rear end setup help

[bails85]

ok so i found out the rear end in my grand is bad. just wondering if any of u guys have ever rebuilt ur rear ends and give me some pointers. id like to do it my self and save some money. i heard its a mf to do. any one who knows how up for teaching me?

[Shadly1]

What went bad? If you're dealing with a D35, I'd HIGHLY recommend replacing it with something better. You may even save money doing it that way. My 8.8 swap was in the neighborhood of $400 in all and I ended up with a much stronger rearend, disc brakes and an LSD.

[bails85]

it has a d44a in it. i dont want to swap for an 8.8 because of the fab work and welding. i just want to fix mine. i believe its thge bearings. axles havbe some play in them and the rear end is howling.

[Jerry Bransford]

WJ D44 axles have a history of going bad. For sure in '99 but the problem may not be limited to just '99. My wife's '99 Grand D44a was rebuilt twice under warranty by the dealer and it might have even been three times before we traded it in on a 2002 Grand that did not have the problem.

Bearings aren't too bad to replace but I seem to recall the dealer had to replace the ring & pinion gears at least once if not twice. Replacing bearings is one thing, replacing the R&P gears is quite another.

[bails85]

its a 96 with a 5.2 v8 in it. ken (the jeep guy online) looked it over. he thinks its the bearings. pinon axle and wheel. we havent cracked it opened yyet to see if there is any other damage. but i would like to save some dough. which is why i want to do it myself. i know that there are guys here who have set up rear ends before that why i was looking for some input. if anyone would like to help me do it ill buy lunch beer and parts.

[Lumpy Grits]

ok so i found out the rear end in my grand is bad. just wondering if any of u guys have ever rebuilt ur rear ends and give me some pointers. id like to do it my self and save some money. i heard its a mf to do. any one who knows how up for teaching me?

HI, do you have a dial indicator that reads to .001 in. with a magnetic base ? What about a bearing press and a torque wrench ?
Respectfully,
LG

[Ol Man]

Randy's Ring and Pinion has the instructions, tools and parts you can buy:

http://www.ringpinion.com/

[bails85]

lg i have a dial indicator and access to a torque wrench. but no bearing press.

[bails85]

ol man what do i look under.

[mrchips]

To do it right you will need a "SPREADER", and If you have never set up gears before, don't even attempt to,,,,, pay someone, it will be well worth your time and $$.

[Lumpy Grits]

To do it right you will need a "SPREADER", and If you have never set up gears before, don't even attempt to,,,,, pay someone, it will be well worth your time and $$.

X2

I watched 2 complete R&P setups being done, plus taking notes BEFORE doing mine and a few others over the years.
Go and watch one starting from "scratch" and then you will know IF this is for you.
Respectfully,
LG

[Jerry Bransford]

Few people attempting to do their own gears the first time have any idea what they are getting into. Reading the instructions is one thing, setting the pinion depth, interpreting the pattern, and then knowing how to change the shims around to get the right pattern which involves installing/removing the bearings repeatedly plus getting the backlash set correctly is something else entirely.

[Materdaddy]

I think a big problem for a lot of people is time. If you have a few weeks to do the first one, you might be better off.

What most people do:

1. Read a little bit
2. Start working on it
3. Hit a snag
4. Give up and pay somebody to do it

What people (who are more likely to succeed do):

1. Read a LOT
2. Start working on it
3. Hit a snag
4. Ask a question to somebody who knows what they're doing (via Internet? phone?) If it's Internet, expect up to 3 days without a response that's specific to your question.
5. Go back to step 3 about four dozen times
6. Finish!

I helped (well, mostly just watched) a partial install where time became too much of a factor, so we gave up and it was taken to a driveline shop.

I have a rear D44 that I'm still waiting to start on, even though I've got plenty of time to work on it I'm still intimidated. I have a dial indicator w/ .001 accuracy & mag base. I have a pinion depth meter. I have an inch-pound needle-type torque wrench with a memory needle. I have a regular torque wrench. Just about the only thing I don't have to do the install are the gears, bearings, install kit, etc.) and the experience. (I also don't have a bearing press, but I plan on buying extra bearings and honing out a set for "install bearings" and having a shop press on the final ones.

[Ol Man]

ol man what do i look under.

Click on technical help

[lakev2]

Setting up gear sets takes practice, time, and tools.

If its a daily driver, I definitely don't recommend attempting your first one on it.

If its a trail only rig, and you can take the time to do it 3-4 times over, it could be a good learning experience.

If you get into it and need help feel free to pm me, I have enough experience setting them up to be comfortable giving advise on it.