Any Dana 35 experts?

[wn1998]

I have had a bearing "roar" in my dana 35 (98 grand cherokee with abs) for the last year. This weekend I brought it in for brakes and my mechanic said it was was a relatively easy fix.

He said new bearings (not carrier bearings) would solve the problem. He pulled the shafts replaced the bearings however the noise was still there.....

He told me with the jeep on jacks tands you can hear the noise coming from the passenger side axle tube and thinks there may be too much play in the passenger side axle shaft?

I just don't want to throw money at a problem hoping it solves the problem. This is a mechanic who works for the city and does side jobs out of his garage. He is a great mechanic however, this is the first time we have run into an issue and it wasn't what he thought it was.

What are your thoughts?

 

[demarpaint]

He said it was an easy fix, you paid him, now his fix didn't work and he wants more money? If that's in fact the case, what's wrong with this picture? If he said his fix "might work", that's a different story. Sorry if I came across the wrong way, but I get tired of paying people twice for a job real fast. As I mentioned if he said it might work that's a totally different story, then at least you'd have known it could be a different part and cost you more if he had to do more work. JMO

 

[wn1998]

demar, I fully understand your point. I also understand he isn't a big shop and over the last 3-4 years he typically charges 1/2 of what book time charges. A pretty substantial savings.

I am just trying to see if there is any chance the axle shaft may be the culprit. I found one in a junkyard for $70 but I just don't see how anything could have happened to my current shaft as I drive the jeep very easy and it has never been offroad.

 

[229]

We have found it difficult to replace the axle bearings on this model without damaging the axle. We replace the axle and bearing. You have gotten more mileage out of your's than most. If it leaked and you run it low then the center chunk may need attention also.

 

[Zaedock]

I don't know if you would call me an "expert", but I know a lot about Jeeps and axles. That said, the Dana 35 in your Grand is a C-clip axle and as such, the axleshaft itself, is the inner race of the bearing. If the wheel bearing was bad enough to cause a bad noise, the shaft should have been inspected and/or replaced if needed. He should have inspected the carrier bearings as well as the pinion bearing. The good thing about the C-clip 35, is that if the carrier bearing is bad, it's not hard to replace and 99% of the time, resetting the gears is not needed as the shims are on the outside of the bearing cap.

Send me a PM if it comes down to replacing the shafts. I can send you some links to aftermarket axle shafts that will be stronger than stock and cheaper too - probably much cheaper than what your mechanic can get OEM.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: 229
We have found it difficult to replace the axle bearings on this model without damaging the axle.


That's odd, I find C-clip axle bearings quite easy to remove/install (like millions of GM A and G body 10 bolts).

 

[229]

Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: 229
We have found it difficult to replace the axle bearings on this model without damaging the axle.


That's odd, I find C-clip axle bearings quite easy to remove/install (like millions of GM A and G body 10 bolts).


Easy to remove the axle but the bearing is too close to the flange to easily get a puller behind it. Torch will ruin it. If cut-off wheel nicks the axle then it is a weak point that should be trashed since you do not want a wheel to come off.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: 229
Easy to remove the axle but the bearing is too close to the flange to easily get a puller behind it. Torch will ruin it. If cut-off wheel nicks the axle then it is a weak point that should be trashed since you do not want a wheel to come off.


You need the right puller. No need to cut and/or torch.
The puller I have fit's perfectly and has never failed.


I think I saw a cool write up somewhere on easier extraction....let me see if I can find it.

 

[Zaedock]

Oh....another trick is to run a small MIG bead on the race. When the weld cools, the race contracts and almost comes out with your fingers. You just have to be careful not to zap it to the housing.

 

[229]

I would like a link to a puller that would work cause we cannot get the axle to fit on our shop press as there is not enough room for the plates. I have a pair of axles we removed for leaking but not noise off a model like your's with 99K miles. I would sell it for less than what you found if there is a way to safely replace the bearing.

 

[Jarlaxle]

NAPA has a repair bearing...no need for a new axle. It moves the bearing to an undamaged section of axleshaft.

 

[mattd]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
NAPA has a repair bearing...no need for a new axle. It moves the bearing to an undamaged section of axleshaft.


much like the ford 8.8s.