Yukon Gear 1541H Alloy 5 Lug Rear Axle For Chrysler 8.25in Cherokee and Durango
A 1997-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ with the Chrysler 8.25 rear that howls at highway speed, leaks gear oil onto the rear brakes, or broke a shaft on the trail needs a stronger axle than the tired factory one. Yukon YA C52098902 is a 1541H alloy rear shaft for that axle. Yukon lists it at 29-13/16 inches long with 29 splines and a 5-lug flange that is double drilled for both the stock 5 x 4.5 inch pattern and the 5 x 5.5 inch pattern, so it works with factory wheels or a common aftermarket wheel swap.
The 8.25 is a semi-floating, C-clip axle with a 10-bolt cover and threaded side adjusters for the carrier bearings. Each shaft is splined into a side gear in the carrier and held in by a C-clip at its inner tip, which is locked in place by the pinion cross shaft. Out at the wheel, the axle bearing is pressed into the housing tube and its rollers run on a hardened journal on the shaft. That layout keeps the axle simple and light, but it means the shaft carries vehicle weight and torque at the same time, and a failed bearing usually damages the shaft surface it rides on. On an XJ running larger tires, the 29-spline factory shaft also sees much more twisting load than it was designed for. A 1541H alloy shaft that has been induction hardened gives more margin on both counts.
Put the rear on stands, pull the wheel and drum, and check flange runout with a dial indicator. Then remove the cover, drain the oil, pull the pinion shaft lock bolt and cross shaft, push the axle in and remove the C-clip. Slide the shaft out and inspect the bearing journal and splines; any groove you can catch with a fingernail means a new shaft. A whine that comes and goes with throttle is the ring and pinion or pinion bearings, not the axle, and our Chrysler 8.25 rear axle problems and rebuild cost guide walks through that diagnosis and how to tell an 8.25 from a Dana 35. Worn gear-set bearings are handled with the Chrysler 8.25 Timken master bearing kit.
Yukon's headline application is the 1997-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ with the Chrysler 8.25 rear. XJs from 1991 to 1996 that had the 8.25 used 27-spline shafts, and the 29-spline version arrived late in the 1996 model year, so count the splines on your old shaft. Many XJs left the factory with a Dana 35 instead, which this shaft does not fit; check the cover shape and housing tag first. Yukon's product notes also mention the 1997-2003 Dodge Durango and other Cherokee years, so if your vehicle is not a 1997-2001 XJ, confirm the 29-spline count and the 29-13/16 inch length against your original part, or send us your year and VIN and we will verify it. Yukon does not list a side, so measure both shafts.
Regearing for bigger tires while the axle is apart? The Yukon 4.56 gear set for 2004-and-older Chrysler 8.25 fits this housing, the Yukon 8.25 master overhaul kit supplies the bearings and seals to install it, and a Dorman 8.25 differential bearing kit is a lower-cost bearing option.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YA C52098902 |
| Fits | Yukon Gear 1541H Alloy 5 Lug Rear Axle For Chrysler 8.25in Cherokee and Durango |
| Type | Axles |
| 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.
Probably not. 1991 to mid-1996 XJ 8.25 axles used 27-spline shafts; this shaft has 29 splines. Count the splines on your original shaft to be sure.
No. This shaft is for the Chrysler 8.25 only. The Dana 35 uses different shafts and side gears.
Yukon double drills it for the stock 5 x 4.5 inch pattern and the 5 x 5.5 inch pattern, so it works with factory wheels or a 5 x 5.5 wheel swap.
No. Yukon lists the shaft only. Buy a new axle bearing and seal and install them with the shaft.
75W-90 gear oil, filled to the bottom of the fill plug hole. Add friction modifier if the axle has a Trac-Lok limited slip.
