Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: newfie glass on November 02, 2011, 06:18:44 PM

Title: Rear end woes
Post by: newfie glass on November 02, 2011, 06:18:44 PM
Believe it or not, my wife prefers to drive our lifted zj and so I didnt notice the howl from the rear end. After driving it this weekend it certainly noticeable to me. It's a Dana 35 and I guess my question is what should I do,  Rebuild or replace? Im a little intimidated by doing either choice myself and can't afford to have a shop do it. Is there anyone that could lend a hand? I want to do it sooner then later to prevent damage. If a rebuild is the right choice, what kind of bearings are the best choice? Thanks in advance guys.
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: Rubi03 jef on November 02, 2011, 07:10:50 PM
well best thing for you is . 

go source out the parts you need .. and since you dont know what parts you need then its time to jack up the truck drain the rear diff and pull the cover off and see whats loose or wearing out .. good chances its a axle shaft bearing and there like 18 dollars and are easy to change out .

but if its a bearing on your carrier or even the pinion bearing then that will be more work and more time but you wont nkow until you open the rear end up and check .

thats my addvise and only after knowing that the problem is do you choose to rebuild of swap ..


thats where i would start


Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: Pookapotamus on November 02, 2011, 07:48:27 PM
or just buy my thirty five for $50 and toss it in!  :P
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: newfie glass on November 02, 2011, 08:15:20 PM
Sounds like a deal. Any chance you could help me install it. I can do a better deal for your projects.
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: newfie glass on November 02, 2011, 09:04:01 PM
false alarm. we realized his xj diff was not an easy swap into my zj.  :o
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: tubby on November 02, 2011, 11:10:29 PM

Jay at Chanda just pulled his Dana 35( I believe they are 3.73 gears) out of his ZJ for his 8.8 swap. Couldn't hurt to call the shop and inquire about it?
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: WhiteOut on November 02, 2011, 11:14:56 PM
Johnny has the 44a pulled from the one we stripped. Bolts right in.
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: jkrubi on November 03, 2011, 06:07:10 AM
If you want a quick way of telling if it's a wheel bearing ( front or rear) drive it, and make turn left and right. ( get some body roll and weight transfer) When it get louder that is the bearing that is going bad. I've never found a good way to tell if it's a pinion brg yet.
If it's an axle brg it's easy to change if it's an pinion it's a pain. If it just the gears well your choice drive it or live with it. Have you tried rotating the wheels? Some times a tire can make the noise that you might mistake for brgs.
Hope it helps
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: BlackYJ on November 03, 2011, 07:29:44 AM
Dumb question but did you check to make sure there is enough fluid in the diff?  I was starting to get some noise in mine and it was down a fair bit.  Added some fluid and all better
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: Bnine on November 03, 2011, 08:10:34 AM
Telltale signs for pinion bearings are;

Leaking pinion seal

Movement of the pinion by hand

Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: FirstTimer on November 03, 2011, 11:10:52 AM
Check out this thread, great info
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/howling-whirring-noise-deceleration-45-60-mph-328055/
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: newfie glass on November 03, 2011, 02:19:44 PM
i dont see any leaks from the pinion seal and it seems to get louder when im at 80+ and let off the throttle. im hoping its just axel bearings. thanks for the great info guys, keep it comin
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: cLAY on November 03, 2011, 03:38:38 PM
ZJs are notorious for loud rear ends due to bad pattern setup from the factory.
 
Unless the noise is something new or growing louder I wouldn't worry about it.

It would be wise to check the fluids and axle bearings. Easy to do and rule out.
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: FirstTimer on November 03, 2011, 07:42:44 PM
Also check the axle seals if the diff fluid is low. Happened to my old zj. Most of the fluid leaked out from there.
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: Rubi03 jef on November 03, 2011, 08:11:41 PM
who are we all kiding   its a ZJ   you should just burn it to the ground and by a real jeep                               WRANGLER
Title: Re: Rear end woes
Post by: newfie glass on November 03, 2011, 08:31:15 PM
ha ha ha heard that one many times before. if it was an xj i would probably have a new diff installed already. im gonna try to find time this weekend and pull the diff cover to inspect everything.