Four problems related to front suspension wheel bearing have been reported for the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
[1] at 128,000 plus miles I heard a grinding sound coming from under the car [2] the mechanic who worked on the vehicle found that all the bearings both front and rear were worn or corroded along with spacing rings on the rear axel. He indicated that they were defective original equipment, that bearings do not corrode or wear out with the mileage that the car had been driven. [3] all the bearings and spacers required replacing.
1997 Chrysler Grand Cherokee rear of vehicle caught on fire. The fire department concluded, the fire was started by an overheated wheel bearing.
Noise in the front end due to bearing failure.
While driving down a steep hill, vehicle began to shimmy, brakes locked, and consumer had no control of vehicle, it was determined by a mechanic that vehicle contained two cracked axles on the front end, trac bar was replaced, as well as wheel bearings.