Is my rear axle bearing shot?

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:35 pm

I have been noticing some clunking coming from the rear of the KJ. When driving over small bumpy terrain (like a grass field) when the rear shifts laterally, there is a bit of a clunk. If i push in the rear quarter of the KJ, just above the fender flare, the body moves, then there is a small clunk, then the rim and tire shift a bit. It seems like maybe the axleshaft is moving inside the axle tube a bit too much.
Could this be caused by a bad axle bearing, or soemthing else????

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:01 pm

Could be a bad balljoint on the upper A-Arm.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:40 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Could be a bad balljoint on the upper A-Arm.

its my rearend, unless you mean the rear balljoint

ISpy · **Posted:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:18 pm

Yes he does. There are rear ball-joints too. Check out all the suspension parts in the rear. I'm sure it must be something there instead of the axle. That seems to usually be the case. Take it to a tire place and have them lift it up and check all the suspension linkages. They found a problem with a torn boot on my upper ball-joint (front) when rotating my tires.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:34 am

Yea, its the joint where the A-Arm connects to the diff. That upper A-arm is really the only thing that keeps the axle from moving 'side to side.' The kj has not type of trac-bar like a zj or the alike has. I took my boot off and clean the joint up real good then pumped it full of grease. Hopefully that will keep it going for many more years.

I test drove an old zj I was thinking about buying once and the rear end moved a good 1-2" when you went around a corner. I got back and told the salesman about it, he told me it was normal. :shock:

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:29 am

Hey Jeepster, is that the pic from when you removed your diff so you could paint it. :lol:

I think mine might be shot, I'm getting a side to side movement when I hit bumps (potholes) at highway speeds. What do you check for, besides a torn boot.

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

The bearings will "howl" when they go bad and get louder the faster you go. If you hear a howl or whine more from one side or the other while turning, it will be one of the wheel bearings. If it howls the same no matter what direction you turn, it will be in the pumpkin.

Is my rear axle bearing shot?

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