
AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove brake caliper, rotor and ABS wheel
speed sensor if equipped. Refer to 5 Brakes for pro-
cedures.
(4) Remove the cotter pin and axle hub nut.
(5) Remove hub bearing bolts (Fig. 21) and remove
hub bearing from the steering knuckle.
(6) Remove brake dust shield from knuckle.
(7) Remove axle shaft from the housing. Avoid
damaging the axle shaft oil seal.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean axle shaft and apply a thin film of
Mopar Wheel Bearing Grease to the shaft splines,
seal contact surface, hub bore.
(2) Install axle shaft into the housing and differen-
tial side gears. Avoid damaging axle shaft oil seals in
the differential.
(3) Install dust shield and hub bearing on knuckle.
(4) Install hub bearing bolts and tighten to 170
N´m (125 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install axle washer and nut, tighten nut to 237
N´m (175 ft. lbs.). Align nut to next cotter pin hole
and install new cotter pin.
(6) Install ABS wheel speed sensor, brake rotor
and caliper. Refer to Brakes for proper procedures.
(7) Install wheel and tire assembly.
(8) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
BLOCK, ADAPTER ± C-239-37
BLOCK, ADAPTER ± C-239-62
HOLDER, YOKE - 6719A
PINION DEPTH, SET ± 6730
Fig. 21 HUB AND KNUCKLE
1 - KNUCKLE
2 - HUB BEARING
BR/BEFRONT AXLE - 248FBI 3 - 29
FRONT AXLE - 248FBI (Continued)

(5) Position the yoke with the sockets in a vise
(Fig. 30).
(6) Tighten the vise jaws to force the bearing cap
into the larger socket (receiver).
(7) Release the vise jaws. Remove the sockets and
bearing cap that was partially forced out of the yoke.
(8) Repeat the above procedure for the remaining
bearing cap and remove spider from the propeller
shaft yoke.
INSTALLATION
(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.
(3) Place the socket (driver) against one bearing
cap. Position the yoke with the socket in a vise.
(4) Tighten the vise to force the bearing caps into
the yoke. Force the caps enough to install the retain-
ing clips.
(5) Install the bearing cap retaining clips.
(6) Install axle shaft.
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(3) Remove brake calipers and rotors
(4) Mark the propeller shaft and pinion yoke for
installation reference.
(5) Remove the propeller shaft from the yoke.
(6) Rotate the pinion gear three or four times.
(7) Measure the amount of torque necessary to
rotate the pinion gear with a (in. lbs.) dial-type
torque wrench. Record the torque reading for instal-
lation reference.
(8) Remove the pinion yoke nut and washer. Use
Remover C-452 and Wrench C-3281 to remove the
pinion yoke (Fig. 31) .
(9) Use suitable pry tool or slide hammer mounted
screw to remove the pinion shaft seal.
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal. Install seal with an appropriate
installer (Fig. 32).
(2) Install yoke on the pinion gear with Installer
C-3718 and Holder 6719 (Fig. 33).
CAUTION: Do not exceed the minimum tightening
torque when installing the pinion yoke retaining
nut. Damage to collapsible spacer or bearings may
result.
Fig. 29 AXLE SHAFT OUTER U-JOINT
1 - SHAFT YOKE
2 - BEARING CAP
3 - SNAP RINGS
4 - BEARING CAP
5 - SPINDLE YOKE
6 - BEARING
7 - BEARING CAP
8 - SNAP RINGS
9 - BEARING CAP
Fig. 30 YOKE BEARING CAP
1 - LARGE-DIAMETER SOCKET WRENCH
2 - VISE
3 - SMALL-DIAMETER SOCKET WRENCH
BR/BEFRONT AXLE - 248FBI 3 - 35
SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS (Continued)

(3) Install a new nut on the pinion gear. Tighten
the nut only enough to remove the shaft end play.
(4) Rotate the pinion shaft using an inch pound
torque wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to
the reading recorded during removal, plus an addi-
tional 0.56 N´m (5 in. lbs.) (Fig. 34).
(5) If the rotating torque is to low, use Holder 6719
to hold the pinion yoke (Fig. 35), and tighten the pin-
ion shaft nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) until proper rotat-
ing torque is achieved.
(6) Align the installation reference marks and
attach the propeller shaft to the yoke.
(7) Check and add lubricant to axle, if necessary.
Refer to Lubricant Specifications in this section for
lubricant requirements.
(8) Install brake rotors and calipers.
(9) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(10) Lower the vehicle.
Fig. 31 Pinion
1 - YOKE HOLDER
2 - YOKE
3 - YOKE PULLER
Fig. 32 Pinion Seal Installation
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 33 PINION YOKE
1 - INSTALLER
2 - YOKE HOLDER
Fig. 34 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 -TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - 36 FRONT AXLE - 248FBIBR/BE
PINION SEAL (Continued)

REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Position an axle lift under the axle and secure
it to the axle.
(3) Remove the wheels and tires.
(4) Remove RWAL sensor from the differential
housing, if necessary.
(5) Remove brake hose from the axle junction
block.
(6) Disconnect parking brake cables and cable
brackets.
(7) Remove vent hose from the axle shaft tube.
(8) Mark propeller shaft and yoke for installation
alignment reference.
(9) Remove propeller shaft.
(10) Remove shock absorbers from the axle brack-
ets.
(11) Remove spring clamps and spring brackets.
(12) Remove axle from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Raise axle with lift and align to the leaf spring
centering bolts.
(2) Install spring clamps and spring brackets.
(3) Install shock absorbers and tighten to specifica-
tions.
(4) Install RWAL sensor to the differential hous-
ing, if necessary.
(5) Install parking brake cables and cable brackets
(6) Install brake hose to the axle junction block.
(7) Install axle vent hose.
(8) Install propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(9) Install wheels and tires assemblies.
(10) Add gear lubricant, if necessary.
(11) Remove lift from the axle and lower the vehi-
cle.
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched
sets only. The identifying numbers for the ring and
pinion gear are etched into the face of each gear (Fig.
4). A plus (+) number, minus (±) number or zero (0) is
etched into the face of the pinion gear. This number
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 cen-
ter line of the ring gear to the back face of the pinion
is 127 mm (5.00 in.). The standard depth provides
the best gear tooth contact pattern. Refer to Back-
lash and Contact Pattern in this section for addi-
tional information.
Compensation for pinion depth variance is
achieved with a select shim. The shims are placed
between the rear pinion bearing and the pinion gear
head (Fig. 5).If a new gear set is being installed, note the depth
variance etched into both the original and replace-
ment pinion. Add or subtract this number from the
thickness of the original depth shim/oil slinger to
compensate for the difference in the depth variances.
Refer to the Depth Variance chart.
Note where Old and New Pinion Marking columns
intersect. Intersecting figure represents plus or
minus the amount needed.
Fig. 4 PINION GEAR ID NUMBERS
1 - PRODUCTION NUMBERS
2 - PINION GEAR DEPTH VARIANCE
3 - GEAR MATCHING NUMBER
Fig. 5 SHIM LOCATIONS
1 - PINION GEAR DEPTH SHIM
2 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 248RBI 3 - 51
REAR AXLE - 248RBI (Continued)

AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the axle shaft flange bolts.
(2) Slide the axle shaft out from the axle tube.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean the gasket contact surface area on the
flange with an appropriate solvent. Install a new
flange gasket and slide the axle shaft into the tube.
(2) Install the bolts and tighten to 129 N´m (95 ft.
lbs.).
AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(2) Remove brake drum.
(3) Remove the axle shaft.
(4) Remove the lock wedge and adjustment nut.
Use Socket DD-1241±JD to remove the adjustment
nut.
(5) Remove the hub assembly. The outer axle bear-
ing will slide out as the hub is being removed.
(6) Remove inner grease seal and discard. Use
Installer 5064 and Handle C-4171 to drive grease
seal and inner axle bearing from the hub.
(7) Remove the bearing cups from the hub bore.
Use a brass drift, or an appropriate removal tool, to
tap out the cups.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean both axle bearings and inte-
rior of the hub with an appropriate cleaning solvent.
(2) Install bearing cups with Installer 8151 and
Handle C-4171.
(3)Pack inner and outer bearings with
Mopar wheel bearing grease or equivalent.
(4) Apply grease to inner and outer bearing cup
surfaces.
(5) Install inner axle bearing in the hub.
(6) Installnewgrease seal in hub with Installer
8149 and Handle C-4171.
(7) Inspect bearing and seal contact surfaces on
the axle tube for burrs/roughness. Remove all the
rough contact surfaces from the axle tube.
(8) Carefully slide the hub onto the axle.
CAUTION: Do not let grease seal contact axle tube
threads during installtion.
(9) Install outer axle bearing.
(10) Install hub bearing adjustment nut with
Socket DD-1241±JD.
(11) Tighten adjustment nut to 163-190 N´m (120-
140 ft. lbs.) while rotating the wheel. Then loosen
adjustment nut 1/8 to 1/3 of-a-turn to provide 0.025-
0.250mm (0.001-0.009 in.) wheel bearing end play.
(12) Tap locking wedge into the spindle keyway
and adjustment nut.
NOTE: Located locking wedge in a new position in
the adjustment nut.
(13) Install axle shaft and brake drum.
(14) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
Trac-lok Tools C-4487
Gauge Set 6730
Arbor Discs 6732
3 - 62 REAR AXLE - 248RBIBR/BE
REAR AXLE - 248RBI (Continued)

PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Mark universal joint, pinion yoke and shaft for
installation reference.
(3) Disconnect the propeller shaft from the pinion
yoke.
(4) Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
(5) Remove brake calipers to prevent any drag
that may cause a false bearing preload torque mea-
surement.
(6) Rotate pinion yoke three or four times.
(7) Record pinion gear rotating torque with an
inch pound torque wrench (Fig. 22).
(8) Hold yoke with Yoke Holder 6719A and remove
the pinion shaft nut and washer.
(9) Remove yoke with Remover C-452 (Fig. 23).
(10) Remove pinion seal with pry tool or slide-
hammer mounted screw.
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal.
(2) Installnewpinion seal with an aproppriate
installer (Fig. 24).
(3) Install yoke on pinion shaft with Installer
C-3718 and Yoke Holder 6719.(4) Install pinion yoke washer with theconcave
surfaceagainst the yoke end.
(5) Installnewpinion nut.
CAUTION: Never exceed the minimum tightening
torque when installing the pinion yoke retaining nut
at this point. Damage to collapsible spacer, if
equipped, or bearings may result.
(6) Hold pinion yoke with Yoke Holder 6719 and
tighten shaft nut to 291.5 N´m (215 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 25).
Rotate pinion shaft several revolutions to ensure the
bearing rollers are seated.
(7) Rotate pinion shaft with a inch pound torque
wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to the read-
ing recorded during removal, plus an additional 0.56
N´m (5 in. lbs.) (Fig. 26).
Fig. 22 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 -TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
Fig. 23 PINION YOKE REMOVER
1 - PINION YOKE
2 - REMOVER
Fig. 24 PINION SEAL INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 248RBI 3 - 63

CAUTION: Never loosen pinion gear nut to decrease
pinion rotating torque and never exceed specified pre-
load torque. If preload torque is exceeded a new pin-ion nut and collapsible spacer, if equipped, must be
installed.
(8) If rotating torque is low, use Yoke Holder 6719
to hold the pinion yoke (Fig. 25) and tighten the pin-
ion shaft nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) increments until
proper rotating torque is achieved.
NOTE: The bearing rotating torque should be con-
stant during a complete revolution of the pinion. If
the rotating torque varies, this indicates a binding
condition.
(9) Install propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(10) Add gear lubricant to the differential housing,
if necessary.
(11) Install wheel and tire assemblies and lower
the vehicle.
(12)
Pump the brake pedal before moving the vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove fill hole plug from the differential
housing cover.
(3) Remove differential housing cover and drain
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 axle shafts.
(6) Note the orientation of the installation refer-
ence letters stamped on the bearing caps and hous-
ing machined sealing surface (Fig. 27).
Fig. 25 TIGHTEN PINION NUT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - YOKE HOLDER
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 26 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 -TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
Fig. 27 BEARING CAP IDENTIFICATION
1 - REFERENCE LETTERS
2 - REFERENCE LETTERS
3 - 64 REAR AXLE - 248RBIBR/BE
PINION SEAL (Continued)

CAUTION: If housing cover is not installed within 3
to 5 minutes, the cover must be cleaned and new
RTV applied or adhesion quality will be compro-
mised.
(11) Install the cover and tighten bolts in a criss-
cross pattern to 47 N´m (35 ft. lbs.).
(12) Fill the differential with Mopar Hypoid Gear
Lubricant or equivalent to bottom of the fill plug
hole.(13) Install fill hole plug and tighten to 34 N´m (25
ft. lbs.).
(14) Remove support and lower vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRAC-LOKT
The most common problem is a chatter noise when
turning corners. Before removing the unit for repair,
drain, flush and refill the axle with the specified
lubricant. A container of Mopar Trac-loktLubricant
(friction modifier) should be added after repair ser-
vice or during a lubricant change.
After changing the lubricant, drive the vehicle and
make 10 to 12 slow, figure-eight turns. This maneu-
ver will pump lubricant through the clutches. This
will correct the condition in most instances. If the
chatter persists, clutch damage could have occurred.
DIFFERENTIAL TEST
The differential can be tested without removing the
differential case by measuring rotating torque. Make
sure brakes are not dragging during this measure-
ment.
(1) Place blocks in front and rear of both front
wheels.
(2) Raise one rear wheel until it is completely off
the ground.
Fig. 33 DIFFERENTIAL CASE
1 - RAWHIDE HAMMER
Fig. 34 Bearing Cap Reference
1 - REFERENCE LETTERS
2 - REFERENCE LETTERS
Fig. 35 DIFFERENTIAL COVER - TYPICAL
1 - SEALANT SURFACE
2 - SEALANT
3 - SEALANT THICKNESS
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 248RBI 3 - 67
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)