Ongoing rear end issues

[eric1514]

So, I've started a few discussions about breaking into the rear diff on my 2005 because of what I think is a noisy pinion bearing and have received some very good and valuable info. I don't think the job is beyond my mechanical skills. I'll have to buy some tools, but who doesn't like doing that and I might require the services of a machine shop to remove and press on the new bearings. It does look like a lot of physical labor and I'm no spring chicken.

So here's the thing. LKQ will ship a complete, lower milage rear end to my door for $500. I have 173k on my Jeep and I see one from them, for example, with 90k. No guarantee it will be better, but it's likely. Does anyone have a good or bad opinion on going this route instead of fixing mine. I'm thinking I would use my old brake components (rotors, calipers, etc.) and suspension bits and just bolt it up. Is this ultimately more work or is it easier to do this way?

Thought?

 

[duderz7]

It,d certainly be less work to bolt in another axle. Like you said remove all the bits and swap.

 

[eric1514]

It,d certainly be less work to bolt in another axle. Like you said remove all the bits and swap.

I made a spreadsheet detailing the costs of each option. Using expensive Mopar parts and buying cheap tools that I'll need and figuring I'll replace the pinion seal on the used axle, the difference in price is right around $230. That is, buying and fixing a used axle is only $230 more. If I don't change the seal, the difference is only about $130.

 

[duderz7]

I made a spreadsheet detailing the costs of each option. Using expensive Mopar parts and buying cheap tools that I'll need and figuring I'll replace the pinion seal on the used axle, the difference in price is right around $230. That is, buying and fixing a used axle is only $230 more. If I don't change the seal, the difference is only about $130.

It is satisfying to rebuild the axle if it all comes out well. Probably the most difficult parts, are removing pinion and carrier bearings, and and applying 550 ft lbs of torque to the pinion nut without over tightening it. It's a delicate high torque game. As long as you are up to the task and you want to have the experience rebuild is not a bad way to go.

 

[Dave_too]

How do you vet the parts you plan to swap in?

 

[eric1514]

How do you vet the parts you plan to swap in?

I’m hoping not to open the diff. The axle looks like it comes with rotors so I was going to remove those and put the ones on my jeep on. I’m hoping not to have to put a pinion seal on it, either. If I do, I might as well just rebuild what I have.

I don’t know who I’m trying to kid. I just spent an hour helping the neighbor trim his tree that’s over growing on to my property. I’m beat. My back, shoulders and left knee are killing me. There is no way I can get up and down to do this repair. I’m not a young man. Right now I think I need to find someone to do this for me.

 

[eric1514]

The other issue I have is that I don’t know the production date of my Jeep. Somewhere around the middle of April, 2005, there was a change in the rear axle assembly. They are not interchangeable. You have to know if your jeep was built before or after that date. Typically you would look at a sticker on the door but mine is too worn to read. The VIN won’t say. The casting on the diff offers no clues. Maybe the dealer can look it up for me.