1994 JEEP CHEROKEE Service Repair Manual

Fig. 6 Differential OperationÐStraight-Ahead
DrivingFig. 7 Differential OperationÐOn Turns
2 - 4 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
INDEX
page page
Alignment Measurements and Adjustments...... 6
General Information........................ 5Pre-Alignment Inspection.................... 6
GENERAL INFORMATION
Front wheel alignment involves the correct posi-
tioning of the wheels in relation to the vehicle. The
positioning is accomplished through suspension and
steering linkage adjustments. An alignment is con-
sidered essential for efficient steering, good direc-
tional stability and to maximize tire wear. The most
important measurements of front end alignment are
caster, camber and toe position.
Routine inspection of the front suspension
and steering components is a good preventative
maintenance practice. Inspection also helps to
ensure safe operation of the vehicle.
²CASTER is the forward or rearward tilt of the
steering knuckle from vertical. Tilting the top of the
knuckle rearward provides positive caster. Tilting the
top of the knuckle forward provides negative caster.
Caster is a directional stability angle whichenables the front wheels to return to a straight
ahead position after turns (Fig. 1).
²CAMBER is the inward or outward tilt of the
wheel relative to the center of the vehicle. Tilting the
top of the wheel inward provides negative camber.
Tilting the top of the wheel outward provides positive
camber. Incorrect camber will cause wear on the in-
side or outside edge of the tire (Fig. 1).
²WHEEL TOE POSITION is the difference between
the leading inside edges and trailing inside edges of
the front tires (Fig. 1). Incorrect wheel toe position is
the most common cause of unstable steering and un-
even tire wear. The wheel toe position is thefinal
front wheel alignment adjustment.
²STEERING AXIS INCLINATION ANGLE is mea-
sured in degrees and is the angle that the steering
knuckles are tilted (Fig. 1). The inclination angle has
a fixed relationship with the camber angle. It will
Fig. 1 Wheel Alignment Measurements
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 5

not change except when a spindle or ball stud is
damaged or bent. The angle is not adjustable and the
damaged component(s) must be replaced to correct
mis-alignment.
CAUTION:Do not attempt to modify any suspension
or steering component by heating and bending.
PRE-ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
Before starting a front wheel alignment, the follow-
ing inspection and necessary corrections must be
completed.
(1) Tires with the same recommended air pressure,
size, and thread wear. Refer to Group 22, Tires And
Wheels for diagnosis information.
(2) Front wheel bearings for wear.
(3) Ball studs, steering linkage pivot points and
steering gear for looseness, roughness, binding or
wear. Refer to Group 19, Steering for additional in-
formation.
(4) Front wheels for excessive radial or lateral
runout and unbalance. Refer to Group 22, Tires And
Wheels for diagnosis information.
(5) Suspension components for wear and noise.
Check components for correct torque. Refer to Groups
2 and 3, Suspension and Axle for additional informa-
tion.
ALIGNMENT MEASUREMENTS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Before each alignment reading, the vehicle should
be jounced (rear first, then front). Grasp each bumper
at the center and jounce the vehicle up and down
several times. Always release the bumper in the
down position.Set the front end alignment to
specifications with the vehicle at its NOR-
MALLY RIDE HEIGHT.
CAMBER
The wheel camber angle (Fig. 1) is preset at ZERO
DEGREES (0É). The angle is not adjustable and can-
not be altered.
CASTER
The caster angle (Fig. 1) is set at:
²XJ manual transmission, POSITIVE 6.5 DE-
GREES (+6.5É).
²XJ automatic transmission, POSITIVE 8.0 DE-
GREES (+8.0É).
²YJ all transmissions, POSITIVE 6.0 DEGREES
(+6.0É).
Before checking the caster of the front axle for cor-
rect angle. Be sure the axle is not bent or twisted.
Road test the vehicle, and make left and right
turns. If the steering wheel returns to the center po-
sition unassisted, the caster angle is correct. How-ever, if steering wheel does not return toward the
center position unassisted, an incorrect caster angle
is probable.
Caster can be adjusted by installing the appropri-
ate size shims (Fig. 2, 3).Changing caster angle
will also change the front propeller shaft angle.
The propeller shaft angle has priority over
caster. Refer to Group 16, Propeller Shafts for
additional information.
Fig. 2 AdjustmentÐYJ Vehicles
Fig. 3 AdjustmentÐXJ Vehicles
2 - 6 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 7

TOE POSITIONÐXJ VEHICLES
The wheel toe position adjustment should be the fi-
nal adjustment.
(1) Start the engine and turn wheels both ways be-
fore straightening the wheels. Secure the steering
wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead po-
sition.
(2) Loosen the adjustment sleeve clamp bolts (Fig.
4).
(3) Adjust the right wheel toe position with the
drag link. Turn the sleeve until the right wheel is at
specifications. Position the clamp bolts as shown
(Fig. 5) and tighten to 49 Nzm (36 ft. lbs.) torque.
Make sure the toe setting does not change dur-
ing clamp tightening.
(4) Adjust the left wheel toe position with the tie
rod. Turn the sleeve until the left wheel is at speci-
fications. Position the clamp bolts as shown (Fig. 5)
and tighten to 27 Nzm (20 ft. lbs.) torque.Make sure
the toe setting does not change during clamp
tightening.
(5) Verify the right toe setting.
Fig. 4 Steering LinkageÐXJ Vehicles
Fig. 5 Drag Link and Tie Rod Clamp Location
2 - 8 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

TOE POSITIONÐYJ VEHICLES
The wheel toe position should be the final front
wheel alignment adjustment. In all instances follow
the equipment manufacturer's recommended proce-
dure.
(1) Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels
in the straight-ahead position. For vehicles equipped
with power steering, start the engine before straight-
ening the wheels.(2) Loosen the adjustment sleeve clamp bolts on
the tie rod (Fig. 6).
YJ Vehicles
The tie rod and adjustment sleeve have both
right and left hand threads to provide equal ad-
justment for each wheel.
(3) After the adjustment is completed, position the
tie rod adjustment sleeve clamp bolts as shown.
(4) Tighten the adjustment sleeve clamp bolts to
27 Nzm (20 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) The steering wheel can be centered by the drag
link. Complete the adjustment. Position the drag link
clamp bolts as shown. Tighten the bolts to 49 Nzm
(36 ft. lbs.) torque.
Fig. 6 Steering Linkage
ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONSÐXJ VEHICLES
ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONSÐYJ VEHICLES
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 9

XJ FRONT SUSPENSION
INDEX
page page
Axle Bushing Replacement................. 11
Coil Spring............................. 13
Lower Suspension Arm.................... 11
Service Information....................... 10
Shock Absorber.......................... 12Spring and Shock Diagnosis................ 12
Stabilizer Bar............................ 10
Track Bar.............................. 10
Upper Suspension Arm.................... 11
SERVICE INFORMATION
CAUTION: Suspension components that use rubber
bushings should be tightened with the vehicle at
the normal height. It is important to have the
springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when
the fasteners are torqued. If the springs are not at
their normal ride position, vehicle ride comfort
could be affected along with premature bushing
wear. Rubber bushings must never be lubricated.
TRACK BAR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the ball
stud end at the frame rail bracket (Fig. 1).
A puller tool may be necessary to separate the
ball stud from the frame rail bracket.
(3) Remove the bolt and flag nut from the axle
shaft tube bracket (Fig. 1). Remove the track bar.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the track bar at axle tube bracket. Loosely
install the retaining bolt and flag nut (Fig. 1).
(2) It may be necessary to pry the axle assembly
over to install the track bar at the frame rail. Install
track bar at the frame rail bracket. Install the re-
taining nut on the stud (Fig. 1).
(3) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(4) Tighten the retaining bolt at the axle shaft
tube bracket to 100 Nzm (74 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Tighten the ball stud nut to 81 Nzm (60 ft. lbs.)
torque. Install a new cotter pin.
STABILIZER BAR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Disconnect the stabilizer bar links from the
axle brackets (Fig. 2).
(3) Disconnect the stabilizer bar from the links.
(4) Disconnect the stabilizer bar clamps from the
frame rails. Remove the stabilizer bar.
Fig. 2 Stabilizer BarFig. 1 Track Bar
2 - 10 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

INSTALLATION
(1) Inspect stabilizer bar bushings ( Fig. 2). Re-
place bushings if cracked, cut, distorted, or worn.
(2) Position the stabilizer bar on the frame rail
and install the bushings and clamps. Ensure the bar
is centered with equal spacing on both sides. Tighten
the bolts to 75 Nzm (40 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the links and grommets onto the stabi-
lizer bar and axle brackets (Fig. 2). Tighten the nut
at the connecting links at the axle bracket to 95 Nzm
(70 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Tighten the stabilizer bar to connecting link
nut to 36 Nzm (27 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the upper suspension arm nut and bolt
at the axle bracket (Fig. 3).
(3) Remove the nut and bolt (Fig. 3) at the frame
rail and remove the upper suspension arm.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the upper suspension arm at the axle
and frame rail (Fig. 3).
(2) Install the bolts and finger tighten the nuts
(Fig. 3).
(3) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(4) Tighten the nut at the axle to 75 Nzm (55 ft.
lbs.) torque.
Tighten the nut at the frame bracket to 90 Nzm (66
ft. lbs.) torque.
AXLE BUSHING REPLACEMENT
(1) Remove the upper suspension arm from axle.
Refer to Upper Suspension Arm Removal in this
Group.
(2) Insert Spacer 7932-3 (J-35581-3) around the
bushing in the axle bracket ears (Fig. 4).
(3) Assemble and install Bushing Removal/In-
staller (Fig. 4).
(4) Remove the bushing by tightening the hex-
head on Long Nut.
For two-wheel drive axles and right side on
Model 30 axle, do not remove Spacer 7932-3 (J-
35581-3) at this time.
(5) Position the new bushing on Installer.
(6) Install the bushing by tightening the hex-head
on Long Nut (Fig. 5). Remove Spacer 7932-3 (J-
35581-3).
(7) Install the upper suspension arm to axle. Refer
to Upper Suspension Arm Installation in this Group.
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the lower suspension arm nut and bolt
from the axle bracket (Fig. 3).
(3) Remove the nut and bolt (Fig. 3) from the rear
bracket and remove the lower suspension arm.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the lower suspension arm at the axle
bracket and rear bracket (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Upper and Lower Suspension Arms
Fig. 4 Axle Bracket Bushing Removal
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 11