02 KJ with 8.25" rear end making whiring noise??

[Stinky_1]

I have aquired a 2002 KJ liberty. From the start it has made a "whiring" noise at various speeds. I find it gets loudest at about 60 km/h. And then it gets less anoying at higher speeds. But it never totally goes away.

I am guessing that its something in the rear diff. But at this point I have no idea what I should be looking for. Is this a common problem? My vehicle has just about 200,000 km on the odo (sorry I am canadian I dont know miles). So its high. But if anyone has had a similar experience then I would love to hear about it. Or any pointers and tips of any sort.

Also, when I switch to 4 hi and then put it back in to 2wd I find it does not always dissengage. The light goes off. But it keeps it in 4wd mode.

Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated.

 

[AZKJ]

I had the same problem with my wife's 2006 KJ with 16,000 miles on the meter. They replaced the entire rear end under warranty. Check out this thread I posted last June.

Good luck getting yours repaired as it will only get worse....

 

[JeepJeepster]

It usually takes a few for the tcase to change modes.

A 'whirring' sound is normal depending on the type of whir it is. Every jeep Ive never gotten in whirred when you let off the gas and coasted, but if its doing it all the time then its probably something else.

 

[Stinky_1]

Hey AZ, thanks for the tip and the link. I was trying to find threads like that but I guess I was using the wrong key words in my search. Thank you for the patience to answer me. You too Jeep.

I am going to guess that your problem is exactly the same as what my problem currently is. Your description of what it was doing is almost dead on the money for mine as well. And it confirms what I was suspecting as the problem.

Now for my new problem.....

Is the rear end ONLY from a KJ, or are there other jeeps that would have the same "guts" in the rear diff? My local wrecker has a small collection of jeeps. And if I knew which ones were compatible I could hit them up and save a bundle. Otherwise I will have to start phoning around to try and find a different wrecker that WONT ask for my left nut in exchange for a complete rear end.

Any help is greatly apreciated.

 

[2003KJ]

Hey AZ, thanks for the tip and the link. I was trying to find threads like that but I guess I was using the wrong key words in my search. Thank you for the patience to answer me. You too Jeep.

I am going to guess that your problem is exactly the same as what my problem currently is. Your description of what it was doing is almost dead on the money for mine as well. And it confirms what I was suspecting as the problem.

Now for my new problem.....

Is the rear end ONLY from a KJ, or are there other jeeps that would have the same "guts" in the rear diff? My local wrecker has a small collection of jeeps. And if I knew which ones were compatible I could hit them up and save a bundle. Otherwise I will have to start phoning around to try and find a different wrecker that WONT ask for my left nut in exchange for a complete rear end.

Any help is greatly apreciated.

The Jeep Cherokee (XJ's....NOT the grand's) have the 8.25 rear in them (for the most part, there are some with Dana's....generally those with ABS), and I believe one from a later model XJ would match up. The only thing about them is they don't have rear disc brakes, but seeing as you have an 02, you shouldn't either. If you could find a 8.25 out of an 03+ KJ, with probably not much work, you could still have an 8.25 rear, and upgrade to disc brakes at the same time idea.gif

 

[Stinky_1]

I have been trying to seach around the net for some more info on the differences of the rears. Am I right when I am under the impression that the Spline count on the axle shafts are different from the KJ and any other jeep model?

So when you are talking about grabbing one from a newer KJ (03+) or cherokee I would be looking at swapping out the axles and the brakes as well?

If I stick within the Liberty family would I be able to just swap out the guts and leave my brakes and axles alone? I have the FSM and was going to look at the procedure to getting the gears and such out. I am guessing I can do it without actually pulling the wheels and the axles out? Similar to a GM rear end?

Again, thank you for the comments so far. I am going from knowing nothing at all about these machines to jumping right in. So I have a lot of catching up to do.eek2dance.gif

 

[JeepJeepster]

97+ Cherokee should be the same. 29spline.

 

[azmotoman]

Typical of Chrysler ANYTHING from 60's and up. Usually requires servicing (at the least) replacement (at the worst)!

 

[JeepJeepster]

Never heard that before. Family has owned many Jeeps(probably over 10) with no whiring problems.

 

[2003KJ]

It's probably just a fluke.....hear of that every now and then.

You should be able to replace just the guts of the axle, with out physically replacing the entire axle. However, I would compare the cost of doing that, to the cost of replacing the entire axle with one from a 2003+ (would get the bonus of disc brakes, like I mentioned earlier).