recently my diff. yoke c. brackets holding the u-joint to the yoke broke so i got a new yoke because a bolt was broke inside the old yoke, when i installed the new yoke and tried driving it i found a problem, when i'm in gear and there's power to the driveshaft it's sound fine but when i realease the clutch or put it in gear and slow down there's a clunking noise and if i'm not moving over 1mph the whole diff. locks up and stop's the truck but if i put power to it, it's as if nothing is wrong, it didn't do this before so i was wondering if i installed the new yoke in wrong or if it's a whole new problem, i'm going to be taking the diff. cover palte of and inspecting the gears to see if there's a problem there but if anyone has any info or how to fix it, it would be greatly appreceated

 

OK so i took the cover plate off and found out that my spider gear is broken so my whole rear end is junk, my new question for u guys is does any one know where i can get a 8.25 differential or even a differential rebuild kit for cheap????

 

If,..I mean IF, the Durango rear is the same. There is a nice '98--'99?
6 banger in the U-Pick It yard by me. It took a front end hit with under 62,000
miles on it. No rust either. It's on RT. 30 1 blk east of State St. in
Chicago Hts. (Don't have the phone number but, it was there as of 2:00
today). (I'm going back for the steering wheel Sat).

 

thanks for the info i'll definitely have to look that up

 

I would look to upgrade that 8.25" to a 9.25" if you can find one. It's a direct swap axle and much stronger.

 

i'm not an 8.25 expert, but i've had my 9.25 apart to install a powertrax. the spider gears can be easily removed and replaced. just remove the pinion lock bolt, slide out the pinion shaft and the spider gears will fall out. no setup is required. i was recently in a local junkyard and saw daks by the dozens. you could likely find a spider gear/side gear set for almost nothing.

here's some pics.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/723169-post39.html


NOTE - this is a 9.25, not a 8.25 i don't know if they are different !!

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To answer your IF, the durango rears will swap over but you have to relocate the spring perches and shock mounts. I'd also agree you should look for a 9.25 but they're more common in durangos than dakotas... just depends if you feel like some grinding and welding.