2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE front differential

INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be sup-
ported by the springs before suspension arms and
track bar fasteners can be tightened. If springs are
not at their normal ride position, ride height and
handling could be affected.
(1) Install the springs and retainer clips. Tighten
the retainer bolts to 21 N´m (16 ft. lbs.).
(2) Support the axle on a lifting device and posi-
tion axle under the vehicle.
(3) Raise the axle and align it with the spring
pads.
(4) Position the upper and lower suspension arms
in the axle brackets. Loosely install bolts and nuts to
hold suspension arms to the axle brackets.
(5) Install vent hose to the axle shaft tube.
(6) Install track bar in the axle bracket and install
the bolt loosely.
(7) Install shock absorbers and tighten the bolts to
23 N´m (17 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install stabilizer bar links to the axle brackets
and tighten the nuts to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install drag link and tie rod to the steering
knuckles.
(10) Install steering damper to the axle bracket
and tighten the nut to 75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.).
(11) Install the brake rotors (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/
HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - INSTALLA-
TION) and calipers.
(12) Connect the wheel speed sensor wiring har-
ness to the vehicle wiring harness.
(13) Align the previously made marks on the pro-
peller shaft and the yoke/pinion flange.
(14) Install propeller shaft to pinion flange bolts ,
if equipped.
(15) Install propeller shaft to yoke straps and
bolts, if equipped.
(16) Check and fill axle lubricant.
(17) Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
(18) Remove the lifting device from the axle and
lower the vehicle.
(19) Tighten the upper suspension arm nuts to 75
N´m (55 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower suspension arm
nuts to 115 N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(20) Tighten the track bar bolt at the axle bracket
to 100 N´m (74 ft. lbs.).
(21) Check the front wheel alignment.
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched
sets only. The identifying numbers for the ring and
pinion gear are etched onto each gear (Fig. 3). A plus
(+) number, minus (±) number or zero (0) is etched
into the face of the pinion gear. This number is theamount (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 center line
of the ring gear to the back face of the pinion is 92.1
mm (3.625 in.). The standard depth provides the best
gear tooth contact pattern. Refer to Backlash and
Contact Pattern Analysis paragraph in this section
for additional information.
Compensation for pinion depth variance is
achieved with a select shim/oil slinger. The shims are
placed between the rear pinion bearing and the pin-
ion gear head (Fig. 4).
Fig. 3 PINION GEAR ID NUMBERS
1 - PRODUCTION NUMBERS
2 - DRIVE PINION GEAR DEPTH VARIANCE
3 - GEAR MATCHING NUMBER
Fig. 4 ADJUSTMENT SHIM LOCATIONS
1 - PINION DEPTH SHIM/OIL SLINGER
2 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
3 - RING GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
5 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
WJFRONT AXLE - 186FBI 3 - 21
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

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 Pinion Gear Depth Variance chart.
Note where Old and New Pinion Marking columns
intersect. Intersecting figure represents plus or
minus the amount needed.Note the etched number on the face of the pinion
gear head (±1, ±2, 0, +1, +2, etc.). The numbers rep-
resent thousands of an inch deviation from the stan-
dard. If the number is negative, add that value to the
required thickness of the depth shims. If the number
is positive, subtract that value from the thickness of
the depth shim. If the number is 0 no change is nec-
essary.
PINION GEAR DEPTH VARIANCE
Original Pinion
Gear Depth
VarianceReplacement Pinion Gear Depth Variance
24232221 0 +1 +2 +3 +4
+4+0.008 +0.007 +0.006 +0.005 +0.004 +0.003 +0.002 +0.001 0
+3+0.007 +0.006 +0.005 +0.004 +0.003 +0.002 +0.001 020.001
+2+0.006 +0.005 +0.004 +0.003 +0.002 +0.001 020.00120.002
+1+0.005 +0.004 +0.003 +0.002 +0.001 020.00120.00220.003
0+0.004 +0.003 +0.002 +0.001 020.00120.00220.00320.004
21+0.003 +0.002 +0.001 020.00120.00220.00320.00420.005
22+0.002 +0.001 020.00120.00220.00320.00420.00520.006
23+0.001 020.00120.00220.00320.00420.00520.00620.007
24020.00120.00220.00320.00420.00520.00620.00720.008
PINION DEPTH MEASUREMENT
Measurements are taken with pinion bearing cups
and pinion bearings installed in the housing. Take
measurements with Pinion Gauge Set and Dial Indi-
cator C-3339 (Fig. 5).
(1) Assemble Pinion Height Block 6739, Pinion
Block 8804 and rear pinion bearing onto Screw 6741
(Fig. 5).
(2) Insert assembled height gauge components,
rear bearing and screw into the housing through pin-
ion bearing cups (Fig. 6).
(3) Install front pinion bearing and Cone-nut 6740
hand tight (Fig. 5).
(4) Place Arbor Disc 6732 on Arbor D-115-3 in posi-
tion, in the housing side bearing cradles (Fig. 7).
Install differential bearing caps on Arbor Discs and
tighten cap bolts to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Arbor Discs 6732 has different step diame-
ters to fit other axles. Choose proper step for axle
being serviced.(5) Assemble Dial Indicator C-3339 into Scooter
Block D-115-2 and secure set screw.
(6) Posttion Scooter Block/Dial Indicator so dial
probe and scooter block are flush on the surface of
the pinion height block (Fig. 5). Hold scooter block
and zero the dial indicator.
(7) Hold scooter block against the pinion height
block and slowly slide across the pinion height block
to the arbor (Fig. 8). Move the scooter block till the
dial probe crests the arbors and record the highest
reading.
(8) Select a shim/oil slinger equal to the dial indi-
cator reading plus the pinion depth variance number
etched in the face of the pinion (Fig. 3). For example,
if the depth variance is ±2, add +0.002 in. to the dial
indicator reading.
3 - 22 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

DIFFERENTIAL
Differential side bearing preload and gear backlash
is achieved by selective shims positioned behind the
differential side bearing cones. The proper shim
thickness can be determined using slip-fit Dummy
Bearings D-348 in place of the differential side bear-
ings and a Dial Indicator C-3339. Before proceeding
with the differential bearing preload and gear back-
lash measurements, measure the pinion gear depth
and prepare the pinion for installation. Establishing
proper pinion gear depth is essential to establishing
gear backlash and tooth contact patterns. After the
overall shim thickness to take up differential side
play is measured, the pinion is installed, and the
gear backlash shim thickness is measured. The over-
all shim thickness is the total of the dial indicator
reading and the preload specification added together.
The gear backlash measurement determines the
thickness of the shim used on the ring gear side of
the differential case. Subtract the gear backlash shim
thickness from the total overall shim thickness and
select that amount for the pinion gear side of the dif-
ferential (Fig. 9). Differential shim measurements
are performed with spreader W-129-B removed.
SHIM SELECTION
NOTE: It is difficult to salvage the differential side
bearings during the removal procedure. Install
replacement bearings if necessary.
(1) Remove differential side bearings from differ-
ential case.
(2) Install ring gear on differential case and
tighten bolts to specification.
(3) Install dummy side bearings D-348 on differen-
tial case.
(4) Install differential case in the housing.
CAUTION: When installing a Vari-LokTdifferential,
the oil feed tube must point to the bottom of the
housing. If differential is forced in with the oil feed
towards the top, the anti-rotation tabs will be dam-
aged.
(5) Record the thickness of Dummy Shims 8107.
Insert the shims between the dummy bearings and
the differential housing (Fig. 10).
Fig. 9 ADJUSTMENT SHIM LOCATIONS
1 - PINION DEPTH SHIM/OIL SLINGER
2 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
3 - RING GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
5 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
Fig. 10 DUMMY SHIM LOCATION
1 - DUMMY SHIM
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
4 - DUMMY BEARINGS
3 - 24 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

(6) Install the bearing caps in their correct posi-
tions and snug the bolts (Fig. 11).
(7) With a dead-blow hammer, seat the differential
dummy bearings to each side of the housing (Fig. 12)
and (Fig. 13).(8) Thread Pilot Stud C-3288-B into rear cover bolt
hole below ring gear (Fig. 14).
(9) Attach a dial indicator C-3339 to Pilot Stud.
Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat surface
between the ring gear bolt heads (Fig. 14).
Fig. 11 BEARING CAP BOLTS
1 - BEARING CAP
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 12 SEAT DUMMY BEARING PINION SIDE
1 - HAMMER
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 13 SEAT DUMMY BEARING RING GEAR SIDE
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - HAMMER
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 14 DIFFERENTIAL SIDE PLAY MEASUREMET
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - PILOT STUD
4 - DIAL INDICATOR
WJFRONT AXLE - 186FBI 3 - 25
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

(10) Push and hold differential case to pinion gear
side of the housing and zero dial indicator (Fig. 15).
(11) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 16).(12) Add 0.152 mm (0.006 in.) to the zero end play
total. This new total represents the thickness of
shims to compress or preload the new bearings when
the differential is installed.
(13) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on the
pilot stud.
(14) Remove differential case and dummy bearings
from the housing.
(15) Install the pinion gear in the housing. Install
the pinion yoke and establish the correct pinion
rotating torque.
(16) Install differential case and Dummy Bearings
D-348 in the housing.
(17) Install a single dummy shim in the ring gear
side. Install bearing caps and tighten bolts snug.
(18) Seat ring gear side dummy bearing (Fig. 13).
(19) Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat
surface between the ring gear bolt heads (Fig. 14).
(20) Push and hold differential case toward pinion
gear and zero dial indicator (Fig. 17).
Fig. 15 ZERO DIAL INDICATOR
1 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
2 - PILOT STUD
3 - INDICATOR EXTENSION
4 - DIAL INDICATOR FACE
Fig. 16 RECORED DIAL INDICATOR READING
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
Fig. 17 ZERO DIAL INDICATOR
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - 26 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

(21) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 18). Add dummy shim thickness to this reading.
This will be the total shim thickness to achieve zero
backlash.
(22) Subtract 0.076 mm (0.003 in.) from the dial
indicator reading to compensate for backlash between
ring and pinion gears. This total is the thickness
shim required to achieve proper backlash.
(23) Subtract the backlash shim thickness from
the total preload shim thickness. The remainder is
the shim thickness required on the pinion side of the
axle housing.
(24) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on pilot
stud.(25) Remove differential case and dummy bearings
from the housing.
(26) Install side bearings and cups on differential
case.
(27) Install spreader W-129-B with Adapter Set
6987 on the housing and spread axle opening enough
to receive differential case.
(28) Place the bearing preload shims in the axle
housing, against the axle tubes.
(29) Install differential case into the housing.
CAUTION: When installing a Vari-LokTdifferential,
the oil feed tube must point to the bottom of the
housing. If differential is forced in with the oil feed
towards the top, the anti-rotation tabs will be dam-
aged.
(30) Remove spreader from the housing.
(31) Rotate the differential case several times to
seat the side bearings.
(32) Position the indicator plunger against a ring
gear tooth (Fig. 19).
Fig. 18 RECORED DIAL INDICATOR READING
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 19 RING GEAR BACKLASH
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
WJFRONT AXLE - 186FBI 3 - 27
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

(33) Push and hold ring gear upward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate.
(34) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(35) Push and hold ring gear downward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate. Dial indicator
reading should be between 0.12 mm (0.005 in.) and
0.20 mm (0.008 in.). If backlash is not within specifi-
cations transfer the necessary amount of shim thick-
ness from one side of the housing to the other (Fig.
20).
(36) Verify differential case and ring gear runout
by measuring ring to pinion gear backlash at eight
locations around the ring gear. Readings should not
vary more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in.). If readings vary
more than specified, the ring gear or the differential
case is defective.
After the proper backlash is achieved, perform
Gear Contact Pattern Analysis procedure.
GEAR CONTACT PATTERN
The ring gear and pinion teeth contact patterns
will show if the pinion depth is correct in the hous-
ing. It will also show if the ring gear backlash has
been adjusted correctly. The backlash can be adjusted
within specifications to achieve desired tooth contact
patterns.
(1) Apply a thin coat of hydrated ferric oxide or
equivalent to the drive and coast side of the ring gear
teeth.
(2) Wrap, twist and hold a shop towel around the
pinion yoke to increase the turning resistance of the
pinion. This will provide a more distinct contact pat-
tern.
(3) With a boxed end wrench on a ring gear bolt,
rotate the differential case one complete revolution inboth directions while a load is being applied from
shop towel.
The areas on the ring gear teeth with the greatest
degree of contact against the pinion teeth will squee-
gee the compound to the areas with the least amount
of contact. Note and compare patterns on the ring
gear teeth to Gear Tooth Contact Patterns chart (Fig.
21)and adjust pinion depth and gear backlash as nec-
essary.
Fig. 20 BACKLASH SHIM ADJUSTMENT
3 - 28 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD CHECK
The final check on the differential assembly before
installing the axles is torque to rotate pinion and dif-
ferential combined. This will verify the correct differ-
ential bearing preload.Torque to rotate the differential and pinion should
be the torque to rotate the pinion plus 0.79-1.24 N´m
(7-11 in. lbs.).
SPECIFICATIONS
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Axle Ratio 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 3.91
Differential Side Gear Clearance 0.13-0.20 mm (0.005-0.008 in.)
Differential Bearing Preload 0.152 mm (0.006 in.)
Ring Gear Diameter 186 mm (7.33 in.)
Ring Gear Backlash 0.13-0.20 mm (0.005-0.008 in.)
Pinion Gear Std. Depth 92.08 mm (3.625 in.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - Original Bearings 1-2 N´m (10-20 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - New Bearings 1.7-3.4 N´m (15-30 in. lbs.)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Fill Hole Plug 34 25 -
Differential Cover Bolts 41 30 -
Bearing Cap Bolts 61 45 -
Ring Gear Bolts 108 80 -
Axle Nut 237 175 -
Hub Bearing Bolts 102 75 -
3 - 30 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI (Continued)