USA Standard Bearing Kit For Dana 44HD
A ZJ or WJ Grand Cherokee with the Dana 44HD rear that has started to hum at 50 mph, or one that is getting new gears for bigger tires, needs four fresh tapered bearings before anything else. The USA Standard Gear ZBKD44HD kit is that set for the 1996-2004 Grand Cherokee 44HD: Koyo carrier bearings and races, Koyo inner and outer pinion bearings and races, a pinion seal, a pinion nut, a new crush sleeve, gear marking compound and a brush. It is a bearing kit rather than a master overhaul kit, so it suits a builder who already has the shims sorted and wants a lower-cost box of bearings.
The 44HD is the heavier-duty Dana 44 rear Chrysler fitted to some Grand Cherokees, built in an aluminum center housing rather than the cast iron of older Dana 44s. Inside, the pinion turns on a large head bearing next to the gear and a smaller tail bearing near the yoke, clamped together through a collapsible crush sleeve to a set rotating preload. The carrier rides on two more tapered bearings, and the shims behind them place the ring gear against the pinion. That geometry only holds while all four bearings are tight. Once the rollers and races wear, the pinion climbs and drops under load, backlash opens up, and the tooth contact drifts toward the edges. The result is noise first and chipped teeth later. Replacing the bearings restores the fixed positions the gears were cut to run in.
Road test at the speed where the noise is worst and note whether it shows on acceleration, on deceleration or both. Our acceleration versus deceleration whine guide explains how each pattern points at pinion bearings, carrier bearings or the gears themselves, and the carrier bearing noise guide covers telling a diff bearing from a wheel bearing or tire noise. On a lift, pull the driveshaft, spin the pinion by hand and feel for roughness. A pattern check with the cover off finishes the diagnosis.
ZBKD44HD is listed for the Dana 44HD rear in 1996-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, described by the maker as the aluminum-housing 44HD with Koyo bearings and standard ring gear rotation. Grand Cherokees in those years were also built with other rear axles, so confirm you have the 44HD by the axle tag or housing casting before ordering; our axle code guide shows where to look. The later WK, XK and Wrangler JK Dana 44 rears use different kits. If you are not sure, send us your year and VIN. If you would rather run Timken bearings in the same axle, compare the Yukon BK D44HD bearing install kit. All of our axle and transmission kits are in the rebuild kits section.
There are no pinion depth shims, carrier shims, ring gear bolts or cover gasket in this kit. Keep the original shim packs in order, measure them, and plan on RTV or a new gasket for the cover. Pull the old carrier bearing cones with a clamshell carrier bearing puller so the carrier journals are not scored, and drive the new races fully home in the housing and carrier bores. Yukon's published chart for the Dana 44HD lists 15-20 inch-pounds of pinion preload with new bearings, 0.006-0.011 in backlash for a five-cut gear set, and 80 ft-lb on the bearing caps. Crush the new sleeve slowly and stop to check rotating torque often; if you go past spec, the sleeve has to be replaced, not backed off, as our crush sleeve guide explains. Seal the cover, then fill with 75W-90 gear oil, or 75W-140 for towing, adding friction modifier only if the axle has a clutch-type limited slip. If you installed new gears with the bearings, follow the ring and pinion break-in procedure. A steel Dana 44HD cover is worth a look if the stock cover has been dented on rocks.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | ZBKD44HD |
| Fits | USA Standard Bearing Kit For Dana 44HD |
| Type | Bearings |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is listed for the Dana 44HD rear axle in 1996-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ and WJ). Not every Grand Cherokee of those years has the 44HD, so check the axle tag or send us your year and VIN.
Koyo tapered carrier and pinion bearings with matching races. If you prefer Timken, the Yukon BK D44HD kit covers the same axle.
No. The kit has carrier and pinion bearings with races, pinion seal, pinion nut, crush sleeve, marking compound and a brush. Reuse your measured shims or buy a shim set, and reuse the ring gear bolts only if they are in good condition.
Yes. Old bearings have worn to the old gears and lose preload once disturbed. New gears on old bearings is a common cause of a regear that starts whining early.
75W-90 gear oil, or 75W-140 if you tow heavy. Add friction modifier only for a clutch-type limited slip, and change the oil again after break-in if the gears are new.
Only if the bearings are worn too. If the yoke has no play and the axle is quiet, a seal and a new crush sleeve may be enough. A leaking seal on a yoke that wobbles usually means the pinion bearings are the real problem.
