How to Remove a Radiator from a Jeep Cherokee

Applies to: JEEP CHEROKEE (1984-2001)

 

Jeep Cherokee (1984-2001)

Pull Tip: Removing the radiator for an automatic or manual clutch is the same process.

Estimated Pull Time: 15 minutes

Recommended Tools

  • 8mm Socket
  • 10mm Socket
  • Pliers
  • Flathead Screwdriver
  • Phillips Head Screwdriver
  • Quick Disconnect Line Tool
  • Utility Knife
  • Wire Cutters

Instructions

  • 1

    Remove the Electric fan and the Mechanical Fan shroud, in this case they are held on with 8mm bolts.

  • 2

    Remove the wiring harness on the electrical fan by pushing the red safety clip over and then pressing in on the black plastic clip while pulling to release.

  • 3

    Remove the Reservoir line and set aside.` Pull the radiator support (the metal bracket on top of the radiator) with a socket wrench, in this case it is 10mm nuts and bolts on all sides of the support.

  • 4

    If you don’t need the A/C condenser, go ahead and unbolt it from the radiator now. The A/C condenser is the small radiator looking like thing in front of the radiator.

  • 5

    Use pliers or a screwdriver to remove the large radiator hoses from either side of the radiator at the top and the bottom.

  • 6

    If you have an automatic transmission, there will be 2 transmission lines coming into the radiator, which need to be removed from the driver side of the radiator.

  • 7

    Remove the clip on the bottom of the radiator that is holding the transmission line with an 8mm socket.

  • 8

    Pull the radiator up and out.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Hey guys, this is Matt with BleepinJeep, and today we're doing a DIY and Drive video tutorial here at Pull-A-Part Used Auto Parts. Let's get started. OK, so this Cherokee has a little bit of front end damage, but the radiator is still good. Right there is the AC condenser. The radiator is behind that. So let's go ahead and start pulling this thing out. So I want to start by removing the fans or the fan shroud. This particular vehicle has got an electric fan here, and then mechanical fan over here with the fan shroud. Part of it is missing, but the bottom half is still there.

So eight-millimeter we're going to start removing this stuff. Now pull the reservoir line out of the way, set it aside. And the electric fan has this clip, so we need to disconnect that. When you have one of these little red tabs, the red tab goes over. Then, you should be able to press here and pull that apart and go ahead and take your fan out. Now, let's pull the radiator support, that's this metal piece that's over the top of the radiator. There's just a bunch of yeah, 10 millimeter nuts and bolts on top of this thing. Make sure you set these bolts and nuts aside, because you might need those when you reinstall this.

So there's a couple of nuts and bolts on the backside too, of this support, so we're going to remove those. And then, we're also going to remove some nuts that are holding the front piece on. So we're going to remove those from back here, along the edge. Now, if we got them all, this support should just pull back and up. Let's see. There it is. So the AC condenser is attached to the radiator. If you want the AC condenser, then go ahead and break it loose on the lines on the opposite side. If not, go ahead and unbolt it right here.

Now, on either side of the radiator, you're going to have a radiator hose, the top one and the bottom one. So go ahead and pull those off. You just pinch this little clip, pull it back, then you can go ahead and pull the hose off. You're going to do the same thing on the bottom, on the opposite side. Now, when you're doing this, keep in mind you might want to take these hoses with you. You might need it, or you might just need a spare. OK, we're almost there, but if you have an automatic transmission, there's going to be two transmission lines on the driver's side over here. So just take your crescent wrench, break this top one free.

OK, now the bottom transmission line is a little more tricky. You'll either need to have the specialty tool to unlock that quick connector, or you can just cut the line. At this point, there's only one thing left holding it on there. You can barely see it, but it's right down here. There's this little clip for the transmission line. It's got an eight-millimeter, little bolt on there. So let's grab that from underneath. Now, if we did everything right, it should be free to come on out. Let's check. There it is-- radiator.

OK, well, thanks for watching, guys. Again, this is Matt with the YouTube channel BleepinJeep. I appreciate it. We'll see you next time.

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