When driving around with O/D on, where the rpm's are on the lower end. I can here what sounds like a bearing spinning from the transfer case/trans area. It is not constant, and when I let off on the gas it seems to go away.

I have had the sound for awhile, and now have after markets DS's, but can not remember if had with stock shafts.

 

Have the same issue on my 2013 Rubicon Unlimited. Mine is still stock.

 

Will that is good to hear

 

I have the same issue on my rubicon 07. I thought it was because I have a slight leak in my bearing seal but the sound might be another problem after reading this.

 

Very interesting. I just sent this description to my mechanic today,
As a troubleshooting step, I removed the front driveshaft (need a new one anyway). Think that cuts the problem in half.

He's going to drive it on Friday. I'll report back if I learn something.

 

Check your pinion nuts... Don't ask me why I know this..

 

whether they are to tight or loose?

 

How important is it to use new pinion nuts on the tranfer case and axle pinions. I Am going to drop ds off the transfer case and see if there is any play, then use old nut and tourqe to 135 ft. Lbs. Two new nuts for trans case are around 28.00....Can i reuse old ones and more red locktite.

 

Update: Here are some pics of my front and rear DC ujoints. The heavier band of grease is from my new DS. I have around 3000 miles on new DS's and the thinner is from old. The rear has really not any grease. Just wondering if the bearing sound I described could be the DC ujoint instead of my transfer case bearing.

It is not a constant sound and goes away when I get off the skinny pedal. I am going to remove the front DS Friday(if not raining) and clean up the slung grease, remove the front transfer case flange nut, apply more red locktite and retourqe to 135 ft. lbs to be sure it is tight and see what happens.

I, just want to know what you think?

 

Mechanic (aka brother in law) says that one of the noises I'm hearing is the rear wheel bearings. He put it up on the lift and spun the tires by hand while I listened. Sounded horrible. Recommended I replace them ASAP. He acknowledged two other noises (clunk from rear going from reverse to drive; and the noise described above). Both in the rear as the front driveshaft was out. Could be slop in the driveshaft, rear pinion, and/or transfer case. May be more than one problem. Will take further troubleshooting but rear bearings are the priority right now.

Just empty every pocket. Had him put on the Adams front driveshaft. Need tires too. Ugh.