Dana 35 - -Cryco or Dana Spicer?

[Akula69]

I have read all the dire warnings about using dana 35 axles, but cannot afford to buy a 44 right now, so I have to stick with what I have. It currently needs a RH axle shaft, but there are two different types depending on who made it.

 

I have to be able to identify the particular dana 35 that is installed in the 94 XJ as either a Chrysler Co. or an origional Dana-Spicer model, and the daymn tag is missing from the body of the axle. Can anyone tell me another way to ID this POS?

 

Thanks

 

Jake

[jpdocdave]

http://www.nolimit4wd.net/forum/showthr ... #post46543

 

if you have the chrysler axle its not a terrible axle.

[Eagle]

I have to be able to identify the particular dana 35 that is installed in the 94 XJ as either a Chrysler Co. or an origional Dana-Spicer model, and the daymn tag is missing from the body of the axle. Can anyone tell me another way to ID this POS?

You seem to be under some confusion. For a 1994 XJ, the rear axle may not be a Dana-Spicer. IF[/i] it is a Dana 35, it is a Dana-Spicer. Chrysler never manufactured any Dana axles. However, by 1994 Chrysler was also using their own 8-1/4" axle in the rear of many XJs. Both are C-clip axles, both are 27-spline and have similar shaft diameters. However, the Chrysler axle has larger tubes and a stiffer housing, making it overall a somewhat stronger axle than the Dana 35.

[mvusse]

Post a picture of the pumpkin and we can tell you what you have.

[Akula69]

As requested - pictures of Ralph's rear end:

 

 

 

And, one of Ralph (in the flesh):

 

 

Just for grins and giggles, the MJ (in process for paint):

 

[Geonovast]

Ralph has a Chryco 8.25

 

Congratulations.

[mvusse]

[Akula69]

Thanks guys :cheers:

[Akula69]

Now - the $100 question:

 

When underway, a distinct "crunching" sound is heard from the rear. It can be heard from either side of the rear wheels. I believed it was the axle shaft, but now am not completely sure. The only other item I can add about this diff is that it is a positrac, and I changed the oil in it last August (w/o finding any metal in the old oil). I added the positrac additive as well.

 

Draining it now I still do not find any metal in the opil, and the teeth do not look like they have been "chewing" each other. When up on the stands I do not get the noise.

 

Any idea what it could be? Thanks

[LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW]

The Chrysler 8.25" is what I would consider to be a "noisy" axle. I don't think I've ever heard one not make noise (howl) while driving down the road.

 

With that being said, I have seen (and have had personal experience) with carrier bearing failures on this axle on more than 1 occasion. We however are running larger tires (33" and 35") on them and do wheel on a regular basis; so that may be some of our issues. I'm not saying that this is the issue with your axle, but if you think it sound louder than normal it could potentially be the problem.

[Eagle]

When underway, a distinct "crunching" sound is heard from the rear. It can be heard from either side of the rear wheels. ...

 

Draining it now I still do not find any metal in the opil, and the teeth do not look like they have been "chewing" each other. When up on the stands I do not get the noise.

 

Any idea what it could be? Thanks

Each side has a bearing at the outer end of the shaft. If the noise isn't coming from the center section, and you don't get it when jacked up, my guess is a bad outer bearing that isn't happy when it's carrying load.

[whowey]

I had an axle making a crunching noise at the outside... turned out it was pieces of brake hardware flopping around in the drum.

[Geonovast]

I had an axle making a crunching noise at the outside... turned out it was pieces of brake hardware flopping around in the drum.

 

Me too.

 

[mvusse]

I got rid of the drum brakes. Got sand inside them every trip off road, causing new shoes to last only two trips before they were down to the rivets. Disc brakes clean out much easier.

[Akula69]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Yes, the axle has always been what I would call noisy...it has that positrac accessory that (as I understand it) has several clutches that use centrifigal force to transfer the traction from one spinning wheel to the other. It has clattered and made dull grinding noises before (especially before I added the additive!), mostly when making low speed (1-5 MPH) 90 degree turns. I spoke with a mechanic from the Jeep dealership here and he said "...it'll make those noises until the centrifigal weights wear out..." so I wasn't gonna get worked up about it. Problem is, the noise has gotten much louder...usually when it has been driven for a distance (couple of hours).

 

I'm gonna get it warmed up tomorrow and try it on the stands again.

[Eagle]

...it has that positrac accessory that (as I understand it) has several clutches that use centrifigal force to transfer the traction from one spinning wheel to the other. ... I spoke with a mechanic from the Jeep dealership here and he said "...it'll make those noises until the centrifigal weights wear out..."

Three little words: "Oh" + "My" + "Gawd"

 

Centrifugal force? Centrifugal weights? And you were told this by a mechanic in a Jeep dealership? Man, that's one dealership you don't EVER want to let touch your vehicles.

 

The Trac-Lok differential (it isn't "positrac," Positraction -- or "Posi" for short -- was a GM registered trade name) does use clutches, but there aren't any centrifugal weights. The clutches are pre-loaded by springs. The default condition is that the clutches are engaged. They stay engaged until/unless the torque difference from one side to the other exceeds a certain level, at which point the clutches slip and allow the differential to work as a ... differential.

 

When the friction modifier wears out, the clutches should not make a grinding or crunching noise. There will be some banging/clunking going around low-speed corners as the clutches release abruptly. The purpose of the friction modifier is to smooth out the release so you don't hear that banging/clunking.

 

"Centrifugal weights" ... Bwaahaahaahaahaa :rotf: :doh: :dunce:

[Akula69]

...it has that positrac accessory that (as I understand it) has several clutches that use centrifigal force to transfer the traction from one spinning wheel to the other. ... I spoke with a mechanic from the Jeep dealership here and he said "...it'll make those noises until the centrifigal weights wear out..."

Three little words: "Oh" + "My" + "Gawd"

 

Centrifugal force? Centrifugal weights? And you were told this by a mechanic in a Jeep dealership? Man, that's one dealership you don't EVER want to let touch your vehicles.

 

The Trac-Lok differential (it isn't "positrac," Positraction -- or "Posi" for short -- was a GM registered trade name) does use clutches, but there aren't any centrifugal weights. The clutches are pre-loaded by springs. The default condition is that the clutches are engaged. They stay engaged until/unless the torque difference from one side to the other exceeds a certain level, at which point the clutches slip and allow the differential to work as a ... differential.

 

When the friction modifier wears out, the clutches should not make a grinding or crunching noise. There will be some banging/clunking going around low-speed corners as the clutches release abruptly. The purpose of the friction modifier is to smooth out the release so you don't hear that banging/clunking.

 

"Centrifugal weights" ... Bwaahaahaahaahaa :rotf: :doh: :dunce:

 

Woah Horsey! I just call them as I hear-em!

 

I have no idea how the special crap inside this fat ball of gears works. I appreciate all the "schoolin" I can get ! Since I took the cover off yesterday and found no metal shavings, I tried to start on the axle shafts but this particular model does not have the 5/16 6 point bolt holding the pin in, it has some extremely small reverse torx head bolt. I have read that this particular critter is put in with red threadlocker, so I probably should not strip the head.

 

Trouble is, no store around here seems to have the tool, so I'm back to square one. :headpop:

 

Ah well. Thanks for the responses.

[whowey]

...it has that positrac accessory that (as I understand it) has several clutches that use centrifigal force to transfer the traction from one spinning wheel to the other. ... I spoke with a mechanic from the Jeep dealership here and he said "...it'll make those noises until the centrifigal weights wear out..."

Three little words: "Oh" + "My" + "Gawd"

 

Centrifugal force? Centrifugal weights? And you were told this by a mechanic in a Jeep dealership? Man, that's one dealership you don't EVER want to let touch your vehicles.

 

The Trac-Lok differential (it isn't "positrac," Positraction -- or "Posi" for short -- was a GM registered trade name) does use clutches, but there aren't any centrifugal weights. The clutches are pre-loaded by springs. The default condition is that the clutches are engaged. They stay engaged until/unless the torque difference from one side to the other exceeds a certain level, at which point the clutches slip and allow the differential to work as a ... differential.

 

When the friction modifier wears out, the clutches should not make a grinding or crunching noise. There will be some banging/clunking going around low-speed corners as the clutches release abruptly. The purpose of the friction modifier is to smooth out the release so you don't hear that banging/clunking.

 

"Centrifugal weights" ... Bwaahaahaahaahaa :rotf: :doh: :dunce:

 

Woah Horsey! I just call them as I hear-em!

 

I have no idea how the special crap inside this fat ball of gears works. I appreciate all the "schoolin" I can get ! Since I took the cover off yesterday and found no metal shavings, I tried to start on the axle shafts but this particular model does not have the 5/16 6 point bolt holding the pin in, it has some extremely small reverse torx head bolt. I have read that this particular critter is put in with red threadlocker, so I probably should not strip the head.

 

Trouble is, no store around here seems to have the tool, so I'm back to square one. :headpop:

 

Ah well. Thanks for the responses.

 

I don't think that is a torx head....The ones I have had to remove have been 1/4 inch 12-point bolts, or that roll pin.

[Geonovast]

I've been into 4 axles, 1 non-c clip D35, 2 C clip D35s, and a 27 spline 8.25. The non-c clip D35 had a pin I was unable to remove, the other three had a 5/16 hex bolt.

 

:dunno:

[Akula69]

Well, it was a 12 point 1/4 inch bolt. I got it with a (of all things - I had one) 12 point lawn mower ignition box end wrench :D

 

Got the shafts out and seems to have quieted the noise for now.

 

Thanks again.