1995 JEEP CHEROKEE Back

(2) Wrap a single layer of plastic tape around the
pitman shaft threads and splines. This will protect
the replacement seals during installation.
(3) Install the seal with a suitable size socket.
(4) Remove the tape from the shaft.
(5) Center the steering gear.
(6) Align and install the pitman arm.
(7) Install the washer and retaining nut on the pit-
man shaft. Tighten the nut to 251 Nzm (185 ft. lbs.)
torque.
GEAR ADJUSTMENTS IN VEHICLE
REMOVE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Mark the pitman shaft and pitman arm for in-
stallation reference. Remove the pitman arm from
the shaft.
(3) Loosen the adjuster lock nut then back the ad-
juster plug off 1/4 turn.
(4) Remove the steering wheel horn pad.
(5) Turn the steering wheel in one direction until
stopped by the gear. Then turn back 1/2 turn.
CAUTION: Do not turn the steering wheel hard
against the internal stops when the linkage is re-
moved. This could result in damage to the recircu-
lating ball guides.
MEASURE
Place a low calibration (50 in. lbs.) torque wrench
and socket on the steering wheel nut. Rotate the
wrench and nut through a 90 degree arc (1/4 turn).
This will measure the worm shaft bearing preload.
ADJUST WORMSHAFT BEARING PRELOAD
TORQUE
(1) Adjust the preload by tightening the adjuster
plug. The preload should be 0.6 to 1 Nzm(5to8in.
lbs.) torque.
Steering column/shaft misalignment or damage will
increase the amount of torque required to rotate the
steering wheel. If the rotating torque is exceptionally
high, inspect the steering column/shaft alignment. If
the alignment is correct, remove the steering gear,
determine the cause of the high preload torque, and
repair as necessary.
(2) Tighten the adjuster locknut to 68 Nzm (50 ft.
lbs.) torque. Measure the preload torque. If neces-
sary, adjust the preload torque again.
ADJUST OVERCENTER DRAG TORQUE
(1) Turn the steering wheel from one stop to the
other and count the total numbers of turns. Turn the
wheel back in reverse direction 1/2 the total number
of turns to center the steering gear.(2) Turn the over center adjusting screw in to re-
move all lash between the ball nut and pitman shaft
sector teeth. Hold the adjustment screw and tighten
the lock nut to 34 Nzm (25 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Check the torque at the steering wheel by tak-
ing the highest reading as the wheel is turned
through the center position.
(4) The overcenter drag torque should be 0.5 to 1
Nzm (4 to 10 in. lbs.).
(5) If necessary, loosen the lock nut and adjust the
over center adjuster screw to obtain the proper
torque. Re-tighten the lock nut to the lock nut.
(6) After tightening the locknut, measure the over-
center drag torque again and readjust the torque, if
necessary.
INSTALL
(1) Align the installation reference marks and in-
stall the pitman arm.
(2) Install and tighten the pitman shaft nut and
washer to 251 Nzm (185 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install the horn button.
GEAR DISASSEMBLY
(1) Rotate the wormshaft from stop-to-stop and
count the number of rotations. Rotate the wormshaft
in the reverse direction 1/2 of the total number of ro-
tations to center it and the ball nut.
(2) Remove the pitman shaft adjustment screw
locknut. Remove the cover retaining bolts, cover, and
gasket (Fig. 3).
(3) Slide the adjustment screw head (Fig. 3) out of
the pitman shaft T-slot and remove it and the
shim(s).
(4) Retain the shim(s) for end-play measurement
during assembly.
(5) Remove the pitman shaft, the wormshaft bear-
ing preload torque adjustment cap locknut, and the
adjustment cap (Fig. 2).
(6) Remove the wormshaft and the ball nut (Fig.
2).
(7) Remove (pry) the pitman shaft and the worm-
shaft seals from the steering gear housing (Fig. 3).
WORMSHAFT AND BALL NUT DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove the upper bearing from the wormshaft
(Fig. 2).
CAUTION: Do not allow the ball nut to rotate freely
and travel to either extreme end of the wormshaft.
This could damage the tangs at the ends of the re-
circulating ball guides (Fig. 3).
(2) Remove the recirculating ball guide clamp re-
taining screws, the clamp and the guides (Fig. 2).
Separate the half-guides and place the recirculating
balls aside in a container.
JSTEERING 19 - 39

(3) Hold the ball nut over a cloth. Remove the re-
maining recirculating balls by rotating the worm-
shaft back and forth.
There are a total of 50 recirculating balls
within the ball nut and the guides (25 in each
circuit).
(4) Remove the wormshaft from the ball nut (Fig.
2).
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
(1) Clean all the components in a cleaning solvent
and dry them with a clean cloth and/or compressed
air.
(2) Inspect each component for wear, scoring,
cracks, nicks and surface pitting. Replace as neces-
sary.
WORMSHAFT AND BALL NUT ASSEMBLY
CAUTION: The ball nut teeth are wider and deeper
on one side than on the other.
(1) Position the ball nut with the recirculating ball
guide holes facing upward and the ball nut teeth fac-
ing downward. Install the wormshaft in the ball nut.
Rotate the shaft and thread it into the nut until an
equal number of shaft threads are visible at each end
of the nut (Fig. 4).
(2) Install one recirculating ball in each ball guide
hole. Move the wormshaft up/down and side-to-side
until the balls roll into the ball nut threads at the
bottom of wormshaft and support the wormshaft.
(3) Assemble and install the ball guides in the ball
nut (Fig. 5).(4) Divide the remaining 48 recirculating balls into
two groups and install 24 balls in each ball nut cir-
cuit. Insert the balls in the ball nut circuits through
the holes in the ball guides (Fig. 5).
To aid the recirculating ball installation, ro-
tate wormshaft back and forth slightly while in-
serting the balls.
(5) Place the ball guide clamp on the ball nut and
install the clamp retaining screws. Tighten the
screws to 14 Nzm (10 ft. lbs.) torque.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the tangs on the ball
guide ends, do not allow the wormshaft to travel to
the end of the thread in either direction.
Fig. 3 Shaft Seal RemovalFig. 4 Wormshaft & Ball Nut
Fig. 5 Recirculating Ball Installation
JSTEERING 19 - 41

(6) Install the wormshaft bearing adjustment cap
in the housing and tighten it only enough to remove
the wormshaft end-play.
(7) Install the locknut on the wormshaft bearing
adjustment cap but do not tighten it at this time.
(8) Pack the steering gear housing with as much
chassis lubricant as possible.
Rotate the wormshaft in one direction until
the ball nut ceases. Pack the end of the housing
full of lubricant, rotate the shaft in the opposite
direction and repeat the packing procedure.
(9) Place the ball nut (Fig. 12) in the centered po-
sition, rotate the wormshaft from stop-to-stop and
count the number of rotations. Rotate wormshaft in
the reverse direction 1/2 of the number of rotations to
center the ball nut.
(10) Lubricate the pitman shaft with chassis lubri-
cant and insert it in the steering gear housing. En-
gage the center tooth on the shaft with the center
groove on the ball nut.
(11) Apply chassis lubricant to the replacement
housing cover gasket. Position it so that it surrounds
the housing cover opening.
(12) Place the shim(s) on the adjustment screw
and thread the screw into the cover to a depth of 2 to
3 threads.
(13) Slide the head of the adjustment screw into
the pitman shaft T-slot. With the cover in place, ro-
tate the screw counterclockwise to thread it into the
cover. Rotate the screw until the cover almost comes
in contact with the gasket.
(14) Install the cover retaining bolts finger tight
only. Continue tightening the adjustment screw coun-terclockwise until cover is tight against the gasket,
then loosen the screw 1/2 rotation.
(15) Tighten the cover bolts to 61 Nzm (45 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(16) Install the pitman shaft seal, refer to the re-
placement procedure.
(17) Rotate the wormshaft and observe the steer-
ing gear operation. With the adjustment screw and
cap loose, the wormshaft should rotate freely and not
bind. If the steering gear binds, repair as necessary.
(18) Inspect for lubricant leakage from the shaft
seals. If there is a leak at either seal, replace the de-
fective seal(s).
GEAR ADJUSTMENTS ON BENCH
WORM BEARING PRELOAD
(1) Tighten the worm bearing adjuster plug until it
bottoms, then loosen 1/4 turn.
(2) Carefully turn the wormshaft all the way to the
end of travel, then turn back 1/2 turn.
(3) Tighten adjuster plug until torque wrench indi-
cates 0.6 to 1.0 Nzm (5 to 8 in. lbs.) torque (Fig. 13).
(4) Tighten the adjuster plug locknut to 68 Nzm (50
ft. lbs.) torque.
OVER-CENTER PRELOAD
(1) Back off preload adjuster until it stops, then
turn it in one full turn.
(2) With gear at center of travel, check torque to
turn stub shaft. This will be reading #1 (Fig. 14).
(3) Turn adjuster in until torque to turn stub shaft
is 0.5 to 1 Nzm (4 to 10 in. lbs.) more than reading
#1.
Fig. 12 Pitman Shaft & Ball Nut Engagement
Fig. 13 Worm Bearing Preload Adjustment
19 - 44 STEERINGJ

AIRBAG MODULE REMOVEÐINSTALL
WARNING: THIS AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPT-
ING TO REMOVE OR INSTALL THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL AND
STEERING COLUMN COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISARM THE AIRBAG FIRING MECHANISM.
FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDEN-
TAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL IN-
JURY.
When removing a deployed airbag module,
rubber gloves, eye protection and long-sleeved
shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on
the airbag module and other interior surfaces,
which can cause irritation to the skin and eyes
in large doses.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable and isolate.
(2) Using a small screwdriver, remove plastic cover
plug from top outer surface of steering wheel hub
(Fig 2). Exit vehicle and disarm airbag by reaching
through driver's side window and turning arming
screw counter-clockwise to its travel limit (Fig 3 and
4 ). This is done using an 8mm socket and manual
drive. DO NOT USE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS.
(3) From back side of steering wheel, remove 4
nuts attaching airbag module to steering wheel (Fig.
5). This is done using a 10mm socket and manual
drive. DO NOT USE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS.
(4) Remove airbag module from steering wheel.
(5) Reverse removal procedures to install. Tighten
airbag module attaching nuts to 9 to 11 Nzm (80 to
100 in. lbs.). Exit vehicle and arm airbag by reaching
through driver's side window and turning arming
screw clockwise to its travel limit. Arming screw
torque should not exceed 1.1 to 1.7 Nzm (10-15 in.
lbs.). Reinstall plastic cover plug in steering wheel
hub.
STEERING WHEEL
WARNING: BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE OR
INSTALL THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN COM-
PONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISARM THE AIRBAG
FIRING MECHANISM. WHEN SERVICING AIR BAG
SYSTEM, REMOVE AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (-) CABLE (GROUND) FROM THE VEHI-
CLE BATTERY. YOU MUST DISARM THE AIRBAG
FIRING MECHANISM. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE INJURY. WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED
AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IS TO BE REMOVED FROM
THE STEERING WHEEL, DISCONNECT THE BAT-
TERY GROUND CABLE AND ISOLATE. THE ARMING
SCREW MUST BE USED TO DISARM THE AIRBAG.
REMOVAL
(1) Make sure the front wheels are in thestraight
aheadposition and steering column locked in place.
Fig. 2 Plastic Cover Plug for Airbag Arming/
Disarming Bolt
Fig. 3 Arming/Disarming Bolt
Fig. 4 Airbag Bolt
JSTEERING 19 - 49

(21) Remove clutch release bearing, release fork
and retainer clip.
(22) Remove clutch housing from transmission.
TRANSMISSION INSTALLATION
(1) Install clutch housing on transmission. Tighten
housing bolts to 37 Nzm (27 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Lubricate contact surfaces of release fork pivot
ball stud and release fork with high temp grease.
Then install release bearing, fork and retainer clip.
(3) Mount transmission on transmission jack.
(4) Lightly lubricate pilot bearing and transmis-
sion input shaft splines with Mopar high temp
grease.
(5) Align transmission input shaft, release bearing,
and clutch disc splines. Then slide transmission into
place.
(6) Install and tighten clutch housing-to-engine
bolts to 38 Nzm (28 ft. lbs.) torque.Be sure the
housing is properly seated on engine block be-
fore tightening bolts.
(7) Lower transmission approximately 7-8 cm (3
in.) for access to shift tower. Be sure transmission is
in first or third gear.
(8) Reach up and around transmission and insert
shift lever in shift tower. Press lever retainer down-
ward and turn it clockwise to lock it in place. Then
install lever dust boot on shift tower.
(9) Install slave cylinder in clutch housing.
(10) Align and install transfer case on and trans-
mission. Tighten transfer case-to-transmission nuts
to 35 Nzm (26 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Connect transfer case vent hose and shift link-
age. Check and adjust linkage if necessary.
(12) Connect transfer case vent hose.
(13) Secure wire harnesses in clips/tie straps on
transmission and transfer case.
(14) Connect backup light switch wires.
(15) Connect vehicle speed sensor wires.
(16) Install and connect crankshaft position sensor.
(17) Install rear crossmember (Fig. 5). On XJ,
tighten crossmember-to-frame bolts to 41 Nzm (31 ft.
lbs.) torque. Then tighten transmission-to-rear sup-
port bolts/nuts to 45 Nzm (33 ft. lbs.) torque. On YJ,
tighten bolts/nuts to indicated torque (Fig. 5).
(18) Remove jack stand.
(19) Align and install front/rear propeller shafts.
Tighten shaft U-joint clamp bolts to 19 Nzm (170 in.
lbs.) torque.
(20) Install skid plate, if equipped. Tighten bolts to
42 Nzm (31 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten stud nuts to 17
Nzm (150 in. lbs.) torque.
(21) Top off transmission and transfer case lubri-
cant levels.
(22) Lower vehicle.
TRANSMISSION DISASSEMBLY AND OVERHAUL
ADAPTER HOUSING AND FRONT BEARING
RETAINER REMOVAL
(1) Drain transmission lubricant.
(2) Remove release bearing and lever.
(3) Remove clutch housing bolts and remove hous-
ing.
(4) On 2-wheel drive models, remove vehicle speed
sensor, speedometer adapter and speedometer driven
gear. Then remove extension housing seal (Fig. 1).
(5) Remove detent spring and ball. Remove detent
plug (Fig. 2) and remove detent spring and ball with
pencil magnet.
Fig. 1 Removing 2-Wheel Drive Extension Housing
Seal
Fig. 2 Detent Ball Plug Location
JAX 4/5 MANUAL TRANSMISSION 21 - 5

(10) Install lock ball and spring in housing. Then
apply sealer to ball plug and install plug (Fig. 91).
Tighten plug to 19 Nzm (14 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Install reverse pins in housing (Fig. 92).
Tighten pins to 27 Nzm (20 ft. lbs.) torque.(12) Install shift tower and new gasket on housing
(Fig. 93). Tighten tower bolts to 18 Nzm (13 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(13) Install backup lamp switch (Fig. 93). Tighten
switch to 37 Nzm (27 ft. lbs.) torque.
(14) On 2-wheel drive models, install new seal in
extension housing (Fig. 94).
(15) Install vehicle speed sensor. Refer to proce-
dure in In-Vehicle Service section.
(16) Install clutch housing, release bearing, release
fork and retainer clip.
Fig. 91 Installing Ball Plug
Fig. 92 Install Reverse Pins
Fig. 93 Installing Shift Tower And Backup Lamp
Switch
Fig. 94 Extension Housing Seal InstallationÐ2WD
Models
21 - 32 AX 4/5 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONJ

The first number is year of manufacture. The sec-
ond and third numbers indicate month of manufac-
ture. The next series of numbers is the transmission
serial number.
TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN
The AX 15 shift pattern is shown in Figure 3. First
and second and third and fourth gear ranges are in
line for improved shifting. Fifth and reverse gear
ranges are also in line at the extreme right of the
pattern (Fig. 3).
The AX 15 is equipped with a reverse lockout
mechanism. The shift lever must be moved through
the Neutral detent before making a shift to reverse.
TRANSMISSION LUBRICANT
Recommended lubricant for AX 15 transmissions is
Mopar 75W-90, API Grade GL-5 gear lubricant, or
equivalent.
Correct lubricant level is from the bottom edge, to
no more than 6 mm (1/4 in.) below the bottom edge of
the fill plug hole.
Approximate dry fill lubricant capacity is:
²3.10 liters (3.27 qts.) in 4-wheel drive models
²3.15 liters (3.32 qts.) in 2-wheel drive models
TRANSMISSION SWITCH AND PLUG LOCATIONS
The fill plug is at the driver side of the gear case
(Fig. 4).
The drain plug and backup light switch are on the
passenger side of the gear case (Fig. 5).
TRANSMISSION GEAR RATIOS
AX 15 gear ratios are:
First gear - 3.83:1
Second gear - 2.33:1
Third gear - 1.44:1
Fourth gear - 1.00:1
Fifth gear - 0.79:1
Reverse - 4.22:1
SERVICE DIAGNOSIS
LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL
A low transmission lubricant level is generally the
result of a leak, inadequate lubricant fill, or an incor-
rect lubricant level check.
Leaks can occur at the mating surfaces of the gear
case, intermediate plate and adapter or extension
housing, or from the front/rear seals. A suspected
leak could also be the result of an overfill condition.
Leaks at the rear of the extension or adapter hous-
ing will be from the housing oil seals. Leaks at com-
ponent mating surfaces will usually be the result of
inadequate sealer, gaps in the sealer, incorrect bolt
tightening, or use of a non-recommended sealer.
A leak at the front of the transmission will be from
either the front bearing retainer or retainer seal. Lu-
bricant may be seen dripping from the clutch housing
after extended operation. If the leak is severe, it may
also contaminate the clutch disc causing slip, grab
and chatter.
Transmissions filled from air or electrically pow-
ered lubricant containers can be underfilled. This
Fig. 3 AX 15 Shift Pattern
Fig. 4 Fill Plug Location
Fig. 5 Drain Plug/Backup Light Switch Location
21 - 34 AX 15 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONJ

(6) Install and tighten clutch housing-to-engine
bolts to 38 Nzm (28 ft. lbs.) torque.Be sure housing
is properly seated on engine before tightening
bolts.
(7) Lower transmission no more than 7.6 cm (3 in.)
for access to the shift tower.
(8) Reach up and around the transmission and in-
sert shift lever in shift tower. Press lever retainer
downward and turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Then install lever dust boot on shift tower.
(9) Install and connect crankshaft position sensor.
(10) Align and install transfer case on transmis-
sion. Tighten transfer case attaching nuts to 35 Nzm
(26 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Connect transfer case vacuum and vent hoses.
(12) Install and connect transfer case shift linkage.
Check and adjust linkage if necessary.
(13) Secure wire harnesses to clips/tie straps on
transmission and transfer case.
(14) Connect backup light switch wires.
(15) Install clutch slave cylinder.
(16) Connect vehicle speed sensor wires.
(17) On XJ, install rear crossmember and attach
cushion and bracket. Tighten crossmember-to-frame
bolts to 41 Nzm (30 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten transmis-
sion-to-rear cushion and bracket bolts/nuts to 45 Nzm
(33 ft. lbs.) torque.
(18) On YJ, install rear cushion and bracket and
skid plate. Tighten attaching bolts/nuts to indicated
torque (Fig. 1).
(19) Align and install front/rear propeller shafts.
Tighten shaft U-joint clamp bolts to 19 Nzm (170 in.
lbs.) torque.
(20) On XJ, install skid plate if removed. Tighten
bolts to 42 Nzm (31 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten stud nuts
to 17 Nzm (150 in. lbs.) torque.
(21) Top off transmission and transfer lubricant
levels.
(22) Remove supports and lower vehicle.
TRANSMISSION DISASSEMBLY AND OVERHAUL
ADAPTER HOUSING REMOVAL
(1) Remove release bearing, release lever and re-
lease fork from clutch housing. Then remove clutch
housing from transmission.
(2) Remove backup light switch. Then remove
drain plug (Fig. 1) and drain transmission lubricant
into pan.
(3) Remove shift tower bolts and remove tower
from adapter or extension housing (Fig. 2).
(4) Remove gasket from shift tower (Fig. 3).
Fig. 1 Drain Plug And Backup Light Switch Location
Fig. 2 Shift Tower Removal/Installation
Fig. 3 Shift Tower Gasket Removal/Installation
JAX 15 MANUAL TRANSMISSION 21 - 37