Rear Diff, driveline, or axle noise???

[tysongladiator]

Just making this post as an awareness post and maybe it might help someone at the same time.

So, back around October 2024 I did a youtube video about an issue I was having. It was a grinding noise coming from my driveline. I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. I installed video cameras underneath and kinda localized it to the rear diff. Through research, I found out that the rear pinion bearings on the JTs are problematic.

I took it over to my good friend Rob at his shop Rugged Revolutions in Silver Springs, FL that’s close to me. I don’t do diffs, gears, etc. He opened up the rear diff and found a bad pinion bearing. Turns out, two of the ball bearings were missing. So we did more research and we found out that there is an upgrade/replacement roller bearing kit from Timkin that replaces the ball bearings.

Rob ordered a few sets for his shop and that was a good move. I just learned from his FB page that he had another JT in his shop and one of the issues was the rear pinion bearing. He replaced it with the Timkin roller bearing and addressed a driveshaft issue and got the owner’s Jeep back on the road.

I just wanted to make this post so that if anybody is hearing a noise and don’t know what it is, the rear pinion bearing might be something you want to consider. Not saying it is, but it could be. Or if you’re in the Central FL area, just take it over to Rob. www.rugged-revolutions.com

Youtube video:

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[Free2roam]

When would your noise usually happen? I have a slight clicking not grinding while at a basic idle through a parking lot. Say around 10 miles per hour.

 

[Janster]

What year and how many miles?? Obviously, you're outside of the 5/60,000 powertrain warranty.

 

[Free2roam]

Diesel, plus have an extra warranty from factory 8 year 125k currently 67k +-

 

[tysongladiator]

When would your noise usually happen? I have a slight clicking not grinding while at a basic idle through a parking lot. Say around 10 miles per hour.

I don't know about the most recent JT he worked on, but when my issue first started, you could barely hear it. Over time it turned into what sounded like a scraping/grinding noise and you can hear it from takeoff to stop.

I actually had a camera underneath to show the sound in my youtube video.

 

[tysongladiator]

Diesel, plus have an extra warranty from factory 8 year 125k currently 67k +-

My only issue with some (not all) dealerships is that they're doing quick fixes and not properly diagnosing the issues like an offroad shop. And then when they do make a correction/fix, it seems like they half-assing the work. Been there, done that, and learned my lesson. They made a mistake with my pitman arm nut when my JT was under warranty. A mistake that could have cost someone their life.

Like I said.... some dealerships, not all.

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