1988 JEEP CHEROKEE Service Repair Manual

Steering Wheel Retaining Nut
Grand Wagoneer & Pickup ........................ 30 (41)
All Others ..................................... 25 (34)









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SU SPEN SIO N - F R O NT

1988 J e ep C hero ke e
1988 FRONT SUSPENSION
Jeep Coil & Leaf Spring
Cherokee, Comanche, Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer, Wrangler
DESCRIPTION
Cherokee, Comanche and Wagoneer 2WD and 4WD front
suspensions consist of solid axle (tubular axle on 2WD), 4 control
arms, 2 coil springs and track bar. Track bar is used to minimize
front axle side-to-side movement. Stabilizer bar and shock absorbers
control suspension spring movement.
Grand Wagoneer and Wrangler models use leaf spring front
suspension with shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. Wrangler also uses
a track bar to maintain lateral position of front and rear axles.
ADJUSTMENTS
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES in WHEEL
ALIGNMENT section.
WHEEL BEARING
NOTE: Bearings should be cleaned, inspected, replaced (if
necessary) and lubricated before adjustment.
CAUTION: Never preload tapered roller bearings or damage to roller
ends will result. Bearings are designed to have a slightly
loose feel when properly adjusted.
2WD Models
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire
assembly. Remove hub dust cap, cotter pin and nut retainer. Ensure
bearings are thoroughly packed with lithium grease.
2) Rotate hub and rotor assembly by hand, and tighten
retainer nut to 17-25 ft. lbs. (23-34 N.m) to seat bearings.
3) Loosen retainer nut 1/2 turn while rotating hub. Then
retighten nut to 19 INCH lbs. (2 N.m). Install nut retainer and new
cotter pin. Clean hub dust cap and coat inside with clean grease.
Reverse removal procedure for remaining components.
4WD Models (Grand Wagoneer)
1) On models equipped with locking hubs, remove locking
hubs. See appropriate LOCKING HUBS article. On models without locking
hubs, remove hub dust cap and drive gear snap ring. See Fig. 1.
2) Remove drive gear, pressure spring and spring cup. On
all models, remove outer lock nut and lock washer. Tighten inner lock
nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m) while rotating wheel.
3) Back off inner lock nut 45-65 degrees while rotating
wheel. Install washer and outer lock nut. Tighten outer lock nut to
50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m). Reverse removal procedure to complete
installation.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

WHEEL BEARINGS
Removal (2WD Models)
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. DO NOT allow caliper to
hang on brake hose.
2) Remove hub dust cap, cotter pin, nut retainer, retainer
nut, washer and outer wheel bearing. See Fig. 1. Remove hub and rotor
assembly. Pry grease seal from hub. Remove inner wheel bearing.
Inspection
Clean bearings and hub in solvent and dry with compressed
air. Inspect bearings and races for wear.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearing.
See WHEEL BEARING under ADJUSTMENTS in this article.
Removal
(4WD Grand Wagoneer)
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. DO NOT allow caliper to
hang on brake hose. Remove rotor from hub.
2) On models equipped with locking hubs, remove locking
hubs. See appropriate LOCKING HUBS article. On all other models,
remove hub dust cover and drive gear snap ring. See Fig. 1.
3) Remove drive gear, pressure spring and spring cup. On
all models, remove outer lock nut, lock washer, inner lock nut and
outer wheel bearing. Remove hub. Pry grease seal from hub. Remove
inner wheel bearing.
Inspection
Clean bearings and hub in solvent and dry with compressed
air. Inspect bearings and races for wear.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel
bearings. See WHEEL BEARINGS under ADJUSTMENTS in this article.
Removal
(4WD Models Except Grand Wagoneer)
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. Remove cotter pin, nut
retainer and axle shaft nut. Remove hub/carrier assembly from
steering knuckle. See Fig. 1.
2) Inspect bearings for roughness. If bearing roughness
exists, disassemble hub assembly.
Inspection
Clean bearings and hub in solvent and dry with compressed
air. Inspect bearings and races for wear.
Installation
Ensure hub, bearing carrier and wheel bearings are packed
with clean lithium grease. Reassemble hub assembly using new grease
seal. Reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification.
Install new cotter pin.

Fig. 1: Exploded View Of 2WD Hub/Rotor Assembly & 4WD
Hub/Bearing Carrier Assembly
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
SHOCK ABSORBER
Removal & Installation
1) With vehicle at normal riding height, remove nut, washer,
and rubber grommet from top of shock absorber. Note component
locations for reassembly reference.
2) Raise and support vehicle. Remove lower shock mounting
bolts from axle housing bracket. Remove shock absorber. Inspect units
for damage or leakage. Replace shock absorbers in pairs only. To
install, reverse removal procedure.
STEERING KNUCKLE
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. Remove brake rotor or
hub/bearing carrier assembly. See WHEEL BEARINGS in this article.
2) Remove axle shaft from left side of axle housing. To
remove right axle shaft, disconnect vacuum harness from shift motor.
Remove shift motor and axle shaft from housing. Remove caliper anchor
plate from steering knuckle.
3) On each steering knuckle, remove ball joint stud cotter
pin and retaining nuts. Using brass hammer, strike steering knuckle
at ball joint stud bore area to loosen ball joint from steering
knuckle.
4) Inspect split ring seat in steering knuckle ball joint
stud bore for damage. If damaged, use Split Ring Seat
Remover/Installer to remove split ring seat.

Fig. 2: Determining Steering Knuckle
Split Ring Seat Position
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
Installation

1) If split ring seat is replaced, ensure seat is adjusted
to proper depth into steering knuckle ball joint stud bore. Using
split ring seat remover /installer, install split ring seat to a
depth of .206" (5.23 mm).
2) This depth is measured from steering knuckle surface to
top (notched edge) of split ring seat. See Fig. 2. To install,
reverse removal procedures.
3) When installing right axle shaft, ensure shift collar is
positioned on intermediate shaft and axle shaft is fully engaged over
intermediate shaft. Install shift motor. Ensure shift fork engages
with collar. Tighten all bolts to specification.
UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Inspect
upper and lower ball joints for damage, torn grease seals or
excessive wear. Replace as necessary.
2) Remove steering knuckle assembly. See STEERING KNUCKLE in
this article. Position Ball Joint Receiver (J-34503-1) over top of
upper ball joint. Place Adapter (J-34503-3) in "C" Clamp (J-34503).
Install "C" clamp, adapter and receiver. Tighten "C" clamp screw to
remove ball joint. See Fig. 3.
3) To remove lower ball joint, position Ball Joint Receiver
(J-34503-1) onto "C" Clamp (J-34503) and Adapter (J-34503-3) at ba\
se
of clamp. See Fig. 3. Install "C" clamp, adapter and receiver.
Tighten "C" clamp to remove ball joint. See Fig. 3.
Installation
1) Place upper ball joint in position. Position Ball Joint
Installer (J-34503-3) over new upper ball joint. Install Receiver
(J-34503-2) and "C" clamp. Position clamp, and receiver against axle
housing bracket, over installer and ball joint. Tighten "C" clamp and
fully seat ball joint. See Fig. 3.
2) To install lower ball joint, position Ball Joint
Installer (J-34503-12), "C" clamp and Receiver (J-34503-4) See
Fig. 3. Tighten "C" clamp to install ball joint. Ensure ball joint is
fully seated. Reverse removal procedures for remaining components.
Tighten bolts to specification.
Fig. 3: Removing & Installing Upper & Lower Ball Joints
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.

COIL SPRING
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Place
reference mark on drive shaft and front axle flange. Disconnect drive
shaft at front axle. Place jack stand under axle housing. Disconnect
lower control arms at axle housing.
2) Disconnect stabilizer bar links and lower shock absorber
mounting bolts at axle housing. Disconnect track bar at the sill
bracket (if equipped). Disconnect center link at pitman arm.
3) Lower axle housing to relieve spring pressure. Remove
spring retainer mounting bolt, then remove retainer and coil spring.
Note component locations for reassembly reference.
NOTE: Coil springs are rated separately for each side of vehicle
depending on optional equipment and type of service. Ensure
springs are marked for installation in original positions.
Installation
1) Install coil spring and spring retainer. Tighten retainer
mounting bolt. Raise axle housing into position. Connect lower
control arms to axle housing.
2) Install lower shock absorber mounting bolts, center
link-to-pitman arm, track bar-to-frame bracket and stabilizer bar
links-to-axle housing. To complete installation, reverse removal
procedure.
LEAF SPRING
Removal & Installation
Raise and support vehicle. Raise axle assembly with jack to
relieve spring tension. On Wrangler models, loosen stabilizer bar
link nut. On all other models, remove stabilizer bar. Remove spring
"U" bolts and plate. Disconnect front and rear shackles from frame.
Lower spring assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure.
UPPER CONTROL ARM &
AXLE HOUSING PIVOT BUSHING
Removal
1) To remove right side upper control arm for 6-cylinder
models, disconnect right side engine mount. Raise and support engine
so rear control arm mounting bolt clears exhaust pipe. On all models,
raise and support vehicle.
2) Remove upper control arm mounting bolt from axle housing.
Disconnect control arm mounting bolt at frame rail. Remove upper
control arm. Repeat procedure for opposite control arm. Inspect
control arm for damage or distortion and replace as needed.
3) Check pivot bushings for excessive distortion,
deterioration or wear. If bushing replacement is necessary, install
Spacer (J-33581-3) between ears of control arm bracket on axle
housing. See Fig. 4.
NOTE: Spacer is not used on axle housings with solid control arm
brackets.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove upper control arm pivot bushing
without spacer. Tool is designed to support bracket and
prevent distortion during bushing removal.
4) Install Upper Control Arm Pivot Bushing Remover/Installer
Set (J-35581, which must include Spacer J-35581-3, Remover/Installer

J-35581-2, Receiver J-35581-1, Bolt J-21474-19 and Nut J-21474-18)
onto pivot bushing. See Fig. 4.
5) Rotate nut to press bushing from axle housing and into
receiver. See Fig. 4. Once bushing is removed, remove bushing
remover/installer set but leave spacer in position for new bushing
installation.
Installation
1) Position bushing on Remover/Installer (J-35581-2) and Nut\
(J-21474-18). Position bushing and installer components in control
arm bracket. Assemble remaining installer components. See Fig. 4.
2) Rotate nut to press bushing into housing until fully
seated in bore. See Fig. 4. Remove bushing installer components.
Reverse removal procedure for remaining components.
Fig. 4: Removing & Installing Upper Control Arm Bushing
Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.
LOWER CONTROL ARM & BUSHING
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect lower control arm
mounting bolts at axle housing and frame brackets. Remove lower
control arm.
2) Inspect control arm for damage and bushings for excessive
distortion or wear. Replace control arm and/or bushings as necessary.
Installation
Position lower control arm in front and rear brackets.
Install mounting bolts and nuts. Tighten mounting bolts to
specification.
TRACK BAR
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove cotter pin and mounting