I have a 96 Cherokee 4.0 5 speed with a Chrysler 8.25 rear. At speeds around 35 a whine can be heard and increases in loudness with my speed. When I let off the gas, the sound drops. I'm assuming this is caused be the axle bearings. The ring gear was replaced in May 2008 about a year before I got the Jeep, so I'm sure it's good. It was done by a reputable shop. Anybody know how hard it is to change these axle bearings and the price? Thanks.

 

What your explaining sounds like carrier bearings alright. I had the same experiance with a work truck we have. Had to replace the gear set a couple years back and reciantly had to replace the carrier bearings too.

 

its not comming through the speakers is it? mine makes an almost whistel like noise, think it is from running multiple amplifiers tho

 

No it's not the speakers. And as you said yours whistles due to multiple amplifiers. That effect also happens from crappy head units.

Was it hard for you to change the bearings in your diff, grn99?

 

If the sound changes when you drift side to side then it would be axle bearings. I don't think that's it in my humble opinion. Carrier bearings maybe.

 

How exactly do I go about changing the carrier bearings considering the noise doesn't change with side to side movement?

 

have a 250 dollar head unit, its from fusion not sure on the quality its pretty good bought it cuz you can put an ipod inside it and it dosent skip wheelin

 

replacing the carriers will require resetting the preload and backlash.

What brand gears were installed?

 

Not sure, the service receipt doesn't say so I'm sure it was just an OEM replacement. It's too cold to tear the diff apart to do all the backlashing and what not, plus I don't know how to because I haven't done one yet. For now I'll get louder speakers, crank up the radio so I can't hear it, and pretend it's not there. When spring time comes around I'll tear it apart and fix it right.