[Red1/95ZJ]

Update on my 95 4.0.

Refreshed 85% of my full suspension front and rear, added a rear 2.5in lift and am planning a 2in for the front.

I am hearing grinding from my front diff (Dana 30) and its not short on fluid anymore tho it was for a while under my ownership and N/A for how long before; am currently using 75w 140 and gave it a new pinion seal and differential seal (no leaks).

It sounds like a rattle or grinding from a bearing maybe the wheel hubs?, carrier bearing?
For the wheel hub i installed new 8 months ago then slapped a 2inch spacer on it..

what do you fine folks think?

 

[kg6mov]

How did you do the pinion seal? It's easy to get the preload wrong when swapping those and kill the bearings.

Or they may have already been damaged if it was running around without oil.

Hub bearings don't generally appreciate the extra leverage of a spacer, but I'd still be surprised if they were already toast.

Is the noise more pronounced under power? Coasting? Any change with turns?

 

[Red1/95ZJ]

How did you do the pinion seal? It's easy to get the preload wrong when swapping those and kill the bearings.

Or they may have already been damaged if it was running around without oil.

Hub bearings don't generally appreciate the extra leverage of a spacer, but I'd still be surprised if they were already toast.

Is the noise more pronounced under power? Coasting? Any change with turns?

For the pinion seal i marked it with a paint pen and lined it back up, like you would suspension (the nut.
As for the noise it happens around 45ish; ive also heard it could be the transfer case chain.

 

[kg6mov]

Yeah, marking the nut isn't a great way to do the pinion seal on a crush sleeve axle (it's not really correct on any axle but you're more likely to get away with it on a non-crush sleeve). I'd definitely be suspicious that the pinion bearings are starting to go.

Terrifying that you think it's common to do that on suspension. Those are very different kinds of torque targets.

Which transfer case? If it's one of the 2wd cases you can take the front shaft out to rule out t-case chain. It would also be worth seeing how the noise changes if you drive in 4ft if you have the 242.

 

[Red1/95ZJ]

Yeah, marking the nut isn't a great way to do the pinion seal on a crush sleeve axle (it's not really correct on any axle but you're more likely to get away with it on a non-crush sleeve). I'd definitely be suspicious that the pinion bearings are starting to go.

Terrifying that you think it's common to do that on suspension. Those are very different kinds of torque targets.

Which transfer case? If it's one of the 2wd cases you can take the front shaft out to rule out t-case chain. It would also be worth seeing how the noise changes if you drive in 4ft if you have the 242.

I got the 231 so removing the front driveshaft should let me know if its chain slack or the diff bearings got it.
As for the suspension stuff its whats always worked for me (on suspension) but i was clueless for the pinion seal bolt so YT university had a video that showed someone having success with the method.

Monkey see Monkey do but im always happy to learn stuff so please let me know more.