D35 axle bearings

C.L. "Budd" Cochran · 2010-08-08T05:43:04+00:00

About a year and a half ago I bought an 88 XJ (4.0, Renix, BA-10/5, NP-231, 3.07 axles) with a lot of probs, but I thought, "it's cheap enough and shouldn't cost a lot . . . . ."Yeah, right. So far the cost is over $1500 not counting the purchase price.I replaced the bearings on the D-35 rear axle because of excessive play ... a full 1/4" up, down, back, front, in and out.Pulling the cover (which was tagged "Tru-Trac), I find an open diff and axles without C-clips. Books said there should be C-clips. ?????Pressed on new bearings with the skinny little retainer ring to the flange side like the picture in the Chilton's ( or was it the Haynes?) showed after bashing the retainer plates flat ( both were bowed a bit) and turning them over to put any remaining bulge inward and thus holding the bearing tighter (did all seals at the same time).Now it's 5000 miles later and the bearings have the freeplay back: 1/4" on the right and a little less on the left.What did I do wrong or is the axle another item that's been screwed up by a doofus (the PO or their "mechanic") that should nor be allowed in the same universe as a toolbox?

Aug 08, 2010 23 Replies

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Will Honea 15 years ago

You ain't seen tight until you twist the head completely off with an air wrench! Had to drill that one out and re-thread the hole. I have no idea how they cinched it down that tight without stripping something.

What a mess I made that day.....

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PeterD 15 years ago

Ah, thanks for that laugh! probably also put a thread locker on it too, probably one of the heat removeable Loctite formulas at that.

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PeterD 15 years ago

I'm sure it was a mess, drilling into something that will once you get through, spurt oil all over the fricking drill, floor, and you. Considering that the torque spec is typically about 15 lb/ft, it can surprise you.

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