Brought my Jeep into dealership for a TSB issue, regarding a "Squeal-Like Sound From Front Axle Pinion Gear Flange And Seal" on 2007 Wranglers, which they claim to have addressed.

After claiming to address the TSB, I was informed that a tech heard noises coming from the rear axle also. I was later informed that the diagnosis was two bent rear axle shafts. They qouted me nearly nine hundo to replace with stock shafts...I declined the offer.

Took my Jeep home & pulled shafts which are shown here:



I inspected the axles for signs of "bentness", i.e. irregular wear patterns at splines, races, bearings, etc. as I suspect that most damaged mechanical parts would show signs of damage.

I did not see any unusual signs of wear on either shaft. I did, however, find that the brake pads, that this same dealership replaced last fall as part of a rear rotor and pad replacement, was missing the clips that fit between the pads and housing on one of the rear driver side pads.

I have read that this missing component can cause noise. I have a call into the dealership to have them provide me with the clip.

My question is:

Do you think my approach to examining the shafts is sound and would allow me to make a proper diagnosis or should I go further, i.e. bring them to a shop and have them check for "trueness"?

 

Take a 6 foot level ( or something you know for a fact is DEAD straight) and hold it to the shaft.

Go around the entire shaft... no gap in the level, no bend.

 

The easiest way to check for a bent rear axle shaft is to spin it while still installed, and look for run-out at the flange. If the wheel is straight, do the check with it installed, too. Run-out will be more apparent at the greater diameter.

 

Giddy Up! I'll give those a whirl. Thanks.

 

I agree.

And you are correct in telling them no way for $900 for stock shafts we sell chromoly aftermarket shafts for 550

 

May have to give you a call. Are the bearings, tone ring etc already pressed on? If not what is the charge to replace those components?

 

Yes sir everything is pressed on .

David

 

Put a dial indicator on the flange of both axles while they were installed and spun the axles.

Results:

Run Out on Driver's Side: .007 in.

Run Out on Passenger's Side: .03 in.


Do these numbers have any value regards determining "bentness"? Did not see any real swaying from side to side when I spun them.

 

That's not much of a bend. Did you check for run out with the wheels installed? Could you have bent wheels?

 

I can't find a spec for the Jeep JK.
A google search shows other axles of similar design have a max allowable flange runout in the 0.004" to 0.008" range.
Runout at the flange is amplified at the tire outside diameter.