I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD, and I’m debating on how to correct all my axle bearings front and back. Is it better to try to find a rebuilt axles? Or the whole rear differential set up? Or do I take it to someone to do this procedure?

 

If you're wanting to replace all of the bearings, there's a lot of work to get the differentials correct. It's a job you'd want to do a lot of research into how to set bearing preloads if you want to do it yourself and involves a few specialist tools.

As for the outer bearings (my experience being a D35), you just need a few basic tools and a bearing puller. The front is a whole bearing assembly which unbolts with 3 likely seized bolts, and the brake assembly to gain access. Both jobs are fairly simple to do yourself with the most difficult bit likely to be pulling the rear bearing out.

 

ive got over 350,000 miles on this, I am going to take it to someone who has the equipment to do it, it’s going to cost me a bunch of money

 

That's some millage for sure. All I can suggest is to research into who you take it to, and the replacement bearing/seals brands to make sure it's not a job you have to come back to.

To go back to your original post, I personally wouldn't look for already rebuilt axles unless it was a business selling them so you have some form of warranty. I cannot comment on whether it's worth replacing all of the internals as I don't know how worn they get over time.

 

amen

 

it could cost me as high as 2700 per front And rear

 

That is some cost to go into it for sure. I've already replaced my rear axle with a scrap yard one and it's already beginning to make noise again after 2 years or so. I did buy a rebuild kit for my original but couldn't get the crush spacer to crush and haven't touched it since. I bought a few of the tools needed and planned to borrow the rest, maybe one day I'll finish it. I have since got another rear axle spare so that day may be even further into the future.

 

All I know is you have to be passionate about getting it done if you care about it. I have too much invested in this one to quit

 

Agreed. 3 years ago nearly to the day I pulled mine out from where it had been sat for years and got working on it. It's pretty much stock but I must be in £2000 in parts in so far and I do all of the work on it. I want it to last for many years to come as I'm sure you do yours so yeah, I completely agree with that.

 

I have over $14,000 invested

 

Yeah, quite a lot more than me . Maybe one day I'll have spent a similar amount, not that I hope I need to.

 

Mine is a right hand drive and I use it for postal delivery. It’s a collectors item and I’m trying to bring it back to its original form

 

Let me start with a simple question. Why do you think they need done? If it's not noisy, not leaking, or excessive play, I would leave them alone. I certainly would not replace them with cheap bearings, as those tend to fail with a year or two. As posted above, they're not hard to do. I'd say the rears will take longer since you have to pull the diff cover to get the c-clips out. (The older non-clip D35 you didn't, but then you also needed to cut the old bearing race off and press the new one on)

 

What's wrong with them now? If they aren't making any noise I would leave them alone.