1994 JEEP CHEROKEE Transfer case

(17) Connect transmission wire harnesses and
transfer case vacuum and wire harnesses.
(18) Connect transmission cooler lines.
(19) Connect transmission throttle cable at engine.(20) Install new O-ring seal on upper half of trans-
mission fill tube. Then connect upper and lower tube
halves.
(21) Lower vehicle.
(22) Fill transmission with Mopar Mercon auto-
matic transmission fluid. Mopar Dexron II can be
used if Mercon is not readily available.
Fig. 53 AW-4 Transmission Attachment
JAW-4 TRANSMISSION REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION 21 - 191

NP231 TRANSFER CASE
INDEX
page page
General Information...................... 272
Shift Linkage Adjustment.................. 275
Speedometer Service.................... 275
Transfer Case Assembly.................. 282
Transfer Case Disassembly and Overhaul..... 277Transfer Case Identification................ 273
Transfer Case Installation................. 276
Transfer Case Lubricant.................. 273
Transfer Case Removal................... 276
GENERAL INFORMATION
The NP231 is a part-time transfer case with a low
range reduction gear system (Fig. 1). The NP231 has
three operating ranges plus a Neutral position. A low
range system provides a reduction ratio for increased
low speed torque capability.The NP231 is the Command Trac transfer case. It
is used in XJ and YJ models.
Two versions of the NP231 are used. One version
retains the synchronizer components used in previ-
ous models. A newly introduced version is not
equipped with synchro components.
Fig. 1 NP231 Transfer Case
21 - 272 NP231 TRANSFER CASEJ

OPERATING RANGES
NP231 operating ranges are: 2-wheel drive high; 4-
wheel drive high and 4-wheel drive low (Fig. 2).
2-wheel drive range is for use on all surfaces. The
4-wheel drive high and low ranges are undifferenti-
ated and should only be used on unpaved, low trac-
tion surfaces only.
SHIFT MECHANISM
Operating ranges are selected with a floor mounted
shift lever. The shift lever is connected to the trans-
fer case range lever by an adjustable linkage rod. A
straight line shift pattern is used (Fig. 2). Range po-
sitions are marked on the shifter bezel cover plate. A
front axle disconnect mechanism is only used on cer-
tain models.
TRANSFER CASE IDENTIFICATION
A circular ID tag is attached to the rear case of
each NP231 transfer case (Fig. 3). The ID tag pro-vides the transfer case model number, assembly
number, serial number and low range ratio.
The transfer case serial number also represents the
date of build. For example, a serial number of 8-
10-92 would represent August 10, 1992.
TRANSFER CASE LUBRICANT
Recommended Lubricant
Use Mopar Dexron II, or ATF Plus, type 7176 au-
tomatic transmission fluid in the NP231 transfer
case.
Lubricant Capacity
Approximate refill lubricant capacity is 1.54 liters
(3.25 pints) for YJ and 1.04 liters (2.2 pints) for XJ.
Fill Level
The correct fill level is to the bottom edge of the fill
plug hole. The vehicle must be level in order to en-
sure an accurate fluid level check.
Fig. 2 NP231 Shift Pattern
Fig. 3 Transfer Case Identification Tag
JNP231 TRANSFER CASE 21 - 273

NP231 SERVICE DIAGNOSIS
21 - 274 NP231 TRANSFER CASEJ

SHIFT LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
LINKAGE ADJUSTMENTÐYJ
(1) Remove transfer case shift knob locknut and
remove knob (Fig. 4).
(2) Remove outer boot attaching screws and re-
move boot (Fig. 4).
(3) Remove inner boot attaching screws and re-
move boot (Fig. 4).
(4) Move shift lever into 4L position.
(5) Insert 3 mm (1/8 in.) spacer between shift lever
and forward edge of shift lever gate (Fig. 5). Secure
lever and spacer in place with tape or wire.
(6) Secure shift lever and spacer with tape or wire.
(7) Raise vehicle.
(8) Loosen lock bolt on adjusting trunnion (Fig. 6).
Linkage rod should now slide freely in trunnion.
(9) Verify that range lever is in 4L position (Fig. 6).
(10) Position linkage rod so it is a free fit in range
lever. Then tighten trunnion lock bolt (Fig. 6).
(11) Lower vehicle.
(12) Remove shift lever spacer and install inner
and outer boots and shift knob (Fig. 4).
LINKAGE ADJUSTMENTÐXJ
(1) Remove shift lever bezel.
(2) Move shift lever into 4L position.
(3) Insert 3 mm (1/8 in.) spacer between shift lever
and forward edge of shift lever gate (Fig. 7). Securelever and spacer in place with tape or wire.
(4) Raise vehicle.
(5) Loosen trunnion lock bolt (Figs. 8 and 9). Link-
age rod should now slide freely in trunnion.
(6) Verify that transfer case range lever is in 4L
position.
(7) Position linkage rod so it is a free fit in range
lever (Figs. 8 and 9). Then tighten trunnion locknut.
(8) Lower vehicle.
(9) Remove shift lever spacer and install bezel.SPEEDOMETER SERVICE
Speedometer service is covered in the automatic
transmission sections in this group. Refer to the ap-
propriate section as needed.
Fig. 4 Transfer Case Shift Lever And BootsÐYJ
Fig. 5 Installing Shift Lever SpacerÐYJ
Fig. 6 Shift Trunnion Lock Bolt PositionÐYJ
JNP231 TRANSFER CASE 21 - 275

TRANSFER CASE REMOVAL
(1) Shift transfer case into Neutral.
(2) Raise vehicle.
(3) Drain transfer case lubricant.
(4) Mark front and rear propeller shaft yokes for
alignment reference.
(5) Support transmission with jack stand.
(6) Remove rear crossmember, or skid plate.
(7) Disconnect front/rear propeller shafts at trans-
fer case.
(8) Disconnect vehicle speed sensor wires.(9) Disconnect transfer case linkage rod from range
lever.
(10) Disconnect transfer case vent hose.
(11) Support transfer case with transmission jack.
(12) Remove nuts attaching transfer case to trans-
mission.
(13) Secure transfer case to jack with chains.
(14) Pull transfer case and jack rearward to disen-
gage transfer case.
(15) Remove transfer case from under vehicle.
TRANSFER CASE INSTALLATION
(1) Mount transfer case on a transmission jack. Se-
cure transfer case to jack with chains.
(2) Position transfer case under vehicle.
(3) Align transfer case and transmission shafts and
install transfer case on transmission.
(4) Install and tighten transfer case attaching nuts
to 35 Nzm (26 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Connect vehicle speed sensor wires, and vent hose.
(6) Align and connect propeller shafts. Tighten
shaft attaching bolts to 19 Nzm (170 in. lbs.) torque.
(7) Fill transfer case with Mopar ATF Plus, or
Dexron II automatic transmission fluid.
(8) Install rear crossmember, or skid plate. Tighten
crossmember bolts to 41 Nzm (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) Remove transmission jack and transmission
support stand.
(10) Connect transfer case range lever to linkage rod.
Fig. 7 Installing Shift Lever SpacerÐXJ
Fig. 8 Shift LinkageÐYJ
Fig. 9 Shift LinkageÐXJ
21 - 276 NP231 TRANSFER CASEJ

(11) Adjust transfer case shift linkage.
(12) Lower vehicle.
TRANSFER CASE DISASSEMBLY AND OVERHAUL
Two versions of the NP231 are used in current
models. One version retains the synchronizer
components used in previous years. A newly intro-
duced version does not have synchro components.
The non-synchro version does not have a synchro
gear, struts, spring and stop ring. During over-
haul, note which version is being serviced and or-
der needed parts accordingly.
(1) Remove fill and drain plugs.
(2) Remove front yoke. Discard yoke seal washer
and nut. They should not be reused.
(3) Move transfer case range lever rearward to 4L
position.
(4) Remove extension housing attaching bolts.
(5) Tap extension housing in clockwise direction to
break sealer bead and remove housing (Fig. 1).
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the sealing surfaces
of the extension housing and rear retainer, do not
pry or wedge the housing off the retainer.
(6) Remove rear bearing snap ring (Fig. 2).
(7) Remove rear retainer attaching bolts.
(8) Remove rear retainer. Position screwdriver un-
der each tab on retainer housing (Fig. 3). Then care-
fully pry retainer upward and off rear case.
CAUTION: Do not pry against the sealing surfaces of
the retainer or rear case. The surfaces could be dam-
aged.
(9) Remove bolts attaching rear case to front case.
Retain bolts and washers.
(10) Separate rear case from front case (Fig. 4) Insert
screwdrivers into slots cast in case ends. Then gently
pry upward to break sealer bead and loosen rear case.
CAUTION: Do not pry against the sealing surfaces
of the retainer or rear case. The surfaces could be
damaged.
Fig. 1 Extension Housing Removal
Fig. 2 Rear Bearing Snap Ring Removal
Fig. 3 Rear Retainer Removal
Fig. 4 Loosening Rear Case
JNP231 TRANSFER CASE 21 - 277

(11) Remove oil pump and rear case as an assem-
bly (Fig. 5).
(12) Slide oil screen out of case pocket. Disconnect
screen from pickup tube and remove screen (Fig. 6).
(13) Remove pickup tube from oil pump (Fig. 6).
(14) Remove oil pump from rear case.
(15) Remove pickup tube O-ring from oil pump
(Fig. 7).
(16)The oil pump can be disassembled for
cleaning and inspection as described in steps(17) and (18). However, the pump parts are NOT
serviceable separately. If any pump component
is worn, or damaged, the pump must be re-
placed as an assembly.
(17) If oil pump will be disassembled for inspec-
tion, mark position of oil pump housings for reference
(Fig. 8). Remove screws that attach two halves of the
pump. Then remove feed housing from gear housing
(Fig. 8).
(18) Mark position of pump gears and remove
them from housing (Fig. 8).
(19) Remove mode spring (Fig. 9).
(20) Tap front output shaft upward with a rawhide
mallet to free it from shaft bearing.
(21) Remove front output shaft and drive chain as
assembly (Fig. 10).
Fig. 5 Rear Case And Oil Pump Removal
Fig. 6 Removing Oil Screen And Pickup Tube 16
Fig. 7 Pickup Tube O-Ring Location
Fig. 8 Oil Pump Components
21 - 278 NP231 TRANSFER CASEJ