8.8 whining-took it apart,.now what?

760Noah

New Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2008
Location
Raeford
Hello,
I put a 8.8 in my TJ, and the axled whined a bit. I took it a part to make sure nothing major was messed up, and the oil looked like glitter inside, but almost copper-ish. The oil was about 5K miles old. The flange seems tight, and as I roll the tires they dont seem to bind or anything. What else should I be checking? I dont see any obvious deformity in the ring and pinion..Unfortunately I dont have any of the tools to check backlash and preload.Thank you for any advice, I want to do what I can before i either put it back together and drive it, or put the D35 back in.
 
Is it an open diff or locked?
 
don't put the 35 back. was this a junkyard 8.8 whats the gear ratio. when does it whine. with foot off the gas? ie coast. id look at a pattern. and check the carrier bearings.
 
The 8.8 has the trac loc, or whatever fords L/S is called. It has 3.73 gears.When I bought it, I opened it and all looked well. The ring wear was consistant and the oil didnt look that bad from the junk yard.From the get go it whined faintly when I accelerate, and on coast..When I start out, it almost sounds like a propellor sound, then gets higher pitched as I go faster. It is actually very similar to the sound my 33'' M/T's make.You can hear it while I am in gear, If I go into Nuetral it goes away. I went and bought a dial indicator and a stand just now so I am going to attemp to check my backlash.When I am looking at my gear pattern, what exactly am I looking for? what else am I looking for inside the Diff?
Thanks alot, I dont want to put the 35 back in, but I also dont want to blow/lock up my 8.8 and it my DD.
 
I recently replaced the gears in my 8.8. It had stock 3.55s, the housing bearing on the pinion was completely worn out. The fact that the 8.8 center section is offset makes the pinion bearings wear out quicker than on a centered axle. But i had a similar noise before i changed out the gears, and bearings.
 
That does make sense about the possibility of wearing out pinion bearings due to the off set center section, but the flange doesnt move at all in the pinion, leading me to think that the bearings are ok. I dont have a CV drive shaft and the U joints were new when I put in the axle.I am taking it all apart now to check the outer bearings and everything that I can check without taking it completely out and loosing the gear set up and getting over my head.
I appreciate all the input..Ill do what I feel comfortable with, and then I will reluctantly take it in
 
I have 2'' susp lift and a 1'' BL. I do not have a SYE yet..That is on my short list with adjustable control arms. I replaced the outer axle bearings and seals. They looked pretty pitted.Hopefully that will help.
 
Sounds like pinion bearings. I'm in Fayetteville I could take a look at it for you I work for Hendrick Chrysler Jeep and have a 8.8 that I'm building for someone to go into a 95 YJ.
 
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