I have an old ZJ I don't want to part ways with and looking for a shop to rebuild the rear end.

I replaced the rear axle bearings and seals this past weekend hoping that would be the issue but I think it really is the rear pinion or carrier bearings responsible for all of the noise. I consider myself to be a pretty good shade tree mechanic but after a bit of reading and research I think this might best be left to someone that knows what they are doing. Would love to learn how to do this but I don't have the tools/space it looks like is needed to do this properly.

Thoughts suggestions?

1/14/2015 10:50:53 AM

East Coast Gear Supply if you want to pay for it

.... I would probably just get a complete axle from a salvage yard or pull-a-part and swap it out.

What axle? You could always upgrade if you're into wheeling.

1/14/2015 2:45:25 PM

Get a junkyard axle.

1/14/2015 2:45:38 PM

1/14/2015 3:18:15 PM

Thanks for the input. It's a D35 axle.

I did a look up on car-part.com and found one at Wagner's Auto Salvage in Durham for $250. It says the axle is an "A" grade so assume that's good but how do I truly know the thing isn't bad after I spend my time bolting the new one on? Anyone have any feedback/experience going to Wagner's?

I'm assuming I have to pull it myself or do these places have them on the shelf somewhere?

1/14/2015 5:18:01 PM

https://www.google.com/search?q=dana+35&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=heu2VPmDB4enNuuUgpAO&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1280&bih=929#rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&tbm=isch&q=broken+dana+35&revid=119006636



[Edited on January 14, 2015 at 5:20 PM. Reason : gotta be one of the most hated axles in the world-]

1/14/2015 5:20:16 PM

Yeah after digging through the various forum posts I have seen that message quite a bit. This is a daily driver to and from work so looking for an easy fix right now.

When I pulled the cover off last weekend I did notice some chipping on the inside of the spider gears if that means anything. I didn't think that would be the source of the noise when driving straight down the road though.

Looks like this:


[Edited on January 14, 2015 at 5:57 PM. Reason : img]

1/14/2015 5:45:07 PM

i'm no genius and it's kinda hard to tell but


If that is chipping you the spiders were probably over heating which means you probably didn't have enough diff fluid in there or it had been contaminated with something.

But it could be casting flaws which are somewhat rare but do show up sometimes after wear on the spiders

replacing the spiders is easy... however... i'd get a junkyard axle...

hell you could even upgrade to the aluminum dana 44 (they're cheap too because no one wants them) but then you could say DANA 44 Swap!

1/14/2015 7:50:59 PM