mideerslayer

I just picked up a 95 zj that is a v-8 limited, but the previous owner swapped in a 4.0 and matching trans. The jeep runs great but there is a loud whining noise coming from the rear, and the faster you go the higher the pitch of the noise gets.

I had my son lay back there while I drove it for a few and he said it sounds like it is coming from the middle(in the rear)

It reminds me of what a wheel bearing that is bad would sound like but this is in the rear, so I am thinking I need to open up the rear diff, clean it out and replace the fluid?

Any other ideas? Is there wheel bearing on a 95 xj in the rear on model that had the 5.2?

Thanks

Rich