Guy texted me, just bought this jeep and the axle was making terrible noise.

 

I think he needs a new rear end. . .

 

Tear it apart, if it didn't destroy the axle housing, put a carrier and bearings in it. Obviously check the gears for wear, I'm sure they will have a lot

Can I ask why it's missing the ring gear bolts?

 

All of the bolts broken off?

 

No, the bolts didn't break off, there was only 1 ring gear bolt in there! I told the guy to take the front cover off and check for bolts torque and compare the ratio to the rear. He didn't look the Jeep over well and is finding all sorts of crazy stuff! I had an add on Craigslist for diff parts and he sent me the pic saying he needed the broke thing. If you look close it looks like most of the cover bolts are snapped off too...

 

Well the "broke thing" is the axle carrier.

 

Here is a pic of the cover he sent me, looks like the ring gear went back and started wearing through

 

it would be easier to just swap in a new rear then try to mess that. he could probably find a decent 8.25 for the price of carrier, ring and pinion, master rebuild kit and cover. Plus all the time to take out the broken cover bolts.

 

Holy **** batman! How do you not notice that when looking over a potential buy?!?!

 

It's been ****ing welded! Look at the top of the marks. The seller sold him junk.

 

Someone was hitting the crack pipe it looks like.A used rear end would be the cheapest and easiest repair for that.And i hope hes not driving that anymore tell its fix.

 

The problem is this is a TJ wrangler. Not easy to find a used rear axle like a Cherokee. And this guys knowledge and abilities don't seem to be extensive.

I was looking at the cover thinking it was welded also. Now I am thinking the guy he bought it from did a botched ring and pinion change, didn't tighten the main caps and it walked backward. Then put the original parts back in using the most powerful impact wrench in the world and sold it to the first fool with money.

I don't know the guy, he just responded to my add for diff parts on Craigslist. I was thinking of helping him out putting a used ring pinion and carrier in there, but he hasn't been able to read me the numbers off the ring gear to see if I have one, so I have lost interest.

Friends don't let friends buy Jeeps without looking at them!

What I don't understand is how they broke so many cover bolts. I have taken 100's of diffs apart and can only recall breaking 1 cover bolt.

 

TJs had Dana 35s and 44s. His best bet would be to get a "new" rear.

 

The diff cover only way i see breaking all those bolts is a impact or air ratchet going the wrong way wide open tell they snapped,Or he ripped the diff cover off off roading maybe.

 

With the abrasions on the ring gear from where it was grinding on the cover I doubt he will be able to read the numbers on it.