Hey all,
I am really new to the Jeep world, so help me out please.
Spent the weekend mostly in 4L at a mud hole, and it seems to me that my front differential may be noisier than it should be. Not real bad, but noticeable. I also have some play in the gears, noticeable by hand rotating the front driveshaft, about 10 degrees I'd guess.

2 questions,
Is it normal to have some play and noise?

If I do need to rebuild, what would be a good upgrade without going crazy.

Thanks,


Bill
BillPruittPhotography.com

after spending time in the mud its a good idea to change the fluid.

The play sounds normal, and are you sure the noise you were hearing wasn't just the normal wine from the transfer case being in 4low?

Check all your fluids in your T-case, tranny and diffs.

Some play is normal, I wouldn't call 10 degrees bad, especially if you installed a locker.

Theres no upgrades that are available for the front axle that are cheap. Fronts by nature due to steering, diff drop and knuckles/hubs etc are very expensive. If you aren't running a tire larger then 35" or planning too, I would stick with what you have and upgrade that.

Play you describe is normal. Are you sure the noise isn't caked on mud in the wheels causing your tires/wheels to become out of balance?

I agree with what Black sheep said its hard to upgrade an axle without going crazy, if you are looking to upgrade the axle you could do set of alloy axles and a inexpensive locker but then you have to think about gears, seals, and bearings so it can get kinda expensive. A few options for ya-

1. Lock right or Aussie About $220 and up

2. Selectable locker about $600 and up

3. Locker & alloy axles $1400 and up

Then if you do gears and everything you need to do the rear too and it get more "crazy" so its best if you are going to upgrade do it right the first time.
Hope this help some and like everyone said to change your fluid check and see if you need to start repairing anything you should be able to get a good idea just by looking.

thanks everyone,
So some play is normal, and the transfer case has a "normal whine". All good.
On upgrading, if I had to rebuild it, then it would be a good time, otherwise I have so much to learn and can put off the urge to wrench on it for a while.

I got it to get me around better to take pictures at mudholes, but it sure is fun out there.

I'll change the fluids soon. Not sure when the previous owner did it last anyway. I read that it takes special fluid for limited slip differentials. Any brand names/weights I should go for?

Thanks!

thanks everyone,
So some play is normal, and the transfer case has a "normal whine". All good.
On upgrading, if I had to rebuild it, then it would be a good time, otherwise I have so much to learn and can put off the urge to wrench on it for a while.

I got it to get me around better to take pictures at mudholes, but it sure is fun out there.

I'll change the fluids soon. Not sure when the previous owner did it last anyway. I read that it takes special fluid for limited slip differentials. Any brand names/weights I should go for?

Thanks!

You get mud and water in them THAT is why you change it after muddin.