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Model: Cherokee
*ADVICE*
My rear end is making a noise I’m convinced it’s a pinion bearing or just something in general with my differential. I’ve been told it would just be easier to drop the axel and slap a new one in. I don’t have the space nor can get space to do it. So I want a shop to do it, how much do you think it’ll cost me to just pull another DANA 35 and slap it in?
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From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
It takes about 5 manhours from start to finish to do a coil spring rear axle like on a ZJ or WJ. Probably a bit more with leaf springs. PLUS the cost of the axle. My mechanic found a rear axle for my WJ with only 65K miles on it and guaranteed for 30 days for $575. The best part about that was the parking brakes still worked!.
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
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From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
Agree with the previous posters.
Get a good Chrysler 8.25 and driveshaft. Call your local shop and price out the 2 jobs. The Dana 35 is a problematic axle, so unless it's a super cheap repair or you can't find a C8.25 for some crazy reason - go with the 8.25.
Get a good Chrysler 8.25 and driveshaft. Call your local shop and price out the 2 jobs. The Dana 35 is a problematic axle, so unless it's a super cheap repair or you can't find a C8.25 for some crazy reason - go with the 8.25.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
It takes about 5 manhours from start to finish to do a coil spring rear axle like on a ZJ or WJ. Probably a bit more with leaf springs. PLUS the cost of the axle. My mechanic found a rear axle for my WJ with only 65K miles on it and guaranteed for 30 days for $575. The best part about that was the parking brakes still worked!.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
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From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
The variability of cost (as Turbo mentioned) is in the other factors - none of which are readily predictable. If you assume $100/hr of labor at 2 hours, you can figure the cost to be [price of the replacement axle] + [transport] + 200 + [removal/disposal of the old axle]. So you could spend $4-500 if you have readily available C8.25's laying around with folks willing to deliver, or you could spend 1k - 1500 if it's difficult to find a replacement and you live in a remote or super high price area.
Keep us posted on how it goes.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 337
Likes: 33
From: Latonia,Kentucky
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 fresh rebuild
U-Pull and Pay our local P&P shows a 8.25 for $110 about a 3 hour job to install , I would buy new U bolts unless the one off the take off are in nice shape, also check your springs and bushings if you have it apart fix it right.. Not a hard task even for a newbie... Good luck.
EDIT change the gear oil and pinion seal also....
EDIT change the gear oil and pinion seal also....
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
It's my opinion that you shouldn't reuse spring U-bolts, but that comes from years of building high performance cars. If you're going to bash it off-road, that still holds.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,282
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From: central IN
Year: 1997
Engine: 4.0
to the op:
i can see this easily costing several hundred dollars. it will heavily depend on the shop doing the work. when using junkyard parts - something else to consider is the integrity of the new (to you) part. 9/10 junkyard stuff is fine but be sure to inspect everything closely on the donor vehicle. especially the brakes. work like this sucks because paying a shop is risky. a dishonest shop will get you and an honest shop that has any issues will cost you, too. i just went through the exact same thing. i sourced another axle and swapped everything. actual axle removal/install took ~30 mins each way. the 2 hours of bs i had in between is another story and not applicable.
as mentioned, i would use new ubolts. pinion and axle seals will be of concern, inspect closely.
i can see this easily costing several hundred dollars. it will heavily depend on the shop doing the work. when using junkyard parts - something else to consider is the integrity of the new (to you) part. 9/10 junkyard stuff is fine but be sure to inspect everything closely on the donor vehicle. especially the brakes. work like this sucks because paying a shop is risky. a dishonest shop will get you and an honest shop that has any issues will cost you, too. i just went through the exact same thing. i sourced another axle and swapped everything. actual axle removal/install took ~30 mins each way. the 2 hours of bs i had in between is another story and not applicable.
as mentioned, i would use new ubolts. pinion and axle seals will be of concern, inspect closely.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
If it were mine, I would (in the very least) pull the cover and visually inspect the gears for wear pattern and count the teeth to make sure it's in good shape and matches my jeep's ratio before I put it in my jeep. JMHO however.
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