Hi all, I am looking for some input on what may be wrong with my rear diff on my 1998 Cherokee, it has about 250000km on it and the rear has alot of play in it before it engages the drive (on my hoist I can move the driveshaft back and forth almost an inch before it takes up the slack. This translates into a big clunk when starting after stopping. It looks to have the 8.25 in it (no abs) and I'm a fan of powertrax lunchbox lockers, but I'm curious if i may likely need more than the spider gears. I have read the 8.25 is a fairly strong rear, so I'm just trying to plan what I need before I take it apart. I may get a whole true track carrier if the powertrax lock right won't take up all the slack and the carrier may be junk to.. I dunno. I'm used to the c-clip axles in 10 and 12 bolt gm's so I'm not worried about setting the diff up, it's just my first jeep so I'm not sure what the common things to look for are.

Any input would be great!

Thanks!

 

What shape are your u-joints in? Your gears could be worn or out of adjustment. The bearings could be bad. Have you pulled the cover off and looked inside to see if you see what is wrong?

 

Everything external looks good and tight, it feels like rotational slop, either maybe worn ale splines, spider gears, or i dunno. Its not making bad noises otherwise id have said pinion or carrier bearings, i just wondered what was more likely before opening it up, it might change the parts i order or what kindof lsd i go with. Any common areas with the 8.25 to look for?

 

If the pinion gear can rotate one inch in either direction it's time to replace everything.

 

So the 8.25's arent as durable as i was hoping then eh?

 

It is durable, even with that much slop it has not stranded you yet but I wouldn't count on it lasting much longer.