1995 JEEP CHEROKEE torque

The shock absorber bushings do not require any
type of lubrication. Do not lubricate the bushings to
reduce bushing noise. Grease or mineral oil-base lu-
bricants will deteriorate the bushing rubber.
The shock absorbers are not refillable or adjustable.
If a malfunction occurs, the shock absorber must be
replaced. To test a shock absorber, hold it in an up-
right position and force the piston into and out of the
cylinder four or five times. The action throughout
each stroke should be smooth and even.
SHOCK ABSORBER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the nut, retainer and grommet from the
upper stud on the frame bracket (Fig. 3).
(2) Raise and support the vehicle.
(3) Remove the nut, washers and bolt from the
shock absorber lower eye (Fig.3).
(4) Remove the shock absorber.
(5) Remove the remaining grommet and retainer
from the shock absorber stud.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the lower retainer and grommet on the
upper stud. Insert the shock absorber through the
shock tower hole.
(2) Install the lower bolts and nuts. Tighten the
nuts to 61 Nzm (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(3) Install the upper grommet and retainer on the
stud on the frame bracket. Install the nut and tighten
to 12 Nzm (9 ft. lbs.) torque.
LEAF SPRING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle.
(2) Support the vehicle with jack stands placed un-
der the frame.
(3) Position a hydraulic jack under the axle. Raise
the axle to relieve the axle weight from the springs.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar links attaching nut.
(5) Remove the nuts, the U-bolts and spring
bracket from the axle.
(6) Remove the nut and bolt that attaches the
spring front eye to the shackle (Fig. 3).
(7) Remove the nut and bolt from the spring rear
eye.
(8) Remove the spring from the vehicle.
The spring can be disassembled by removing
the spring clips and the center bolt. If the
spring bushings require replacement, refer to
the bushing removal and installation proce-
dures.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the spring front eye in the shackle.
Loosely install the attaching bolt and nut. Do not
tighten at this time.
(2) Position the rear eye in the hanger bracket.
Loosely install the attaching bolt and nut (Fig. 3). Do
not tighten at this time.
(3) Position the axle. Install the spring bracket,
U-bolts and nuts (Fig. 3). Tighten the U-bolt nuts to
122 Nzm (90 ft. lbs.) torque.
(4) Attach the stabilizer bar links.
(5) Remove the hydraulic jack.
Fig. 2 Stabilizer BarFig. 3 Spring & Shock Absorber
2 - 16 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

(6) Remove the support stands and lower the vehi-
cle.
(7) Tighten the front shackle plate nut (Fig. 3) to
135 Nzm (100 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) Tighten the rear eye bracket nut to 142 Nzm
(105 ft. lbs.) torque.
LEAF SPRING EYE BUSHING REPLACEMENT
(1) Assemble tools shown (Fig. 4). Tighten the nut
located at the socket wrench end of the threaded rod
until the bushing is forced out.
(2) Assemble and align the bushing installation
tools.
(3) Align the bushing with the spring eye and
tighten the nut located at the socket wrench end of
the threaded rod. Tighten until the bushing is forced
into the spring eye.
The bushing must be centered in the spring
eye. The ends of the bushing must be flush or
slightly recessed within the end surfaces of the
spring eye.
Fig. 4 Spring Eye Bushing Removal
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 17

AXLE NOISE/VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS
INDEX
page page
Driveline Snap........................... 19
Gear and Bearing Noise.................... 18
General Information....................... 18Low Speed Knock......................... 19
Vibration................................ 19
GENERAL INFORMATION
Axle bearing problem conditions are usually caused
by:
²Insufficient or incorrect lubricant
²Foreign matter/water contamination
²Incorrect bearing preload torque adjustment
²Incorrect backlash (to tight)
When serviced, the bearings must be cleaned thor-
oughly. They should be dried with lint-free shop tow-
els.Never dry bearings with compressed air.
This will overheat them and brinell the bearing
surfaces. This will result in noisy operation af-
ter repair.
Axle gear problem conditions are usually the result
of:
²Insufficient lubrication
²Incorrect or contaminated lubricant
²Overloading (excessive engine torque) or exceeding
vehicle weight capacity
²Incorrect clearance or backlash adjustment
Insufficient lubrication is usually the result of a
housing cover leak. It can also be from worn axle
shaft or pinion gear seals. Check for cracks or porous
areas in the housing or tubes.
Using the wrong lubricant will cause overheating
and gear failure. Gear tooth cracking and bearing
spalling are indicators of this.
Axle component breakage is most often the result
of:
²Severe overloading
²Insufficient lubricant
²Incorrect lubricant
²Improperly tightened components
Overloading occurs when towing heavier than rec-
ommended loads. Component breakage can occur
when the wheels are spun excessively. Incorrect lu-
bricant quantity contributes to breakage. Loose dif-
ferential components can also cause breakage.
Incorrect bearing preload or gear backlash will not
result in component breakage. Mis-adjustment will
produce enough noise to cause service repair before a
failure occurs. If a mis-adjustment condition is not
corrected, component failure can result.
Excessive bearing preload may not be noisy. This
condition will cause high temperature which can re-
sult in bearing failure.
GEAR AND BEARING NOISE
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubri-
cant. Incorrect backlash, tooth contact, or worn/dam-
aged gears can cause noise.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The range is 30 to 40 mph, or above 50 mph.
The noise can also occur during a specific type of
driving condition. These conditions are acceleration,
deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, accelerate the vehicle to the
speed range where the noise is the greatest. Shift
out-of-gear and coast through the peak-noise range.
If the noise stops or changes greatly, check for insuf-
ficient lubricant. Incorrect ring gear backlash, or
gear damage can cause noise changes.
Differential side and pinion gears can be checked
by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause
noise in straight-ahead driving. These gears are
loaded during vehicle turns. If noise does occur dur-
ing vehicle turns, the side or pinion gears could be
worn or damaged. A worn pinion gear mate shaft can
also cause a snapping or a knocking noise.
BEARING NOISE
The axle shaft, differential and pinion gear bear-
ings can all produce noise when worn or damaged.
Bearing noise can be either a whining, or a growling
sound.
Pinion gear bearings have a constant-pitch noise.
This noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion
bearing noise will be higher because it rotates at a
faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differen-
tial. If bearing noise occurs the pinion rear bearing is
the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is heard
during a coast, front bearing is the source.
Worn, damaged differential bearings usually pro-
duce a low pitch noise. Differential bearing noise is
similar to pinion bearing. The pitch of differential
bearing noise is also constant and varies only with
vehicle speed.
2 - 18 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

CAUTION: If axle is submerged in water, lubricant
must be replaced immediately to avoid possible
premature axle failure.
LUBRICANT CHANGE
The gear lubricant will drain quicker if the vehicle
has been recently driven.
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the dif-
ferential housing cover.
(3) Remove the differential housing cover and
drain the lubricant from the housing.
(4) Clean the housing cavity with a flushing oil,
light engine oil or lint free cloth.Do not use water,
steam, kerosene or gasoline for cleaning.
(5) Remove the sealant from the housing and cover
surfaces. Use solvent to clean the mating surfaces.
(6) Apply a bead of MOPARtSilicone Rubber Seal-
ant to the housing cover (Fig. 1).Allow the sealant
to cure for a few minutes.
Install the housing cover within 5 minutes af-
ter applying the sealant. If not installed the
sealant must be removed and another bead ap-
plied.
(7) Install the cover and any identification tag.
Tighten the cover bolts in a criss-cross pattern to 41
Nzm (30 ft. lbs.) torque.
(8) Refill the differential with MOPARtHypoid
Gear Lubricant to bottom of the fill plug hole.
(9) Install the fill hole plug and lower the vehicle.
DRIVE AXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTÐXJ
VEHICLES
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle and position support stands
under the frame rails behind the lower suspension
arm frame brackets.
(2) Remove the front wheels.
(3) Remove the brake components and ABS brake
sensor (if equipped). Refer to Group 5ÐBrakes.
(4) On 4WD vehicles, disconnect the axle vent
hose.
(5) On 4WD vehicles, mark the drive shaft yoke
and axle pinion yoke for alignment reference. Discon-
nect the drive shaft from the axle.
(6) Disconnect the stabilizer bar link at the axle
bracket.
(7) Disconnect the shock absorbers from axle
bracket.
(8) Disconnect the track bar from the axle bracket.
(9) Disconnect the tie rod and drag link from the
steering knuckle. Disconnect the steering damper
from the axle bracket.
(10) Support the axle with a hydraulic jack under
the differential.
(11) Disconnect the upper and lower suspension
arms from the axle bracket.
(12) Lower the jack enough to remove the axle.
The coil springs will drop with the axle.
(13) Remove the coil springs from the axle bracket.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber
bushings should be tightened with the vehicle at
normal height. It is important to have the springs
supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fas-
teners are torqued. If springs are not at their normal
ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected
and premature bushing wear may occur. Rubber
bushings must never be lubricated.
(1) Install the springs and retainer clip. Tighten
the retainer bolts to 21 Nzm (16 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Support the axle on a hydraulic jack under the
differential. Position the axle under the vehicle.
(3) Raise the axle with a floor jack and align it
with the spring pads.
(4) Position the upper and lower suspension arm at
the axle bracket. Install bolts and nuts finger
tighten.
(5) Connect the track bar to the axle bracket and
install the bolt.Do not tighten at this time.
It is important that the springs support the
weight of the vehicle when the track bar is con-
nected. If springs are not at their usual posi-
tion, vehicle ride comfort could be affected.
Fig. 1 Typical Housing Cover With Sealant
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 23

(6) Install the shock absorber and tighten the bolt
to 23 Nzm (17 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Install the stabilizer bar link to the axle
bracket. Tighten the nut to 95 Nzm (70 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(8) Install the drag link and tie rod to the steering
knuckles and tighten the nuts to 47 Nzm (35 ft. lbs.)
torque. Install the steering damper to the axle
bracket and tighten the nut to 75 Nzm (55 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(9) Install the brake components and ABS brake
sensor (if equipped). Refer to Group 5ÐBrakes.
(10) On 4WD vehicles, connect the vent hose to the
tube fitting.
(11) On 4WD vehicles, align the reference marks
and connect the drive shaft to the axle yoke. Tighten
the U-joint clamp bolts to 19 Nzm (14 ft. lbs.) torque.
(12) Check differential lubricant and add if neces-
sary.
(13) Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
(14) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(15) Tighten the upper suspension arm nuts to 75
Nzm (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten the lower suspension
arm nuts to 115 Nzm (85 ft. lbs.) torque.
(16) Tighten the track bar bolt at the axle bracket
to 100 Nzm (74 ft. lbs.) torque.
(17) Check the front wheel alignment.
DRIVE AXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTÐYJ
VEHICLES
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle and position support stands
under the frame rails behind the spring frame brack-
ets.
(2) Remove the front wheels.
(3) Remove the brake components and ABS brake
sensor (if equipped). Refer to Group 5ÐBrakes.
(4) Disconnect the axle vent hose and axle shift
motor vacuum harness.
(5) Mark the drive shaft yoke and axle pinion yoke
for alignment reference. Disconnect the drive shaft
from the axle.
(6) Disconnect the stabilizer bar link at the axle
bracket.
(7) Disconnect the shock absorbers from axle
bracket.
(8) Disconnect the track bar from the axle bracket.
(9) Disconnect the tie rod from the steering
knuckle. Disconnect the steering damper from the
axle bracket.
(10) Support the axle with a hydraulic jack under
the differential. Raise the axle just enough to relieve
the axle weight from the springs.
(11) Remove the spring U-bolts from the plate
brackets.(12) Loosen BUT DO NOT REMOVE the bolts that
attach the spring rear pivot at the frame rail brack-
ets. This will allow the springs to pivot without bind-
ing on the bushings.
(13) Disconnect shackle from the springs and lower
the springs to the surface.
(14) Lower the jack enough to remove the axle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber
bushings should be tightened with the vehicle at
normal height. It is important to have the springs
supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fas-
teners are torqued. If springs are not at their normal
ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected
and premature bushing wear may occur. Rubber
bushings must never be lubricated.
(1) Support the axle on a hydraulic jack under the
differential. Position the axle under the vehicle.
(2) Raise the springs and install the spring shackle
bolts.Do not tighten at this time.
(3) Lower the axle and align the spring center
bolts with the locating holes in the axle pads and
plate brackets.
(4) Install the spring U-bolts through the plate
brackets and tighten to 122 Nzm (90 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Connect the track bar to the axle bracket and
install the bolt.Do not tighten at this time.
It is important that the springs support the
weight of the vehicle when the track bar is con-
nected. If springs are not at their usual posi-
tion, the vehicle ride comfort could be affected.
(6) Install the shock absorber and tighten the nut
to 61 Nzm (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Install the stabilizer bar link to the axle
bracket. Tighten the nut to 61 Nzm (45 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(8) Install the tie rod to the steering knuckles and
tighten the nuts to 47 Nzm (35 ft. lbs.) torque. Install
the steering damper to the axle bracket and tighten
the bolt to 75 Nzm (55 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) Install the brake components and ABS brake
sensor (if equipped). Refer to Group 5ÐBrakes.
(10) Connect the vent hose to the tube fitting and
axle shift motor vacuum harness.
(11) Align the reference marks and connect the
drive shaft to the axle yoke. Tighten the U-joint
clamp bolts to 19 Nzm (14 ft. lbs.) torque.
(12) Check differential lubricant and add if neces-
sary.
(13) Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
(15) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(16) Tighten the spring rear pivot bolt/nut to 142
Nzm (105 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten the spring shackle
bolt/nut to 135 Nzm (100 ft. lbs.) torque.
2 - 24 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

(17) Tighten the track bar nut at the axle bracket
to 100 Nzm (74 ft. lbs.) torque.
(18) Check the front wheel alignment.
PINION SEAL REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(3) Mark the propeller shaft yoke and pinion yoke
for installation alignment reference.
(4) Remove the propeller shaft from the yoke.
(5) Remove the pinion yoke nut and washer. Use
Remover C-452 and Wrench C-3281 to remove the
pinion yoke (Fig. 2).
(6) Mark the positions of the yoke and pinion gear
for installation alignment reference.
(7) Use Remover 7794A and slide hammer to re-
move the pinion gear seal (Fig. 3).
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal. Install seal with Installer D-163
and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 4).
(2) Align the reference marks and install yoke on
the pinion gear with Installer W-162-D.
(3) Install a new pinion nut on pinion shaft.Tighten
the nut to 217-352 Nzm (160-260 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 5).
(4) Align the installation reference marks and at-
tach the propeller shaft to the yoke.
(5) Add API grade GL 5 hypoid gear lubricant to
the differential housing, if necessary.
(6) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
HUB BEARING AND AXLE SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the brake components from the axle,
refer to Group 5, Brakes.
(4) Remove the cotter pin, nut retainer and axle
hub nut (Fig. 6).
(5) Remove the hub to knuckle bolts (Fig. 6). Remove
the hub from the steering knuckle and axle shaft.
(6) Remove the disc brake rotor shield from the
bearing carrier (Fig. 6).
(7) On disconnect axles, remove vacuum shift mo-
tor housing. Refer to Vacuum Disconnect Axle in this
section.
(8) Remove the axle shaft from the housing.Avoid
damaging the axle shaft oil seals in the differen-
tial.
Fig. 2 Pinion Yoke Removal
Fig. 3 Seal Removal
Fig. 4 Pinion Seal Installation
JFRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE 2 - 25

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 SHAFTÐCARDAN 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.
Fig. 6 Hub, Knuckle and Axle Shaft
Fig. 7 Axle Shaft Outer U-Joint
2 - 26 FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLEJ

SHIFT MOTORÐREMOVAL/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 - 31