Dana 44 with 3.31's

[The Wagprocrastinator]

I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. What causes a rearend to lock up. The jeep I'm going to buy had the rearend lock up this weekend. How much does this cost to fix? How hard of a job is it to do myself. I might have a new complete axle but not sure yet what gearing (can't find tag). Thanks for your help.
Rick

[FSJ Thing]

Check your other post in the general discussion!! I know that more people have had this problem than me, I wonder why nobody else is chiming in?

[The Wagprocrastinator]

I've been thinking the same thing. There are some of ther real knowledgable guys on now too. I'm sure they chime in soon. I just want to try and fiqure out a fair price on the jeep.

[River Beast]

Busted spiders can do alot of damage.... you can prolly get an enitre axle for cheaper than rebuilding locked up one...

[FSJ Thing]

Yup, especially in the rear. A front axle would be a different story.

[Don in Missouri]

I had some bolts back out of a ring gear once. The bolt heads wore a groove inside the housing until a couple of them got all the way out of their holes. Two or three bounced around loose. When moving slow in a parking lot a bolt got jammed in the gears and brought the vehicle to a stop. Backing up freed the bolt. When I took it apart, the gears looked OK, so I reassembled it. A few months later teeth started coming off the gears. I guess they had been stressed. I quit driving it and rebuilt it before it locked up that time. That's just one story. I know there are many others.

A used axle is a better option that rebuilding one. That is unless you can't find 3.31s or if you want to put in a locker anyway.