Ring and pinion bearing install kit for the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle: carrier and pinion bearings, races, seal, shims and ring gear bolts.
A rear end whine that rises and falls with the throttle, a growl that follows road speed, or a pinion seal that keeps leaking on a Dodge Ram 1500, Dakota, Durango, van or older Chrysler car with the 8.25 inch rear axle usually means the bearings are done. Dorman 697-116 is the bearing side of an 8.25 rebuild in one box: two carrier bearings and two pinion bearings with all four races, a pinion seal, pinion nut, crush sleeve, a pack of shims and a full set of 12 ring gear bolts. There are no gears included. Use it to rebuild an axle whose gears still have a good pattern, or as the install kit that goes in with a new ring and pinion.
The pinion rides on two tapered roller bearings, held in a fixed relationship by the crush sleeve and pinion nut, and the carrier spins on two more at the sides of the housing. Together they hold the ring and pinion at the exact depth and backlash they were set to. Once a pinion bearing wears, the pinion can move in and out under load, the contact pattern wanders onto the edge of the teeth, and the whine starts. On the 8.25 the carrier side is set with threaded side adjusters rather than stacked shims, so carrier preload and backlash are dialed in by turning the adjusters, while shims set pinion depth.
Grab the pinion yoke and push it in and out and up and down. Any felt movement means the pinion bearings or preload are gone. Our pinion bearing noise guide and whine on acceleration vs deceleration guide explain which noise points to which bearing. On trucks with a 46RE or 47RE automatic, rule out the transmission with our 46RE noise diagnosis guide. If the gear teeth show pitting or a scuffed pattern, plan on gears too.
This kit is for the Chrysler 8.25 inch rear differential with the 10-bolt cover, cross-referenced to R8.25RJ. The parts catalog application covers Dodge 1969-1999, Chrysler 1971-1989, Plymouth 1969-1989 and Jeep 2002-2010. The 8.25 changed bearing sizes over its long life, and the later Jeep version does not share every bearing with the older Dodge axle, so compare the numbers stamped on your old bearings or cups to this kit before you start, or send us your year and VIN. It does not fit the 9.25 rear or a Dana 35. The Chrysler 8.25 problems and rebuild guide covers identifying the axle, and other axle parts are in the hard parts category.
Gears worn out too? Pair this kit with a Yukon 8.25 ring and pinion set for 2004 and earlier axles, and close the axle with a Hardcore 8.25 cover if it lives off road.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. It contains 2 carrier bearings, 2 pinion bearings, 4 races, a pinion seal, pinion nut, crush sleeve, shims and 12 ring gear bolts. Gears are sold separately.
No. This kit is only for the Chrysler 8.25 inch rear. The 9.25 uses larger bearings and different parts.
No. A crush sleeve is a one-time part. Use the new sleeve from the kit and bring the pinion nut up slowly until preload is 12-15 in-lb with new bearings. If you overshoot, the sleeve has to be replaced again.
The 8.25 uses threaded side adjusters. Back one off and tighten the other the same amount to move the ring gear, aiming for .006-.010 in backlash, then set carrier preload with both adjusters.
The catalog lists Jeep fitment up to 2010, but later Jeep 8.25 axles use different bearings than older Dodge axles. Compare your old bearing numbers to the kit or send us your year and VIN before ordering.
75W-90 gear oil, filled to the bottom of the fill hole, with friction modifier added if the axle has a clutch-type limited slip.
