So I was rotating the tires on my 88 XJ this eve and decided to inspect the brakes. So I notice a good bit of fluid/ooze coming from around the paasenger side axle seal. Its a D35 with 3:55 gearing Im thinking. Also a good bit of fluid is gathered around the pinion seal. I did a total brake job on the rear 5k miles ago. My delimma is this. Do I go to pull a part and look for an 8.25 or do I repair this D35? Will my brake components off my 35 fit the 8.25 or are the shoes/drums wider? I would like to upgrade the gearing to a 4:10 setup also. From the looks of it Ima have to do something soon or that fluid will be on my brakes and they will be shot too. It is my plans to go to a 35" tire when i get new tires. Im not a serious wheeler I mostly drive her to work and hunt out of her. Thougjts and suggestions please.

 

All depends on speeding allowance . Replace bearing and seal around 50 buck and a little elbow grease. Or 150.00 plus complete axle swap to 8.25 . Upgrading to 410s for future build very hard to fing factory ones from 97 and newer 4cyl xj, its very costly for a full regear of existing axles.

 

Im very confident I can pull off repairing my D35 here at home. Im assuming I should do both sides while im in there? Any reccomendations on what brand of parts to buy?

 

Just get them from reputable auto parts store best bet. And doing both side would be good idea since other sides just as old.

 

For time sake I think Ill go tomorrow and try to locate parts to repair my D35. And then comb junkyards later.

 

Napa had mine on the shelf Get bearings and seal . Also need die grinder big hammer and chisel. Also slide hammer to change the race in the housing. Watch this....

 

After this gotta get new ones pressed on axles. Or this way also works.....http://www.justanswer.com/classic-ca...ress-ford.html

 

Thanks for the info. So my parts list would include 2 axle bearings and seals, pinion seal and a new u joint. And of course fluid and rtv. Anything else?

 

Why pinion seal and u joint you got other issues ? Axles just pull out ? Gear oil change would be your call. Just check level when done if fluids clean fill and drive it like ya stole it ...lol...

 

Junkyard axles can be hit or miss. Maybe they are bad or bent, or on their way out. If your D35 only needs seals I would do that rather than swap unless you know the replacement axle is good. You may want to pop the cover off and pull the differential itself and check the bearings before you make a decision.

If you are going to upgrade your tire size, the usual factoring is up to 30" tire, stock 3.55/3.73 are fine, for 31 use 4.10, for 33 use 4.56, ... Though some people who don't drive fast and like the extra gearing for off roading go deeper and say 4.56's on 31's are great. If you do change your gearing, you should remove your front driveshaft until you re-gear the front axle. Re-gearing is not cheap and takes some special knowledge for proper setup (dial indicator, etc.)

 

Yes pinion seal could stand being replaced but its not too bad. I thought axles had C clips on them?

 

Ok with some research I dont know if my axle is a C clip or bolt in. Gotta do aome checking.

 

If theres 4 bolts around axle flange you have a factory rear with out c clip. Not the axle failure prone c clip model. This is axle you should have non c clip

 

Just checked and it is a bolt in axle. Which eases my mind a lil about the whole "C" clip issue. Also these bearings and seals should be much easier to change. Thanks for the help guys