'98 TJ 6-cyl, all stock, dana35:
My rear diff is making a loud whining sound at all speeds, particularly when coasting (when clutch is disengaged) and appears to be getting worse. My daughter commented this AM on the way to school it sounds like a jet plane reving its engines. Can hardly hear the radio anymore. Interestingly, the sound disappears when making a right turn and gets worse making a left turn. Took the diff plate off to drain and clean the housing. All gears look good, but the carrier is real loose. There is little side-to-side movement but I can move it up and down with my hand quite a bit. In fact, the carrier bearings are loose to the point I can move them with my finger. I'm assuming the carrier bearings are shot. Anyone agree? If so, is this a DIY job? Seems I'd have to pull the axles out, remove the carrier bearing housings, pull the whole carrier out and simply replace the bearings. Is this so?