Overview
The Crown Automotive 5183525AA is a differential crush collar for Dana 35 and Dana 44 rear axles. It comes in two sizes: the Dana 35 at 186 mm and the Dana 44 at 226 mm. It fits 2-door and 4-door models.
A crush collar sits on the pinion and is compressed when the pinion nut is tightened, which sets the pinion bearing preload. Setting preload correctly keeps the pinion bearings from loosening or running too tight.
Setting pinion preload
Pinion bearing preload is the small amount of rotational resistance the bearings carry when the pinion is installed, and the crush collar is what holds it. Too little preload lets the pinion move and wear the bearings and gears; too much heats the bearings and can damage them quickly. Because preload depends on how the collar compresses, the setting is a measured job rather than a matter of simply tightening the nut.
Good practice is to measure the existing preload before disassembly, when possible, and to record it for comparison. Replacing the pinion bearings along with the collar is common when the old bearings have been run for a long time. Check the ring and pinion pattern after set-up and keep the differential fluid at the correct level once the job is complete.
- Measure preload with a torque wrench before and after
- Renew pinion bearings if they show wear
- Check the gear pattern after set-up
Specifications
| Brand | Crown Automotive |
|---|---|
| Part number | 5183525AA |
| UPC | 849603001195 |
| Dana 35 rear axle | 186 mm |
| Dana 44 rear axle | 226 mm |
| Position | Rear |
| Body style | 2 and 4 door models |
Vehicle fitment
It fits the 2006 to 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK and the 2007 to 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK, including Rubicon, Sahara and Sport trims among others.
The Grand Cherokee WJ and ZJ, the Wrangler TJ, LJ and JL are not on this list. Confirm your vehicle’s year, model and trim before ordering.
Installation notes
Preload must be set to the axle’s required specification after the collar is seated, which is work for a shop with gear setup experience. A crush collar is normally replaced rather than reused, so plan for a new one whenever the pinion nut is removed.
What’s included
Check the package contents against your installation before starting, including the pinion nut and quantity.
