Would you grab an Axle from a vehicle that is just sitting on the ground. This is a smaller family owned pull-a-part, and I have no way of knowing if it was just dumped hard or what. Not sitting on anything raising it off the ground. Covered in clay, heavy rain for days. Obviously I'll open it up to inspect the guts, and also inspect the outside best I can, but am I taking a big risk on it being slightly tweaked? It's a 99 8.25 and I need it to replace my ABS d35c.

 

They want $175 for the nasty ones, but I found a super clean one, and they want $300. No way in hell.

 

You are taking a risk on the axle since the vehicle was dumped on the ground but the same risk applies to Cherokees that have been wrecked or offroad hard or any junkyard axle in general. I would suggest trying to measure different points to see if there is a tweak or not or take a level or take a ruler/flat object and hold it next to the axle tubes and see if the axle is tweaked. Personally, I would take the risk but to me,$175 is high for me for 8.25 where I am located. If you can try to look at other junkyards to see if they got one for a better deal or Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and see if someone has one or parting a Cherokee out with one, or check car-part.com.

 

check with blueridgemark's part out thread. he may have what you're looking for.

 

Check for it being bent, ring and pinion damage (try turning the pinion by hand and see how the bearings feel). If it feels loose or you feel play, then that means messing with the bearings, which is difficult.

But if the outer tube seals are good and the cover is still sealed, and gear oil still in there, then it should be good. Offer $125 and see what happens.