Rear Diff Jerky
 

No, can chew on it. Seems after we drive it for a while the rear Diff just seems a bit Jerky, and you feel it and hear it clicking and knocking when you turn it easy one way or another. Took it in and had it looked at and the mechanic replaced some parts, but it's still doing it.
He said we'll be ok, but advises that we look into a new Differential setup. Yes, I can look for a Junk yard replacement,,,but in the middle of the desert with no cell signal--rather replace it with new parts. I did some looking and I was seeing Dana 35 Trac-Lock open carrier's and Spiders?
What am I exactly looking for to solve this issue?
Thank you!
http://www.teamh12one.com

Sounds like it may have bad spider gears if it only makes noise when you turn.

There's trac-lock and open, two different carriers. If you have a trac-lock it might just be the clutches binding because it needs a friction modifier added. If it's an open diff then something's wrong.

If you don't know which diff is in there raise the rear tires off the ground and with the trans in Park, or in gear for a manual, spin one rear tire. If it freely spins and other spins the opposite direction its an open diff and shouldn't make any noises. If it feels locked or is hard to turn it's got a traclock, try adding a friction modifier available at any parts store. It'll take a little driving to get the modifier into the clutches but it should mellow it out fairly quickly.

When you say "turn it easy one way or the other" are you taking about having the axle off the ground or when you are driving it around corners? If it's while driving it around turns it could have a lunchbox carrier, these will make a clicking noise and might even cause a slight jerk around turns as normal.

What parts did your mechanic replace? If he took the diff cover off he should have seen if it had a locker or not and also checked the spider gears and clutches if you have a open or limited slip rear.

If you have the Dana 35, then that is the weaker axle. I would suggest you yank an entire rear axle, drum to drum from another Cherokee with the 8.25. Many, many axles run FOREVER with zero issues though. I wouldnt bother rebuilding a junkyard axle. Look it over good before you put it in and it should be fine.

My 35 is coming up on 200k. It makes a little noise, the fluid had been ignored a VERY long time and was disgusting. If not for that it would probably still be fine. If it's not gonna be beaten on the 35 is fine.

Sorry, but I had to do it...


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Lol... I was thinking it would make a good slogan bumper sticker for Rusty's or someone else who supplies Diffs... :)