OT - 97 xj axle tech

[Sitting Bull]

My daily driver (97 xj) is making a grinding sound (not that bad, but audible). I took it to the mechanic (as I always do with my daily driver), he said the diff had spun a bearing, and that he needed to go through it.

Now then, this thing is going to see about as much 4 wheelin as my honda civic. Could I just put part-time hubs on it, unengage them, and then who cares?

The reason I'm asking is the mechanic says you can't do that with this type of axle, but I don't know why? I trust this guy more than any previous mech. I've ever talked to, he's fixed several thing in the past for free even. So I don't think he's trying to hose me.

Any thoughts?

[89grand]

It seems to me that even if you unlock the hubs it would still have to spin, you just wouldn't have power going to it. I'm not an XJ authority so don't take my word for, this is just what I think.

[Will Morris]

You have unit bearings on the front Dana 30, so you can put hubs on it with a conversion kit for about 800 bucks from Warn. I'd just go ahead and tear into it and see what you can find. Hopefully it's nothing too bad. If you don't have well over 100k miles on it, then it'd be unusual for it to need anything major. I don't think he's trying to hose you. Sounds like it just needs some investigation.

Good luck,
Will

[Sitting Bull]

Thanks Will...I'll breathe a little easier. You making to the WOT???

[Will Morris]

No problem Brad. Hopefully all it will need is a new bearing somewhere. I'll be at the WOT unless something comes up that I'm not expecting. I'm going to pick up my 205 tomorrow, but the big red neighbor scaring machine still needs steering and driveshafts before it can show up. I'll be there in the white '76 or the Magic Bus.

Will

[2ndtimearround]

An 97 XJ runs a D30 front axle. It should not be a "center axle disconnect" D30.

1. As Will stated you can put a Warn Locking Hub kit on it. The kit contains new outers, spindle and hub. Plus you have to turn the brake rotor center to clear the larger hub/spindle. Details on the install on a YJ D30 are here: http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/yjwarnaxle/ Basically the same for your XJ.

2. The D30 on your XJ has a sealed (i.e. non-servicable) hub/spindle combination. Sounds like one of your hub/spindles has a bad bearing. They are about $140 or so. If you have the spindles/hub out be sure to check the ball joints and axle U-joints while you are in there.

3. The only other bearings are the main diff bearings and the pinion bearing. If not the hub/spindles I would check these next.

Good luck!

Lawrence

[ July 03, 2003, 04:04 AM: Message edited by: 2ndtimearround ]

[Sitting Bull]

Just got the call - $880!!!

YYEEEOOOUUCCHHH!!!!!

[2ndtimearround]

That hurts -- could almost put a D44 under for that money...

So what was the problem?

Lawrennce

[Sitting Bull]

You hit the problem on number 3 on your first post!

[Will Morris]

Sorry Brad, that's a bummer. I've never heard of those going with so few miles on an axle, since as a '97 I'm assuming it doesn't have 200k. The majority of that cost is no doubt due to the labor expense of setting up the ring and pinion once the bearings have been replaced. I'd definitely look to see if there was some sort of contamination like metal shavings or sand or something that would've eaten up the bearings just so that this doesn't happen again.

Will

[2ndtimearround]

Will is right, but the price bothers me.

It should be about 4 hours for a ring and pinion setup. I would then add an hour for removal of the front inner axles, outers and hubs; and an hour for seal replacement. Thats 6 hours.

A D30 low pinion master rebuild kit runs about $100 or so. Add $10 for fluid.

Did the bearing take the differential carrier with it? If so add another $100. That gives $660.00 with a labor rate of $75/hour.

Where is that other $220 going?

Lawrence

[ July 03, 2003, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: 2ndtimearround ]