Front Diff upgrade? Want to keep IFS

epimethius05 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:43 pm

I'm still a 4wheeling newbie and am not sure what my options are for my 06 CRD Limited.
There is a growling (wub wub wub) noise coming from the front of my jeep related to the wheel speed. Its present at all speeds accelerating/decelerating, straight line and turning and is loudest at about 30mph. The stealership and my local goodyear are stumped as to what it is. Mileage= 67,000

Since the noise started, I've replaced the wheel bearing(knuckle assembly) and (L) lower ball joint; installed the JBA 2.5" lift w/ gen 4.5 A-arms (bilstein coil over 7100 struts) in front; added new wheels and tires (16" Moabs w/ Goodyear 245/75R16's) and performed a front end alignment. I now suspect the noise is the Diff Axle Bearings/Axle shaft bearings.

I figured since I'm going to do the labor on the diff I may as well upgrade it but I dont want to spend $1500 for the JBA steel dana 30. Add an air/electric locker or limited slip and it will be well over $2500.

What is my best option for an upgrade? Is it possible to keep the IFS with a Dana 44?
If anyone else has had a similar problem or a guru wants to chime in please do.

Thanks,
John

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:21 pm

Lots of things it could be yet
not sure on how many miles you have or what else you have done
but
bearings
CVs/ Intermediate shaft
Front driveshaft
brakes

and if you have deep pockets anything is possible
But if you think the JBA steel diff is too much then trying to add a 44 and have it IFS will be a lot more $$
Best bet is to find the problem you have and repair it :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:59 pm

The JBA steel diff is the only upgrade,and cheapest,unless you spend more $$$ then the JBA steel diff and fab up something else.

twistedunlimited · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:39 pm **Posts:** 16

I have also read some q&a interviews with Jeep engineers and they were implying that the new front axle in the KK Liberty's should be a strong upgrade option.

But, I don't see them around EBay

So they cost about $1200 I think but they are complete with gears and everything of course.

arengant · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:17 pm

Would they even fit in a KJ?

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:24 pm

Maybe, if the cradle is interchangeable. It has not been done yet, at least that I have seen on here.
LOST Ohio thinks it can be done... :lol:

I haven't been under a KK to take measurements etc..

arengant · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:50 pm

Well it would be a for sure no go on crd then!

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:46 pm

arengant wrote:

Well it would be a for sure no go on crd then!

X2

I didn't realize we were dealing with a crd....

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:42 pm

lots of things make noise...

the only real reason to upgrade the front Diff - is if you explode the Aluminum one on a regular basis..... (or you want to run 35"'s)

it's too cheap to get a replacement front from a junkyard.

Pippobug · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:47 am

03CDKJ wrote:

arengant wrote:

Well it would be a for sure no go on crd then!

X2

I didn't realize we were dealing with a crd....

KK are sold with CRD out of the US, so you should be able to fit one, but again one would need to find one out of a KK and even over here in the UK KK are scarse you do find a lot more Nitro CRD on the road, would that be the same front axel?

Fil.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:03 pm

Pippobug wrote:

03CDKJ wrote:

arengant wrote:

Well it would be a for sure no go on crd then!

X2

I didn't realize we were dealing with a crd....

KK are sold with CRD out of the US, so you should be able to fit one, but again one would need to find one out of a KK and even over here in the UK KK are scarse you do find a lot more Nitro CRD on the road, would that be the same front axel?

Fil.

You would need the CRD KK's cradle to make it work and that can only be ordered from a country that has CRD KK's,can not order export parts from a state side dealership.That alone would be more then a JBA steel diff after you figure in shipping since a new cradle is about $650 US.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:50 am

Read through this start to finish: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=915987 Then go out to the garage and make it happen on your Liberty.

Front Diff upgrade? Want to keep IFS

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