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my 8.25 has a rumbling noise

Xtreme Jeeper

NAXJA Forum User
I have a 95 XJ and there has been this noise that has been getting progressivly worse. Its to the point now that its really loud and its starting to make a noise that sounds like a mechanical grind. The funny thing is that it is only when it turns right. Someone told me it could be wheel bearings someone told me it could be spider gears. I cant really afford to take it in to get fixed i'm still in high school. So any diagnostic tests or anything you guys can think of would be greatly appreciated.
 
Usually the bad wheel bearing will get louder when you load it, that is, stress it more, as in turning one direction or the other. Would bet you have a bad wheel bearing. I will post back on how to replace.
 
Just did mine and its no big deal. Rent a bearing puller, the slide hammer type from autozone, its just a deposit. Secure the vehicle, put the rear end up on jack stands and remove the wheels and brake drums. Open up the diff and drain the fluid. Assuming you have an open carrier, rotate the carrier around until you see the retaining bolt that keeps in the mating pin (big silver pin about 1/2" diameter) that the spider gears rotate on. Remove the retaining bolt, it's got loc-tite on so it can be a pain, and remove the mating pin. The spider gears may or may not fall out, but don't worry. At this point go to the axles and push them in, they will stop at about 1/4" of travel. Look in the diff and you can now see the c-clip on the end of each axle. Grab the c-clip with needle nose pliers and pull it off the axle(s). At this point you can carefully remove the axles from the housing. Look for any galling, pitting or excessive wear where it runs on the bearings. If bad, you may need to replace. Read that as not cheap.

So, now grab the bearing puller and install the correct size fingers to pull the bearings. Slide it in behind the bearing and catch one finger so it will rotate the other finger into position and you are ready to slam away. Don' t worry about the seal, it will come out with the bearing. Be carefull with your fingers and don't get them in the way of the sliding weight. Believe me. Pull the bearings and inspect, more than likely they will feel slightly rough. Its way amplified with the weight of the vehicle on them though.

Clean out the bearing pocket, they usually have some sealant in there, you may elect to reseal with a little silicone around the bearing retainer, but personally I've had no problem leaving them without. If your rental puller came with an installer, change over to it or locate a socket approximately the same size as the bearing. Position the new bearing carefully with the numbers facing you, and use the socket with a light hammer to tap into place. Be patient here, you will feel the difference tapping when the bearing is seated. Repeat with the seal. Smear some bearing grease around the interior lip of the seal, it will help with its job of keeping in the diff fluid. Wipe off the axle and very very carefully insert thru the new seal and bearings and into the diff and thru those bearings. Push all the way in so you can re-install the c-clips, and then pull the axle out to seat the clips in their retainer pocket. Repeat for the other side if you're doing both (might as well). If at this point the spider gears have fallen out, you can re-install them by rotating the carrier around until you can fish them in at just the right place and re-install the mating pin and retaining bolt. The spiders can be a hassle, but be patient and you will see how they mesh. Take a good look beforehand, too. When you are all assembled, wipe out the bottom of the housing and all the goo and metal particles down there, check the rotation and function, re-install the diff gasket/cover, and fill-er-up with fluid. Do all this under the cleanest circumstances you can, bearings don't like dirt.

I think I covered it all, if anybody sees a mistake just pipe up. Should take around 2hrs if you're working by yourself and on the floor like I did. Good luck!!
 
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