you have repeated issue with your rear shock absorber, upgrade, or replace your rear shocks.

6. Front, upper, and lower control arm failure

When your suspension wears off, it will lead to weak handling of the steering. This, in turn, leads to vague steering and uneven tire wear.

Can You Drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee With a Bad Suspension?

Even if it is just a broken coil spring or shock absorber, you should not drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee car that has any element of bad suspension. This is because of the imminent danger attached to doing so.

To ensure your safety, fix the suspension of your Cherokee when it becomes bad. Taking it out in a bad state is not safe for you and the vehicle.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Jeep Grand Cherokee Suspension?

According to RepairPal, it will cost about $2,031 and $2,280 to change or replace the suspension of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee Model Years Have the Highest Suspension Issues?

According to CarComplain, the 2011 and 2014 model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has the most suspension problem. A major complaint received on these models is the axle failure.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee Models Have the Least Suspension Issues?

From reviews from car.com, the 2009 and 2010 Grand Cherokee have the minimum suspension problems, even though they are more than a decade old.

Does the Front or Rear Suspension of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Last Longer?

The front or rear suspension of the Jeep Grand Cherokee do last long. However, the rear suspension will last longer if used with good maintenance practices.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee suspension can last for 50,000 miles or more.

Has Jeep Ever Recalled Any Grand Cherokee Model Years for Suspension Issues?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 1993–2004 and 2014 model years has been recall. The recall was based on the rear collisions and the fuel tank (behind the rear axle) compromise which had resulted in fuel leakage and fire.

How Long Does a Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Struts and Shocks Last Before Replacement?

According to YourMechanic, your Jeep Grand Cherokee shocks and struts will last for about 50,000 miles or more, depending on the generation and model you drive, before wearing and tearing out.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Jeep Grand Cherokee Struts and Shocks?

According to RepairPal, these are the cost of replacing the Jeep Grand Cherokee shock and strut:

• The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee struts and shocks can last up to 166,933 miles, and will cost $478 – $584 to replace.
• The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee model struts and shocks can last up to 11,000 miles or more, and will cost about $232 – $284 to replace.
• For the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee struts and shocks, it can last 60,000 miles or more, and cost $569 – $695 to replace.
• The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee struts and shocks can last up to 54,000 miles or more, and will cost about $269 – $329 to replace.
• The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee struts and shocks can last 75,000 miles or more, and will cost about $2,319 – $2,835 to replace.
• Unlike the others, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee v8 struts and shocks can last up to 199,000 miles or more, and will cost about $239 – $293 to replace.
• The 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7l v8 Limited struts and shocks can last 134,000 miles or more, and will cost about $241 – $295 to replace.
• The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee struts and shocks can last 69,000 miles or more, and will cost about $410 – $501 to replace.

Is It Safe To Drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee with Leaky Struts?

It is not safe to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee with leaky struts. Even if your jeep isn’t bouncing up and down, a leaking strut will eventually empty and become less effective.

If you notice your trucks having leaky shocks replaced immediately.

How Does a Bad Suspension Affect Steering and Handling?

The wheel is assembled with its suspension arms. Therefore, a fault with the suspension would affect the wheel. The steering link will move upward and comes down during rebound.

A failing suspension will affect the steering and handling by:

1. Making the steering to pull or drift to one side after turning.
2. Causing the steering to slip while turning the wheel.
3. Leading to a loose or sloppy steering.
4. Resulting in excessive wandering from side to side.
5. Causing the steering wheel to vibrate.
6. Making the steering to veer to one side when driving over a bump.
7. Causing the steering wheel to bounce up and down at highway speeds.
8. Resulting in difficulty while turning the wheel.

Bad front struts can dangerously affect the steering and handling system, thereby increasing the chances of an accident.

What Happens When a Jeep Grand Cherokee Axle Fails?

When the axle of your Jeep Grand Cherokee fails, you will experience clicking or grinding noise when you turn. The front axle on a Cherokee delivers power to the front wheels from the transmission.

Here are 4 signs you’ll notice when the axle of your grand Cherokee fails.

1. Bumping noise

Apart from straining to move, the truck may also make sputtering, bumping, or clunking sounds. Because the axles cannot transfer adequate power to the wheels. Noise will become audible as the truck moves when steering the wheels.

2. Wheel wobbling and vibrations

Once you notice wobbling, it is because of a damaged axle or other suspension problems.

3. Brake pad misalignment

The car’s brake pads will shift and mis-align with the wheels and rotors. Once this happens, you will notice that your car will skid or slip to a stop. Over time, the brakes will cease to function.

4. Leaking

Your Dodge Ram 1500 will leak small amounts of oil.

Tips for Making Your Jeep Grand Cherokee Suspension Last Longer

If you really want to make your suspension to last longer, here are tips you should consider:

1. Control spring and suspension movement.
2. Provide consistent handling and braking.
3. Prevent premature tire wear.
4. Help keep the tires in contact with the road.
5. Maintain dynamic wheel alignment.
6. Control vehicle bounce, roll, sway, drive, and acceleration squat.
7. Reduce wear on other vehicle systems.
8. Promote even and balanced tire and brake wear.
9. Examine the shock absorbers of your car.
10. Examine the car’s steering system.
11. Inspect the power steering fluid and belt of the Cherokee.
12. Examine the tread on the car tires.
13. Examine the air pressure in the tires of the car.
14. Install high-performance tires and wheels.
15. Drive on good roads.
16. Drive less aggressively.
17. Avoid overweighting your Cherokee.

Having a good maintenance culture on your Jeep Grand Cherokee helps prevent suspension problems. For best practise, have your truck suspension examined every 50,000 miles.

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