So I installed a new J.E Reel 1310 D/S on my 07, 2 dr, auto about a week ago. I also set the pinion angle with upper control arms. For the first week I had no issues at all.

Today, after driving for a few hours I started to get a very nasty grinding noise coming from the rear end. When I stopped, the noise stopped. When I got moving again the noise came back, and once I hit about 20 mph I got a very loud high pitch whine that that almost sounded like an alarm going off. Now, whenever i put the vehicle in drive that grinding noise immediately returns. Any idea on what this may be? Its pretty loud and sounds very bad.

HELP!

 

So I just checked the rear diff and its pretty hot. Almost to hot to touch. A buddy of mine seems to think the gears may be shot. He said to pull the cover and check everything out. He also said that rotating the pinion angle may have shifted the fluid and caused the front bearing to overheat and fail. Any thoughts?

 

I have regeared several jeeps and I don't think it is a problem with the diffs running hotter. Indeed it will burn your fingers if you managed to keep it on long enough. As long as you are using good diff oil I don't think there is a problem.

Referring to rotating the diff to correct the fluid level........ I don't think this will change the level much a red herring in my opinion. You will know it if when the bearings fail

I would say keep an eye on it, and change the oil and if you find excessing filings than.............

 

Anyone? Im thinking pinion bearing. Anybody done this before?

 

You tightened the pinion bearing to tight, now its shot. Stop driving it and replace the bearings.

 

Thanks, thats kinda what I was thinking. Any idea on how to do it? The question is Im thinking about regearing, if the bearing has to be replaced...im assuming now would be a good time to regear.

 

I cant remember what the preload was, but I know the final Tq on the nut was 180 ft-lbs

 

I can not offer advice, but this is why I have not installed the F/R Coast drive shafts sitting in my shed, myself. Going to wait till I can afford to regear next summer if my stock ones last that long.

 

Not necessarily, your looking at about 60 bucks in parts and 2 hours in labor to repair. To do gear change 6 to 7 hundred in parts and 8 to 10 hours in labor.

 

Hey did you re-install the stock pinion dust cap, I know when i did my drive shafts, I re-installed the pinion dust cap and it squeeled like hell, took me a bit to figure it out, after i removed it no noise now. hope this helps

sean