Front end noise, help please

[Grippy]

OK, had a chance to rip the front cover off again, the oil looked nice and clean, although in the sunlight I could see some tiny glistening, like metallic paint on a car but much much finer. So it seems to me it's eating a bearing somewhere.
Bearing kit is 114 bucks delivered on Rockauto and a bit of time, or I am waiting for an answer back on a local axle, same ratio.

What would you do? Dive in and change the bearings, or swap whole axles?
If the price is good I might do the whole axle, but then I don't know what I'm getting.
I have read the WJ Super 30 axle has similar pinion setup to Ford 9", easy to set up, leave the shims where they came off, change bearings and torque her up to crush the sleeve, checking pinion torque as ya go to get it in to spec and the rest falls in to place. Seems easy enough........or easy enough to cock up too

[Grippy]

So I snapped some pics of the gears while it was open, do they look alright or too chewed to continue?

[Alexski]

Hey Grippy, how did you go?

I'm chasing the same issue. Been to 2 diff specialists 1st one says Pinion bearing, 2nd said Pinion gear.
I was about to order new Pinion and ring gear kit, plus master bearing kit for dana 30 about $475 from rockauto. Only problem there is 2 types listed for WJ's
How can you tell if the WJ front Dana 30 is short pinion type or "Super 30"
Also from my vin it appears the 2000 4.7 ltd has 3.73 gears.

[Grippy]

Hi mate.
I am ripping into it next weekend, inch lb torque wrench rocked up this week luckily.
I have the bearing kit from Rockauto, only 150 delivered, and quick delivery, ordered Friday night, here on Tuesday.
The WJ all have the Super 30 up front. I'd do the bearings first, see if that fixes it.
Take the front plate off and check the condition of the oil and gears, they might be alright, some places will just try to over diagnose problem s to bring in more work

Sent from under my Grand Cherokee

[Alexski]

Ive had the Oil changed twice on the front diff. My WJ Limited was basically a "Garage find" i bought for $2200 with blue slip 125000km only.
We found the front diff was Milky "water contaminated" also the vehicle had been parked up for 3 years by previous owner.
So whilst it isn't leaking oil i'm getting a fair bit of whining, its also got a 2in lift which i know tends to put pressure on the pinion bearing. So rather than just spend $700 getting Pinion and bearing done i'd rather order the parts myself for $500 and get the whole thing overhauled another $400 labour.

I've already done the usual "normal" WJ repairs.
A/C Blend doors $100 kit from US. labor nil (myself)
2 front tweeters $40 , easy
2 x electric windows $150 for both !! of ebay new - labor me
Heater core flush $20
Recirculation door removal (fix no airflow) cost nil
Bonnet & boot struts , full car kit $60 ebay
Engine oil change , plus all filters $200
Xfer case oil change $200
Differentials front & rear oil change $200
Electric seat repair - myself cost nil but had some spares

[Grippy]

Have you taken the front shaft out to see if it quietens up, mines silent without it
Yeah milky oil will chew the bearings quickly I reckon.
The bearing kits only 150 delivered, so ya have nothing to lose, although you will need a inch lb torque wrench too. I'd do the bearings if the gears look alright still, no point changing them and going through the big pain in the ass of setting them up if you don't have to. From what I've read, bearing noise is quite common with he Dana 30's, the chew pinion bearings alot. I have been nervous about ripping into the diff, but have read a ton about it and now looking forward to it.
I just hope it goes smoothly (rarely does) and stops the freaking noise, otherwise next step is a Jerry can and a match!

Sent from under my Grand Cherokee