Yes, what
@80mirada said.
A few notes that need to be made:
The Grand Cherokee and Liberty both use solid brake rotors. For what I hear the Grand Cherokee version are not as trouble free (warp more often) as the Liberty system uses. Also, the Liberty rotor appears to be on store shelves more than the Grand Cherokee is (just relaying what I’ve heard – no firsthand experience with either).
Grand Cherokee (rear)
Liberty (rear)
They both look similar, but will not interchange.
The '94-98 Grand Cherokee bracket has a smaller center hub (and a smaller wheel bearing) and the center hub needs to be ground out a bit so it will fit. The bolt holes will keep it lined up – so no worry if you egg-shape the hole when grinding.
The '02-07 Liberty system is almost plug and play system and appear to be the preferred changeover system of the two. Not all '02-07 Liberty’s have rear disk brakes. The 8¼” differential and wheel bearing setup changed in '08 (and newer). I think 8 out of every 10 '02-07 Liberty’s have rear disk brakes. The Setup is the same for '03-07 Jeep Wranglers - but those will be harder to find.
The main part, the disk bracket (inner and outer view). This is the Liberty and the Grand Cherokee is similar.
Both the Grand Cherokee and Liberty uses 4-studs/nuts to attach to differential where as most (but not all) FMJ 7¼” and 8¼” differentials use 5-studs/nuts. I have seen a few FMJ’s made with 4 but most have 5 (I think early Monday (hungover) or late Friday (eager to get off and get drunk) – might be the reason).
Sense most FMJ’s have 5-holes, you most likely will need to drill a new hole for bottom most stud. If you drill a size bigger than other ones, then you won’t have to worry about getting it in exact position.
Example of 5-hole pattern.
Example of 4-hole pattern. This is actually a Liberty 10" drum brake backing plate. The top 4 holes line up exactly.
The axle shafts will have to be removed to install the plates and axles re-installed after plates are attached. The method to remove/install axle shafts are different between early 7¼” and late 7¼”/8¼” differentials.
For the late 7¼”/8¼”, you need to remove the inspection cover, remove the pin bolt, slide pin put. Push both axle shafts inwards enough to allow C-clip to come out and pull axles out. Reinstall in the same fashion.
Note: Inspect axle shafts for bearing damage on each axle shaft. If there is any discoloration of shaft or you can catch a fingernail on surface where bearing rides at, you will need to the replace wheel bearings. They now make offset wheel bearings (axle savers) which will allow you to reuse existing axle. Also plan on changing the axle seals when axles are out!
Now the early 7¼” differentials are different from late ones as well as the method to remove the axle shafts. The early means those made from ’76 to mid-year ’80 and have a 2½” diameter axle tube. The mid-year ’80 to 89 7¼” have a 3” tapered tube – which looks like this:
The ’76 to mid-year ’80 7¼” (with the 2½” differential tubes), the axle is removed much like the older 8¾” axles are, via unbolting the axle bearing retainer flange (at the brake backing plate).
This retainer plate will cause the disk brake plate to extend outwards more than usual that could cause abnormal brake pad wear. This problem is the same exact problem that older 8¾” differentials have. The fix for them is to machine the plate down the thickness of the plate (just a smidge more than 0.1” (one tenth of an inch), on both plates. A possible fix would be to make and install a spacer (of 0.1”) and place between the axle flanges and brake rotors. If you do make a spacer, make sure it not just washers but a shim the size of the axle flange. Washers only will contribute to brake rotor warpage.
Example of a shim/spacer.
Another problem with using an older 8¾” or early FMJ 7¼” differential is the wheel bearing will need removed (replaced), have bracket installed, and wheel bearing (new) installed which will sandwich the plate between the axle flange and wheel bearing retainer.
This does not affect the 8¼” differential at all, nor the mid-year 1980-89 7¼” differentials.
One other thing to keep in mind is the parking brake cable attachment is different
!
BudW