how difficult and time consuming is this? i know there's a lot of precise work to be donr in getting everything set up right once you pull it all out, but is it worth ripping everything apart or would it be cheaper/easier to just replace the axle itself?
the reason i'm asking is i found that the pinion shaft has some side to side and up and down play inside the carrier (not rotational play, actual up/down, side/side) and has started to make noise when driving. my only problem here is that the availability of 8.25's with 4.10 gearing is dismal at best, so it would be cheaper to replace what i've got than try to get a whole new axle... i guess in the end i'm lookin for opinions on how to go about fixing this problem?
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1993 Green xj 4x4 -2.5l -ax5 -chrysler 8.25 -279,000 on the clock and counting
To get to the pinion you have to take the entire carrier out. This means pulling both shafts, removing carrier caps, etc. etc. That in itself it not a hard job.
HOWEVER...
Unfortantly the 8.25" sets the preload with a threaded carrier cap/unit. So to set the preload on the gears you need a special tool to do that. You'll also need a way to press the bearing off of your pinion gear.
So long story short; the 8.25" axle is a difficult axle to work on even for us who know how to work on axle's. Requires several special tools etc. If you had a 29 spline 8.25" I'd say have at it; but the 27 spline 8.25" isn't that special of an axle and for the cost associated with getting the special tools I think you'd be better off paying someone to do it, or upgrading your axle.
Find a local shop and have them quote you (in writing) the cost to change the bearing out. The bearing itself is cheap; so anything over $30 would be labor.
yeah, i kinda figured, and the cheapest 8.25 i've found around here is 520 bucks.. not so much my cup of tea. i was contemplating seeing how much for someone to do it, but i gotta get the buick running first in that case, considering i'm halfway through an engine swap.
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1993 Green xj 4x4 -2.5l -ax5 -chrysler 8.25 -279,000 on the clock and counting
Hmmm.... what about the pinion seal? Does it have to be all ripped apart for that? My 8.25 needs a seal, otherwise it's working well (for an open diff) Matt
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My Fleet 1996 XJ "Snowball"- 3.5" lift, bunch of little mods. I hate pegleg rear axles! 1974 AMC Javelin "Jade Grenade"- 360v8, 4sp, green inside and out. Underfunded Project. 2009 Kawsaki Vulan 900 "Rocket III"- Summer DD