1996bluexj

hi all I started working to replace my wheel bearings on my jeep and I have never done this job before so I have been watching videos on how to replaces these and I found out I have a dana 35 that has the retaining plate to remove the axle from the housing and I found out that the bearings are pressed on to the axle shaft so my question is what bearings do I need to buy? I have been looking around the parts store and all the bearings I've seen don't match the ones on the axle, the bearings on the axle are tapered. so im stumped which ones to buy, can I use different bearings than the originals? I have a 96 sport 4x4 by the way.

jhc7399

Quite a few of them here. I did mine last year but I cannot remember where I ordered them from.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/j...l+bearing,1672

1996bluexj

so the bearings don't need to be tapered like the originals?? can I press these bearings on to the shaft?

jhc7399

My bad, non c clip. I did not read your whole post before I replied.

Just sent you a pm.

1996bluexj

does this mean I have a different dana 35 than stock from a Cherokee? could this axle be a swap from another jeep??

dans98xj

Standard Dana 35 axle in 1996 was a c-clip. They stopped using the non c-clip in 1990. I would look at the axle flange to be sure. Non c-clip would have a large hole to remove axle from the housing. C-clip would have no extra hole. As stated before you could have an axle swapped in from an earlier model.

A Dana 44 would be a bolt in axle. take a picture of the rear and post it we will let you know what you have

1996bluexj

There is no hole on the axle flange and I took the retaining plate off and the axle came right out. My problem is finding the correct bearing for the axle.

1996bluexj

Oooops there is a hole on axle flange. So I found the xj models yrs that carry the non c clip dana 35. So hopefully napa has them. I'm going to check after work.

1996bluexj

Thanks everybody for your help, finally got the bearing and seals. the non c-clip dana 35 came from 84-89 jeep Cherokees. Now I just got to pull out the old inner seal and outer race from the axle housing.

jhc7399

Autozone rents a puller and it takes about 10 seconds each, well worth it.

SteveMongr

Outer race located in axle tube should come out without tools, it is not a pressed fit.
The new ones should also be tapered but is difficult to see with the attached outer race.
The issue I had with reinstalling is the retaining plate. The studs in plate break loose and can turn, preventing nut from fully tightening. Some recommend to add a spot weld to those studs.

1996bluexj

ok thank you I will try that.