Hey ZJ crew! An XJ guy needs your help! A family friend of mine has a 95 grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.0L 4x4, auto and D35 rear end.
On her rear tires, the inside (towards the gas tank) are wearing really bad and unevenly. She took it to a shop and they said her axle/diff was bent and that's what is causing the tires to wear like that. She also said its leaking diff fluid from the one side of the pumpkin, enough to leave drips/puddle on her garage floor. The shop also said that her bearings are fine so that can be ruled out. She says there hasn't been any noises or grinding coming from the rear end at all.
Do you guys think the axle being bent is most likely the cause? Apparently the PO drove the jeep pretty hard.
The shop quoted her $700 to fix it and said she'd have to wait until January for them to do it.
Being another jeep guy I want to help her out. I was just gonna go to the wrecker and get a D35 and just swap it in because the local pick a part only wants $100 for a D35. I have done a 4.5 rough country x series lift on my xj so I know the ropes on taking axles out and what not.

To sum it all up. I pretty much am just looking for an answer as to is swapping in a JY axle going to solve the problem?

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!!!

 

It would take both axle being bent to wear both tires evenly. That said the bearing should be raising imortal hell, especially with the leak. Everything aside, the best fix is a swap.

Ron

 

I would swap the axle. if your going the JY way, you could grab a D44a as well, its a better axle. But not incredible, just better then the D35. just another option. Also make sure the gear ratio's are the same

 

Awesome! Thanks for the input guys! For sure i will make sure the gears are the same. I thought about puttin the 44a in but I don't think there are any at the JY I'm going to. If there is I will definitely consider it though.
Thanks again guys!!