I'm sure this has already been covered but..... I have a 95 xj 4x4. I'm almost sure it has 8.25 chrystler back there tho I'm not sure how to tell. I did see a big chrystler symbol. Any who I have a whineing noise slightly higher pitch than say mud tire road noise. I was sure it was the pinion gear how ever when I was changing the shocks I checked the play and found that the drive shaft has radial play in it. Could it be the bearings or should I just swap the axle for a 44 or 8.8. Keep in mind it's just me doing this. With basic mechanics tools

 

when you say radial do you mean side to side?

 

Yes. Side to side. Sorry. Aircraft work coming into play there

 

I just got under it again and found that the play isn't so much side to side anymore. But as I turn it now. It's looking more and more like the pinion gear