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Rear End noise 40-50mph

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Old 03-11-2014, 12:41 AM
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Default Rear End noise 40-50mph

Ok I have a 1998 jeep cherokee manual tranny 4wheel drive. 231j transfer case. dana 35 rear end. bone stock.
Recently when Im driving between 40 and 50 mph my rear-end howls it sounds just like a truck with big knobby tires (it's very loud not just tire on road sound). It happens when accelerating or decelerating but is more pronounced when accelerating or holding steady speed. It howls in neutral and in gear. Above 50 howling goes away but comes back at about 57-58 mph but is fainter.
So i changed the rear end fluid put in 75-140 gear oil nothing changed. Then I removed the drive shaft put it in 4wheel drive and drove it on the front driveshaft only, and the howling went away. So i replaced the u-jionts put the drive shaft back in and the howling continues.
My question is what could it be. pinon bearing? the reason I think it isn't is because if the bearing was going out not only would it still have spun without the drive shaft (I think) but why would the noise go away above 50?
Old 03-11-2014, 04:39 AM
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Time to open the rear diff for a good inspection...
Old 04-10-2014, 07:57 AM
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I had similar problem and it turned out to be a wheel bearing.
Old 04-10-2014, 12:09 PM
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My guess would be you have a spun carrier shim and it's let the gears move out of spec or you have a bad bearing that has let the gears move out of spec. The howl is gear related so that should narrow it down for you.

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Old 04-10-2014, 12:54 PM
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Pinion bearing 99% sure. The OE dif fluid gets corrosive if its not changed within 100k or so..... all Chrysler diffs have this issue..
Old 04-10-2014, 02:10 PM
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Agreed on pinion bearings. Unbolt your shaft again (Just let it hang) and see how much side-to-side play your pinion has. Guarantee both pinion bearings are worn out.

Last edited by 1976Mustang; 04-10-2014 at 02:12 PM.
Old 04-11-2014, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by samwarmerdam
Ok I have a 1998 jeep cherokee manual tranny 4wheel drive. 231j transfer case. dana 35 rear end. bone stock.
Recently when Im driving between 40 and 50 mph my rear-end howls it sounds just like a truck with big knobby tires (it's very loud not just tire on road sound). It happens when accelerating or decelerating but is more pronounced when accelerating or holding steady speed. It howls in neutral and in gear. Above 50 howling goes away but comes back at about 57-58 mph but is fainter.
So i changed the rear end fluid put in 75-140 gear oil nothing changed. Then I removed the drive shaft put it in 4wheel drive and drove it on the front driveshaft only, and the howling went away. So i replaced the u-jionts put the drive shaft back in and the howling continues.
My question is what could it be. pinon bearing? the reason I think it isn't is because if the bearing was going out not only would it still have spun without the drive shaft (I think) but why would the noise go away above 50?
Sounds like it was chili night! But in all seriousness, I had a problem similar to this, only it was anytime over 60MPH. Changed the diff fluid and it was a-okay after that! The old stuff was quite dirty....Probably sucked in a bit of mud from our last mudding trip, but that was about 6 months ago. Way too long before changing, I know.
Old 04-11-2014, 09:58 AM
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Or Pull the DL off and spin the pinion yoke and feel or listen for the growling....
Old 04-11-2014, 10:53 AM
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Is your jeep lifted? If so how much? A bad pinion angle can cause premature pinion bearing failure.
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