g.mccormick

Ok to make a long story a little shorter. A couple weeks ago I picked up a '99 cherokee with 157xxx miles for $1400. I knew it needed work when i got it. So far I have gone through and replace many maintence items. Drove it around the subdivision tonight, and when pulling into the drive I goosed it while in 4-lo. THis resulted in a terrible grinding sound(the front drive shaft is off right now). Triied in 2 & 4 hi and was able to reproduce the sound.

Backed into garage and pulled the rear diff cover. Found what appears to be a bunch of water mixed in the oil and there was a def. silver shimmer to the oil. When we rocked the wheels back and forth (the trans was in park) we could see that the pinion was jumping around. So it appears that at the minimum, the pinion bearings are gone. I have never rebuilt a differential before, is it a better idea to pull one from the JY or try and rebuild this one. I'm sure I could do it with a manual (I am fairly mechanically inclined just never done a diff).

What say you?

Abovetimberline

it would be less money to get a used one,but if you feel confident that you can rebuild this one then it will at least be new. The biggest part of rebuilding them is getting the pattern on the ring and pinion right,if if is not you will destroy it in no time. you will also need to obtain a dial indicator.