Jeep 1992 Wrangler - Replacing rear differential

No, you should not be able to turn the rear differential by hand on a 2007 Jeep Compass with the tires on the ground after removing the driveshaft. The rear differential is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the rear wheels, and it should not rotate freely when the vehicle is in a stationary position. If you can turn the rear differential easily by hand with the tires on the ground, it may indicate an issue with the differential or the components associated with it, such as the differential gears, bearings, or axle shafts. It's recommended to have a qualified mechanic or technician inspect the rear differential to diagnose and address any potential problems.

Rebuilding them consists of new U joints and maybe balanced. If it was so loose the the u joints wallowed out the keepers, Then yes, they would also need replaced. Cut off and welded on. That isn't a common problem, but I have had to replace a few. Not just on jeeps.

Hi Billy,

Pinion angle is the angle between the differential yoke and the driveshaft. Wedge shims are designed to roll the differential up in the front (when you do a lift) to REDUCE this angle and make the driveshaft STRAIGHTER to the differential yoke. If your vibration is caused by pinion angle, removing the shims will make it WORSE.

I have no clue what you are saying about having the differential "wrapped up". If it is tilted upward to make the pinion angle straighter, this is what you WANT to REDUCE vibration.

If you did not change the length of your drive shaft, you are likely having a problem with your slip-yoke being bottomed out. - A whole other can of worms...

This is the problem with installing lift kits and the reason that I neither recommend them nor install them.

If your familiar with this repair there are no tricks. It involves removing the rear differential cover, removing the spider gear lock pin and retainer clip from the axle shaft before removing the axle shaft from the Jeep.

first off check your differential fluid in the rear axle make sure it doesnt have metal shavings in it, best way to tell is put your finger in the fill hole on the rear end/pumpkin and get the oil on your fingure if there is any and shine a light on it if its all sparkly then you have a big problem and need to start tearing into the rear end, possible problems...
spider gears, alxe bearings. and also check the U joint for play in the bearings of the U joint on the drive shaft that will sometimes chatter as well.

If you have an actuator box on the passenger front axle that may be disconnected or broken. If not remove the cover from the front differential and check the gears...they may be broken.

CHECK FOR LOOSE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS.AND LOOK FOR LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.CHECK MOUNTING BOLTS NUTS AND BUSHINGS.ALSO CHECK FOR A DAMAGE UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARINGS.

The factory u-joints use plastic injection for retainers so when it comes time to replace the factory u-joint use a torch to heat the u-joint cups and you will see a melted plastic worm come out the side of the drive shaft, now you can drive out the old joint.
The replacement joint will use inner c-clips.

Axle bearings? If so then you used a slide hammer with the half moon shaped adapter. the half moon spins straight to go into the bearing and then turn to catch both sides and then you pop it out. pinion bearing have to have the front yolk of the rear end taken off and the rear pan to gain access.