Forgive me jeepwire, for I have sinned. It's been many moons since my last post.

I was driving around last night (`97 TJ, d30/d35, 3.07, 31's), and started noticing a loud popping/clunking sound on hard left turns, but only when I apply power. It seems to be coming from the rear. I crawled under it a few minutes ago, and didnt see anything suspension-wise that looked to be loose or out of place. It also feels strange in turns now. I rocked the jeep side to side, bounced up and down on the bumper, drove around in circles, but could not reproduce the sound unless I was making a left turn under power. It's bad enough that I dont think driving it is a good idea.

My guess is that I've spun one of the axles, but not quite bad enough for it to pop when the other tire is sharing more of the load. Your thoughts?

Hope everyone is doing well and having a more mechanically sound holiday.

-h

My cj was doing the same thing. When i took it apart, the wheel bearing fell out in about 20 pieces. It will be easy to tell if you take it apart. Best of luck, Merry Christmas.

Without a locker in there a lot can be learned by jacking up what you think is the offending wheel and turning it by hand. If nothing is learned apply power and then brakes..
Then change the jack to the other wheel and repeat.
If the axel is apart the wheel assembly can come completely out.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Spun an axle shaft? What do you mean by that?

I've seen shaft's pulled out of the race truck that are twisted 30* from straight and they don't make noise. Popping is caused from something binding up then letting go really fast. Failed bearings usually don't bind and let go, they sound more like grinding.

I bet you have a foobared spider gear. Pull that cover drain the fluid and do a very meticulous inspection.

im with you on that sunder.....bet ya you are missing some teeth.....this is easy to check for .....pull the cover and do a visual....its not a hard fix either.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I was thinking that I could have sheared some of the splines off the end of one of the axle shafts, causing it to bind/pop/spin in the carrier when loaded in one direction. Wouldnt it make noise turning both directions if it were a spider gear? In a straight line or turning right its quiet. I havent had time to pull anything apart yet, even picked up a rental (Dodge 1500 quad-cab 4x4 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />) since I wont have an opportunity to mess with for at least a week and its my daily driver. Its a little cold/wet/icy to take the bikes out.

But, assuming it is the axle/diff/anything having to do with the d35, I'm thinking I should upgrade to a d44 and more appropriate gearing. I found some OEM axles here:
http://www.jeepsareus.com/Merchant2...Code=JAU&Category_Code=Wrangler1

As much as I would like to get the pair of d44's for the rubicon, I think I'm going to be stuck just getting a single open diff d44 rear with 3.73 gearing. I know you have to swap carriers in the d35 if you go above/below 3.55, but I'm not sure about the d30 up front. Will a front d30 with 3.07 take 3.73 without having to swap the carrier?

Any recommendations on other sources for bolt-in axles (barring the usual trek through the junkyard)? I need something bolt-in that wont break the bank.

Actually, now that I think about it more, it could very well be a gear, I've noticed over the past several months that there has been a lot of play when rotating the driveshaft by hand (not lateral, just rotational), and its been making a more pronounced whine over time. I was hoping to stay away from diff internals, since I know very little about the art of setting them up properly, and dont want to learn on my daily driver.

Maybe santa will be nice this year and leave a Bowler Wildcat on my front lawn.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8292520021453710550

Question:
Answer: No. It will take 3.54 and lower. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

It's very hard to strip the splines on an axle shaft. They usually just break if you apply that much force to one. I've wasted a couple sets of spider gears on a 35...



The best way I have found to get a set of 3.73's and carrier is to just buy a yard axle from an XJ with 3.73's. They can be had for under 200$ and I believe it will just bolt into a TJ. ALSO you get a high pinion front end which is really nice for lifts... If you donÆt want a low pinion you can get a d30 from a ZJ with the V8 with 3.73Æs. And I believe the innards will just swap to what you have nowà


SD can you verify??

Good call on the spider gears. I think im just going to replace the gears in this axle and wait for a warmer/more financially appropriate time to upgrade to the d44. Any advice for a first time diff gear overhaul? I swapped gears on an MG once, but blew the motor a week later and ended up using it as a parts car, so I dont know how long they would have lasted <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

why no lunchbox now? no time like the present for a traction device! resize your photos before posting please.