My 2000 XJ recently started making the same squealing sound that's in this video:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpZjSh9d_vA&feature=youtu.be


The sound on my Jeep isn't as loud, but it's the same sound. Online searching suggests it's probably a rear axle bearing. Would you guys agree?

Would it be normal for a wheel bearing to go out at 113,000 miles? I can't believe I might have to replace yet another part on this Jeep, but whatchya gonna do?

 

This will be the Epitaph of my tombstone..

It does sound like a bearing, not sure it's a wheel. It matches RPM, or speed to something. Did you rev the engine in park/neutral to make sure it's not a pulley, or worse yet, motor bearing?

Isolate the sound first to eliminate the possibilities.

 

Yes, if I put the Jeep in neutral while rolling at around 30MPH, I can rev the engine and it has no affect whatsoever on the noise. As I slow down, the frequency changes a bit. It's related to speed and not engine RPM.

I can do most repairs myself, but replacing axle bearings apparently requires a hydraulic press, which I don't have. Might have to put it in the shop this time. Mrs. Klutch will not be pleased. I'm thinking I should have both bearings replaced while the diff is apart. Good idea?

 

Is there any way to determine for certain the problem is the axle bearing?

 

Yes there is a way to determine.

Does cornering have any affect on the noise? You can also put in on four jack stands, put in in 4whl high and have Mrs. Klutch bring the speed up to about 20 or 30 mph. (Make sure your jack stands are on sturdy FLAT ground before doing this!!!) Then you can take a stethoscope and listen to the back of each of the four wheel bearings.

Does is sound louder in the front or rear?

ANd the good news is you do not need a press to do bearings on the XJ!

 

I don't think cornering has no affect on the noise. I'll check on the way home today to be sure. I have a good set of jack stands and can easily do that test. Thanks.

I don't need a press? That really is good news. Perhaps I was looking at an incorrect tutorial online. I'll do some more research. If you have a link for a tutorial that doesn't require a press, that would be very helpful.

 

I like this guys video a lot. Straight forward and right to the point.

 

^^ Thanks! I'll watch that video tonight.

 

A press no, a slide hammer is pretty much a must.

Most vehicles you need a press but not our wonderful box on wheels!

 

OK, I'm confused. The video above was pretty good. But it's completely different from every other video and picture tutorial I found which shows a bearing pressed onto the half shaft. Are those other types of Jeeps and not XJs?


If my 2000 XJ is like the Jeep in the video above, I can do this easy-peasy.

 

Just to make sure we are talking the rear wheel bearing correct?

 

The ZJ has, or at least, HAD the the pressed on seals and bearings at some point, so if you were reading write-ups about the Grand Cherokee, then that's where your confusion would lie. The stock XJ axles are different than those. The axle shaft slides in to the seal and rests on the bearing, so you don't need a press for them... although even with the pressed on bearings, you don't always need a press. I had a buddy with a ZJ who would cut off the old ones with a cut off wheel and a chisel, and then use a BFH and some odd contraption his grandfather had fabricated to get the new bearings on.

 

Yes, rear wheel bearing.

 

Over the weekend, I put the rear axle up on jack stands and ran it in Drive. With the engine spun up just enough to get the speedometer between 30 and 40 MPH, I could hear the noise. I was certain it was coming from the left, rear wheel.

I pulled off the wheel and the brake drum and repeated the test. Again, the sound seemed to be coming directly from the left rear hub.

I replaced the left rear axle bearing and installed a new seal. I drove it this morning and the noise persists.

I was concerned a bad bearing might overheat and cause signifiant damage to the diff. Since it seems this is not a bearing problem, I'm now inclined to just ignore it. (??)