LKN_xj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Cornelius, NC
(reposting here - I accidentally originally posted in the SEC section)
Hi everyone - I recently installed a B.Lee 3-Link in my 91 XJ, and while the axle was out, I swapped in a lower mileage HP Dana 30. Mine had 360k and backlash was way out so since they're plentiful, I just picked another one up.
Before installing, I checked backlash and it was in spec. I didn't check internal bearings or anything like that. Just went for it.
After the 3-link install and axle swap, I figured I'd take a test drive and determine the status of the axle. I should mention the front DS is out for all of these test drives to eliminate this as a source.
I heard what I can best described as a pulsing grinding/roaring sound. It starts at 25 mph and increases in volume as you go faster. Lately, however at highway speeds it just goes away and is quiet. It pulses every second or so, and sometimes is just a constant roar.
I knew it wasn't the tires because they were quiet before the swap and I reinstalled them on the same 4 corners. I know it's not the rear making noise. It's recently rebuilt and is very quiet. So, I replaced everything it could be. I tore the axle ends down to the C's and did ball joints, u-joints, new spindles and unit bearings. All this made absolutely no difference.
Could this be a differential bearing if the backlash was in spec? Visually the gears looked fine. Not sure how to diagnose the diff other than backlash. Another member suggested since the donor axle could have set for a while. a bearing could have seen corrosion and can be grinding. Could this go away over time as it gets re-oiled?
Thanks!
Hi everyone - I recently installed a B.Lee 3-Link in my 91 XJ, and while the axle was out, I swapped in a lower mileage HP Dana 30. Mine had 360k and backlash was way out so since they're plentiful, I just picked another one up.
Before installing, I checked backlash and it was in spec. I didn't check internal bearings or anything like that. Just went for it.
After the 3-link install and axle swap, I figured I'd take a test drive and determine the status of the axle. I should mention the front DS is out for all of these test drives to eliminate this as a source.
I heard what I can best described as a pulsing grinding/roaring sound. It starts at 25 mph and increases in volume as you go faster. Lately, however at highway speeds it just goes away and is quiet. It pulses every second or so, and sometimes is just a constant roar.
I knew it wasn't the tires because they were quiet before the swap and I reinstalled them on the same 4 corners. I know it's not the rear making noise. It's recently rebuilt and is very quiet. So, I replaced everything it could be. I tore the axle ends down to the C's and did ball joints, u-joints, new spindles and unit bearings. All this made absolutely no difference.
Could this be a differential bearing if the backlash was in spec? Visually the gears looked fine. Not sure how to diagnose the diff other than backlash. Another member suggested since the donor axle could have set for a while. a bearing could have seen corrosion and can be grinding. Could this go away over time as it gets re-oiled?
Thanks!