
SERVICE DIAGNOSIS (CONT'D)
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 19

MODEL 30 AXLE AND TUBE AXLE (2WD)
INDEX
page page
Axle Bushing Replacement................. 32
Axle Shaft Ð Cardan U-Joint................ 25
Axle Specifications....................... 46
Backlash and Contact Pattern Analysis........ 44
Cleaning/Inspection....................... 35
Differential and Pinion Measurement.......... 38
Differential Assembly...................... 36
Differential Disassembly.................... 34
Differential Installation..................... 43
Differential Removal...................... 32
Differential Shim Pack Measurement and Adjustment.42
Drive Axle Assembly ReplacementÐXJ Vehicles . 21
Drive Axle Assembly ReplacementÐYJ Vehicles . 21Final Assembly.......................... 44
Hub Bearing and Axle Shaft................ 24
Information............................. 20
Inner Axle Shaft Oil Seal Replacement........ 33
Lubricant Change........................ 22
Lubricant Specifications.................... 20
Pinion Gear Assembly/Installation............ 40
Pinion Gear Depth Information.............. 37
Pinion Removal/Disassembly................ 34
Pinion Seal Replacement.................. 23
Steering Knuckle and Ball Studs............. 30
Vacuum Disconnect Axle Ð YJ Vehicles....... 26
INFORMATION
The housing for Model 30 front axles consists of an
iron center casting (differential housing) with axle
shaft tubes extending from either side. The tubes are
pressed into and welded to the differential housing to
form a one-piece axle housing.
The integral type housing, hypoid gear design has
the centerline of the pinion set above the centerline
of the ring gear.
The axle has a fitting for a vent hose used to re-
lieve internal pressure caused by lubricant vaporiza-
tion and internal expansion.
The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle
shafts, meaning that loads are supported by the hub
bearings. The axle shafts are retained by nuts at the
hub bearings. The hub bearings are bolted to the
steering knuckle at the outboard end of the axle tube
yoke. The hub bearings are serviced as an assembly.
The axles are equipped with ABS brake sensors.
The sensors are attached to the knuckle assemblies
and tone rings are pressed on the axle shaft.Use
care when removing axle shafts as NOT to dam-
age the tone wheel or the sensor.
The stamped steel cover provides a means for in-
spection and servicing the differential.
The Model 30 axle has the assembly part number
and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is attached to
the housing cover. Build date identification codes are
stamped on the axle shaft tube cover side.
The differential case is a one-piece design. The dif-
ferential pinion mate shaft is retained with a roll
pin. Differential bearing preload and ring gear back-
lash is adjusted by the use of shims (select thick-
ness). The shims are located between the differential
bearing cones and case. Pinion bearing preload is set
and maintained by the use of collapsible spacer.
PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT WITH
PINION GAUGE SET 6774, Pinion Block 6733 and
Dial Indicator C-3339 is performed when;²Axle/differential housing is being replaced
²Original pinion depth shim pack is lost or mis-
placed
²Replacing the differential case
²Original differential bearing shim pack is lost or
misplaced
COMMAND-TRACÐYJ VEHICLES
The Command-Trac system is a vacuum disconnect
axle. The system has a two-piece axle shaft coupled
together by a shift collar. For two-wheel drive oper-
ation, the vacuum motor and shift fork disengages
the axle shaft splines. For four-wheel drive opera-
tion, the vacuum motor and shift fork engages the
splines.
SELEC-TRACÐXJ VEHICLES
The Selec-Trac system is a non-disconnect axle.
Shifting from two-wheel to four-wheel drive is at the
transfer case.
For XJ vehicles equipped withSelec-Tracand
ABS brake system, refer to Group 5ÐBrakes for ad-
ditional service information.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Multi-purpose, hypoid gear lubricant should be
used for Model 30 axles. The lubricant should have
MIL-L-2105C and API GL 5 quality specifications.
MOPARtHypoid Gear Lubricant conforms to both of
these specifications.
²The factory fill for the Model 30 axle is SAE 75W
gear lubricant.Do not use heavier weight lubri-
cant, this will cause axle engagement difficulties.
²The factory installed lubricant quantity for the
NON-DISCONNECT TYPE AXLE is 5061 fluid oz..
²The factory installed lubricant quantity for the
VACUUM-DISCONNECT TYPE AXLE is 5661 fluid
oz..
2 - 20 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean the axle shaft (Fig. 6) and ap-
ply a thin film of Mopar Wheel Bearing Grease to
the shaft splines, seal contact surface, hub bore.
(2) Install the axle shaft into the housing and dif-
ferential side gears. Avoid damaging the axle shaft
oil seals in the differential.
(3) Install the hub bearing and brake dust shield
to the knuckle.
(4) Install the hub to knuckle bolts and tighten to
102 Nzm (75 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Install the hub washer and nut. Tighten the
hub nut to 237 Nzm (175 ft. lbs.) torque. Install the
nut retainer and a new cotter pin (Fig. 6).
(6) Install the brake components, refer to Group 5,
Brakes.
(7) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
(8) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
AXLE SHAFTÐ CARDAN U-JOINT
DISASSEMBLY
Single cardan U-joints are not serviceable. If defec-
tive, they must be replaced as a unit. If the bearings,
seals, spider or bearing caps are damaged or worn,
replace the complete U-joint.
CAUTION: Clamp only the forged portion of the
yoke in the vise. Also, to avoid distorting the yoke,
do not over tighten the vise jaws.
(1) Remove the bearing cap retaining snap rings
(Fig. 7).
It can be helpful to saturate the bearing caps
with penetrating oil prior to removal.(2) Locate a socket that is larger in diameter than
the bearing cap. Place the socket (receiver) against
the yoke and around the perimeter of the bearing cap
to be removed. Locate a socket that is smaller in di-
ameter than the bearing cap. Place the socket (driv-
er) against the opposite bearing cap. Position the
yoke with the sockets in a vise (Fig. 8).
(3) Compress the vise jaws to force the bearing cap
into the larger socket (receiver).
(4) Release the vise jaws. Remove the sockets and
bearing cap that was partially forced out of the yoke.
(5) Repeat the above procedure for the remaining
bearing cap.
(6) Remove the remaining bearing cap, bearings,
seals and spider from the propeller shaft yoke.
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
(1) Clean all the U-joint yoke bores with cleaning
solvent and a wire brush. Ensure that all the rust
and foreign matter are removed from the bores.
(2) Inspect the yokes for distortion, cracks and
worn bearing cap bores.
(3) Replace the complete U-joint if any of the com-
ponents are defective.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Pack the bearing caps 1/3 full of wheel bearing
lubricant. Apply extreme pressure (EP), lithium-base
lubricant to aid in installation.
(2) Position the spider in the yoke. Insert the seals
and bearings. Tap the bearing caps into the yoke
bores far enough to hold the spider in position.
Fig. 7 Axle Shaft Outer U-Joint
Fig. 8 Yoke Bearing Cap Removal
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 25

SHIFT MOTOR Ð REMOVAL/DISASSEMBLY
(1) Disconnect the vacuum and wiring connector
from the shift housing.
(2) Remove indicator switch.
(3) Remove the shift motor housing cover, gasket
and shield from the housing (Fig. 11).
(4) Remove the E-clips from the shift motor hous-
ing and shaft. Remove shift motor and shift fork
from the housing (Fig. 12).
(5) Remove the O-ring seal from the shift motor
shaft.
(6) Clean and inspect all components. If any com-
ponent is excessively worn or damaged, it should be
replaced.
ASSEMBLY/INSTALLATION
(1) Install a new O-ring seal on the shift motor
shaft.
(2) Insert the shift motor shaft through the hole in
the housing and shift fork. The shift fork offset
should be toward the differential.(3) Install the E-clips on the shift motor shaft and
housing.
(4) Install the shift motor housing gasket and
cover.Ensure the shift fork is correctly guided
into the shift collar groove.
(5) Install the shift motor housing shield and at-
taching bolts. Tighten the bolts to 11 Nzm (101 in.
lbs.) torque.
(6) Add 148 ml (5 ounces) of API grade GL 5 hy-
poid gear lubricant to the shift motor housing. Add
lubricant through indicator switch mounting hole.
(7) Install indicator switch, electrical connector
and vacuum harness.
INTERMEDIATE AXLE SHAFTÐREMOVAL/
DISASSEMBLY
Service to the Disconnect axle seals and bearing re-
quire the use of Tool Set 6288 (J34659) and Seal In-
staller 6228.
(1) Remove the vacuum motor housing. Refer to
Shift Motor Removal in this section.
(3) Remove the outer axle shaft. Refer to Hub
Bearing and Axle Shaft in this section.
(4) Remove shift collar and intermediate axle
shaft.
(5) Remove the inner axle shaft seal from the shift
motor housing (Fig. 13).
(6) Remove the intermediate axle shaft bearing
(Fig. 14).
ASSEMBLY/INSTALLATION
(1) Position the bearing on installation tool. Seat
the bearing in the housing bore (Fig. 15).
(2) Clean the inside perimeter of the axle shaft
tube with fine crocus cloth.
(3) Apply a light film of oil to the inside lip of the
new axle shaft seal.
(4) Install the inner axle seal (Fig. 16, 17).
The axle shaft seal primary installation tool
6228-1 will only force the seal partially into the
Fig. 11 Shift Motor Housing and Shift Collar
Fig. 12 Vacuum Shift Motor ComponentsFig. 13 Axle Shaft Inner Seal Removal
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 29

axle shaft tube bore. The axle shaft seal second-
ary installation tool 6228-3 must be used to com-
pletely seat the seal in the axle shaft tube bore.
After seal installation, inspect that the seal is
NOT distorted or cocked in the tube.(5) Insert the intermediate axle shaft into the dif-
ferential side gear.
(6) Install the shift collar on the splined end of the
intermediate axle shaft.
(7) Lubricate the splined end of the intermediate
axle shaft with multi-purpose lubricant (Fig. 18).
CAUTION: Apply all-purpose lubricant to the axle
shaft splines to prevent damage to the seal during
axle shaft installation.
(8) Insert the axle shaft into the tube. Engage the
splined-end of the shaft with the shift collar. Refer to
Hub Bearing and Axle Shaft in this section.
(9) Install the vacuum motor housing. Refer to
Shift Motor Installation in this section.
STEERING KNUCKLE AND BALL STUDS
Ball Stud service procedures below require removal
of the hub bearing and axle shaft. Removal and in-
stallation of upper and lower ball stud requires use
of Tool Kit 6289 (J34503-A).
Fig. 14 Bearing Removal Tool Installed
Fig. 15 Intermediate Shaft Bearing Installation
Fig. 16 Primary Installation of Seal (Step One)
Fig. 17 Secondary Installation of Seal (Step Two)
Fig. 18 Shift Collar Installation
2 - 30 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

(4) Install the Hub Bearing and Axle Shaft accord-
ing to the installation procedure.
(5) Reconnect the tie-rod or drag link end onto the
steering knuckle arm. Install the ABS sensor wire
and bracket to the knuckle, refer to Group 5 Ð
Brakes.
AXLE BUSHING REPLACEMENT
Refer to Axle Bushing Replacement in the Front
Suspension section.
DIFFERENTIAL REMOVAL
To service the differential the axle assembly and
axle shafts must be removed. Refer to the removal
procedures in this Group.
(1) Note the installation reference letters stamped
on the bearing caps and housing machined sealing
surface (Fig. 22).
(2) Remove the differential bearing caps.
(3) Position Spreader W-129-B with the tool dowel
pins seated in the locating holes (Fig. 23). Install the
holddown clamps and tighten the tool turnbuckle fin-
ger-tight.
(4) Install a pilot stud at the left side of the differ-
ential housing. Attach Dial Indicator to housing pilot
stud. Load the indicator plunger against the opposite
side of the housing (Fig. 26) and zero the indicator.
CAUTION:Do not spread over 0.38 mm (0.015 in). Ifthe housing is over-separated, it could be distorted
or damaged.
(5) Separate the housing enough to remove the
case from the housing. Measure the distance with the
dial indicator (Fig. 23).
(6) Remove the dial indicator.
(7) Pry the differential case loose from the hous-
ing. To prevent damage, pivot on housing with the
end of the pry bar against spreader (Fig. 24).
Fig. 21 Lower Ball Stud Remove/Install
Fig. 22 Bearing Cap Identification
2 - 32 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

PINION GEAR DEPTH INFORMATION
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched sets
only. The identifying numbers for the ring and pin-
ion gear are etched into the face of each gear (Fig.
40). A plus (+) number, minus (-) number or zero (0)
is etched into the face of the pinion gear. This num-
ber is the amount (in thousandths of an inch) the
depth varies from the standard depth setting of a
pinion etched with a (0). The standard setting from
the centerline of the ring gear to the back face of thepinion is 92.1 mm (3.625 inches) for Model 30 axles
(Fig. 41). The standard depth provides the best teeth
contact pattern.
THE BUTTON END ON THE PINION GEAR
HEAD IS NO LONGER A MACHINED-TO-SPECI-
FICATIONS SURFACE. DO NOT USE THIS SUR-
FACE FOR PINION DEPTH SET-UP OR
CHECKING (Fig. 41).
Compensation for depth variance is achieved by a
selected thickness oil slinger (production) or shims
(service). The slinger is placed between the inner
pinion bearing cone and gear head (Fig. 42). The
shim pack is placed under the inner (rear) bearing
cup for service. To change the pinion adjustment,
shims are available in thicknesses of 0.003, 0.005,
and 0.010 inch.The oil slinger or baffle must be
measured and the thickness included with the
total shim pack.
New gear set: note the depth variance etched
into both the original and the replacement pin-
ion gear. Add or subtract the thickness of the
Fig. 38 Mate Shaft Pin Installation
Fig. 39 Ring Gear Bolt Installation
Fig. 40 Pinion Gear ID Numbers
Fig. 41 Pinion Gear Head
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 37

Arbor Discs have different steps to fit other
axle sizes. Pick correct size step for axle being
serviced.
(3) Firmly place Scooter Block and Dial Indicator
on pinion height block tool and zero the dial indica-
tor pointer.
(4) Slide the Scooter Block across the arbor while
observing indicator (Fig. 48). Record the longest
travel distance, whether inward (-) or outward (+),
indicated by the pointer.
The plunger travel distance indicated, plus or
minus the variance etched in the gear is the re-
quired thickness for the depth shims.
(5) Measure the thickness of each depth shim with
a micrometer and combine the shims necessary fortotal required shim pack thickness.Include oil
slinger or baffle thickness with the total shim
pack thickness.
(6) Remove the measurement tools from the differ-
ential housing.
PINION GEAR ASSEMBLY/INSTALLATION
(1) Place the shims (and baffle if equipped) in the
pinion gear rear bearing bore. Install the bearing cup
with Installer D-146 and Driver Handle C-4171 (Fig.
49). Ensure cup is correctly seated.
(2) Install the pinion front bearing cup with In-
staller D-144 and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 50).
(3) Install the rear bearing and oil slinger on the
pinion gear with Installer W-262 until completely
seated (Fig. 51).
Fig. 48 Pinion Depth Measurement
Fig. 49 Pinion Rear Bearing Cup Installation
Fig. 50 Pinion Front Bearing Cup Installation
Fig. 51 Pinion Rear Bearing Installation
2 - 40 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ