Minuit Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 My D35 has been making an assortment of noises ever since I've had it, and they're beginning to worry me. Although I don't think any of them have gotten appreciably worse in the 7,000 miles I've owned my MJ, I want to fix any and all trouble now before it becomes major. At roughly 50-58 mph there is a high pitched whining/howling sound coming from the rear. After roughly 58 mph, the noise becomes completely indiscernible from the cab. The sound happens when on and off the gas, but when I let off it stops for about half a second. Everything I've read points to the pinion bearings. The sound varies in volume seemingly at random. In addition, I can hear a low pitched grumbling sound that sounds a lot like a front wheel bearing, except that it seems to come from the rear diff. My research here suggests a carrier bearing. As far as I know fixing both of those problems (if they are indeed problems with the axle) requires a complete disassembly. The problem here is that I know almost exactly nothing about axles and gears. I doubt rebuilding my D35 is a great idea, but I'm not entirely sure how much having an axle rebuilt/buying an already rebuilt axle will cost. I don't think I'm going to just grab something out of a junkyard and throw it under there (although a newer 8.25 would make a good swap) but I don't really know enough to make that decision. What should I do? I don't think my diff will spontaneously detonate any time soon, but I could be wrong. Any comments are greatly appreciated :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillithium Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Carriers bearings, pinion bearings. Ring and pinion itself, a lot in a diff can make noise. I always like to start outside of the diff, because I hate replacing diff oil. - Check the yoke for up and down movement,(pinion bearing slack) - Jack up the rear, spin both rear wheels and listen for any noise. Try to locate the noise, is it the diff or wheel bearings? The following will cost 2 quarts of gear oil to refill it; You could visually inspect the ring gear and spider gears, Check for odd wear or chipped teeth. Take some pictures while in there, spin the axles and see what it's doing. Also check the old oil for metal slivers. This is the first step, if it all checks out then we'll have to try some other things. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 Carriers bearings, pinion bearings. Ring and pinion itself, a lot in a diff can make noise. I always like to start outside of the diff, because I hate replacing diff oil. - Check the yoke for up and down movement,(pinion bearing slack) - Jack up the rear, spin both rear wheels and listen for any noise. Try to locate the noise, is it the diff or wheel bearings? The following will cost 2 quarts of gear oil to refill it; You could visually inspect the ring gear and spider gears, Check for odd wear or chipped teeth. Take some pictures while in there, spin the axles and see what it's doing. Also check the old oil for metal slivers. This is the first step, if it all checks out then we'll have to try some other things. Good luck! I haven't had much time to jack the MJ up but I did get a chance to play with the driveshaft. I couldn't see any up and down slack at the pinion end but there was some that felt like it was more toward the transmission end. I did try to rotate the DS and there did seem to be a tiny amount of rotational play. This weekend hopefully I'll get a chance to take a closer look. I'll throw it on jackstands and spin some stuff and report back later! Thanks. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 The 8.25 is the only logical choice. Everything else out there is becoming difficult to find.....bolt pattern.....WMS width......etc........ And if you have a 2WD your choices are limitless as the 8.25 is plentiful and a dime a dozen. I looked for months until I found one to suit my needs, and ultimately I chose not to put a penny into my D35......you cannot give one away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 I agree. If the D35 does turn out to have serious internal issues, it's immediately being replaced with something worth my time. I just don't want to jump the gun and buy an axle that I really don't need. I've already looked and most of the 8.25's brake parts swap from the D35, which is nice because I have all of the parts to rebuild my drum brakes in the garage, although if I did swap an 8.25, discs may be on the cards. Until I've diagnosed the D35, I certainly won't waste my time working on it though. I'm going to the JY next week so while I'm there I'll ask about how much they would want for one. When did they get the stronger shafts? 96? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 97+...29spline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 97+...29spline This. They are cheap, plentiful, and strong. You will need to move the spring perches as the only main obstacle. A D35 making noise isn't worth the price of the gear lube to inspect it IMHO. Around here you can get a complete 29-spline 8.25 for around $100. If yours is 2wd and/or you are never going to push it really hard a 27-spline version will still be a major improvement over a D35. I literally could not give away the D35 I just took out from under mine for free despite trying on local boards and CL. I will need to haul it to the scrape yard. Same with the front 2wd beam axle and 2wd AW4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 If you have to move spring pads, why not an 8.8? I got mine locally with 31 spline shafts, discs, 4.10's, and a factory LSD for $130. Oh, and it had less than 80,000 on it when I pulled it. Just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Because the 8.8 is narrower and takes more work to make everything hook up together. They also sell for more than the 8.25". At least around here they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Really? I started stuffing 8.8's in my Heeps because the 8.25 seems to be made out of gold 'round here. Another axle I've been looking at lately is the Toyota 8" rear end. The WMS-WMS distance is very close to our trucks, has the right bolt pattern when pulled from a 2wd Taco, and is supposed to be ridiculously strong. Some 'yota guys run 38's with em with no ill effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Toyota axles are strong for their size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Toyota axles are strong for their size. I was looking for a Yota rear end for my 'manche, but an 8.8 with 4.10's and a tight LSD jumped at me for $130 during my search. I couldn't pass ot up! I'm still curious about the Toyota axles, though. I might mate one to my K5 Blazer in the rear, you know, for science. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 While I understand the merits of the 8.8 etc, I'm not pushing my truck terribly hard (a D35 managed to survive for 152k miles and is still going albeit noisily) and I'm going for a factory build. With that said, I'm going to be pricing an 8.25. What type of LSD did they come with? Is it a trac-lok unit similar to what the D35 got? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/4452332020.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 ... I'm going to be pricing an 8.25. What type of LSD did they come with? Is it a trac-lok unit similar to what the D35 got? Yes. Same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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