I need help. I just bought a 1989 Cherokee Pioneer and the dude said he thinks it needs the inner bearings replaced in the rear end? Has anyone heard of this? There is a "whining""grinding""ticking" noise that comes from the back. It sounds like when a wheel bearing goes out to me? Any thoughts? Thanks ya'll.

 

Does it happen gouing straight or making a turn? Could be spider gears..

 

Turning doesn't make it worse. From inside the vehicle it sounds like the whining of mud tires. Only thing is I don't have mud tires just A/T's.

 

Another thing to look at is driveshaft u-joints..But if you are getting a wining or growling type noise bearings could be the issue.

 

When you say the bearings. Do you mean the wheel bearings or are there bearing inside the diff. that are similar to wheel bearings?

 

without actually hearing it and inspecting it hard to say..But yes it could be the inner or outter bearings...could also be the u-joints..a bad driveshaft u-joint will make a growling noise but not all the time just at certain rpm ranges...if it's not stop then it's a bearing but hard to determine if it's the wheel bearing or an inner bearing..

 

Which rear axle do you have? D35 or a D44??

 

I'm gonna guess and say the 35 due to I have no trailer hitch in the back and I've read that the 44 was used in the tow pkg.

 

I have almost the same sound and pinned it down to the pinion bearings. About $10 at autozone...Tj

 

I know this does not have to with the rear end, but I have a question about an air filter looking deal on the valve cover. I noticed that there is a hose that comes off the back of air cleaner box, that doesn't connect to anything. It's bent like it used to plug into some kind of vacuum junction. I guess my question is whats the filter for and how often should I replace it? Also, this is my first Jeep so I am really lame for this. How do you I fill the radiator? I have never seen one without a traditional cap? I know I can always use the overflow tank, I am just wondering if this is the only way to check coolant levels.

 

The breather is something the prior owner put on. It is supposed to tie into the airbox. (maybe your unhooked line.) You also have a vacuum line to the front of the airbox that is supposed to open a freshair duct.

You have a closed cooling system and that tank on the passenger side firewall is not an overflow tank it is the expansion tank. The cap on the top (black) is the only open port for the cooling system. It is a pressure type cap so be careful if hot and also be careful not to crossthread it. HTH

The rear noise is probably the pinion bearing which means rebuilding the rear to get to that bearing. A D35 is not worth the effort. Find a rear in the junkyard that is from a 97 or newer XJ. It is the Cryco 8.25" and will be a straight bolt in and be much more stout. Just confirm the gear ratio before purchasing it.The D35 is not worth a rebuild.

 

Thanks blue. How often should I change that breather? It's kinda gnarly inside right now. Covered in oil and such. What purpose does it serve? As far as the rear end goes. The dude I bought it from said he was going to replace it with one from an Explorer. Said it's a straight bolt on as well. Was he right? Also when I put it reverse, the rear end sometimes sounds like it slams into reverse. Not every time, but some times. Don't know it that will help any. Thanks.

 

The breather pulls oil vapors into the air intake to be burned during ignition. It is now just venting those vapors to the atmosphere.
The Explorer(often nicknamed Exploders) are a great rear and will upgrade you to rear discs but unfortunately need revision to bolt in. They are called 8.8 rears.You need to relocate the spring perches and the shock mounts and reweld them. The axle tubes have been known to rotate and thus also need to be welded to prevent that from occurring.
The noise when shifting to reverse is the play in the pinion bearing as the race slams against the bearings inside it. It is a further indication that the end of the D35's life is near.

 

Thanx Blue. As I said before I really am gaylie new to this. When I call the junk yards and say "I need a Cryco 8.25" rear axle from a 97' or newer Cherokee." I don't want to sound like a *** an get ripped for the $$. I live in southern Oregon so if someone that's reading this know's the lingo or someone can tell me if I have the right name and something people will know. know what I mean?

 

89pioneer tell them you are looking for a rear end from a 97 and up Cherokee and that you need to have the corporate axle. Corporate = Chryco in this instance. Cryco = Chrysler Corporation. HTH 89pioneer

Make sure you know which gear ratio you have and that is another thing to have them match. Say you have a 3.55:1 ratio (most common) You need to replace youe existing axle with the same ratio.