My '99 Grand Cherokee has started to develop sort of a howling noise that seems to come from the driver-side rear end. I'm thinking it's an axle bearing going bad. The right one went bad a couple years ago and it was replaced (under warranty). It's now out of warranty.

Has anyone had any experience replacing these? Is it best left to a shop to handle? I can do most things on a car, but I don't have any sort of press available to me for replacing bearings if it's required.

 

I was thinking you had a D44a rear. But looking at this page http://www.jeep4x4center.com/grand_c...eModel35WJ.htm

It is showing a D35. Either way, I believe you will need a press to get the job done. Rarely are bearing replacable without a press unless their unit bearings.

Some common practices involve the Torch, prybar, HOT POTATO fun. This involve heating said bearing to the point just before melting it to goo...Prying with bars and when it pops off into the air, you sir have a HOT POTATO. Don't bother touching it even with welding gloves on as it will burn through them in about half a second. Dont ask

 

I thought so. Thanks for the confirmation.

Guess I'll be heading off to the mechanic for this one before it gets too bad.

 

Keep in mind it depends on which bearing it is.

You have axle bearings at the end of the tubes, you have carrier bearings near the center section and you lastly have pinion bearings.

If you end up with a full rebuild to replace them all, generally around here the cost is about $250 labor and 100-150 for the kit to rebuild it.

Sound travels so it could be any bearing. I know when I let off the gas, I got a howl from my rear axle and it was the pinion bearing. Upon replacement, I discovered the carrier bearings were shot. Ended up doing a full rebuild to cure all problems.

 

It seems like it gets louder when I let off the gas. So, worst case I should expect it to be around $400 or so?

 

For prices from a local 4x4 shop, the price would be about $400.

From a dealership/stealership...$1500 or more.

If its getting worse when you let off the gas, its probably pinion. If it gets worse rounding corners, then its the wheel bearing of the tire with pressure on it. IE Right Turn puts pressure on Left rear tire.