2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE preload

(8) Slide the dial indicator probe across the gap
between the pinion height block and the arbor bar
with the scooter block against the pinion height block
(Fig. 11). When the dial probe contacts the arbor bar,
the dial pointer will turn clockwise. Bring dial
pointer back to zero against the arbor bar, do not
turn dial face. Continue moving the dial probe to the
crest of the arbor bar and record the highest reading.
If the dial indicator can not achieve the zero reading,
the rear bearing cup or the pinion depth gauge set is
not installed correctly.
(9) Select a shim equal to the dial indicator read-
ing plus the pinion depth variance number etched in
the face of the pinion (Fig. 6). For example, if the
depth variance is ±2, add +0.002 in. to the dial indi-
cator reading.
DIFFERENTIAL
Differential side bearing preload and gear backlash
is achieved by selective shims positioned behind the
differential cas bearing cups. The proper shim thick-
ness can be determined using slip-fit Dummy Bear-
ings D-348 in place of the differential side bearings
and a Dial Indicator C-3339. Before proceeding with
the differential bearing preload and gear backlash
measurements, measure the pinion gear depth and
prepare the pinion for installation. Establishingproper 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. 12). Differential shim measurements
are performed with the spreader W-129-B removed.
PRELOAD 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 Bearings D-348 on differential
case.
(4) Install differential case in the housing.
Fig. 11 PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 12 SHIM LOCATIONS
1 - PINION GEAR DEPTH SHIM
2 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
3 - RING GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING SHIM
5 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 59
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (Continued)

(8) Thread Pilot Stud C-3288-B into rear cover bolt
hole below ring gear (Fig. 17).
(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. 17).
(10) Push and hold differential case to pinion gear
side of the housing and zero dial indicator (Fig. 18).
(11) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 19).
(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 axle 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. 16).
(19) Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat
surface between the ring gear bolt heads. (Fig. 17).(20) Push and hold differential case toward pinion
gear and zero dial indicator (Fig. 20).
(21) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 21). 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
Fig. 17 DIFFERENTIAL SIDE PLAY
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - PILOT STUD
4 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 18 ZERO DIAL INDICATOR
1 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
2 - PILOT STUD
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
4 - ZERO DIAL INDICATOR FACE
Fig. 19 DIFFERENTIAL TO RING GEAR SIDE
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 61
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (Continued)

the shim thickness required on the pinion side of the
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 utilizing some items
from Adapter Set 6987, on the housing and spread
axle opening enough to receive differential case.
CAUTION: Never spread over 0.38 mm (0.015 in.). If
housing is over-spread, it could be distorted or
damaged.
(28) Place the bearing preload shims in the hous-
ing, against the axle tubes.
(29) Install differential case into the housing.
(30) Remove spreader from the housing.
(31) Install differential bearing caps in their origi-
nal locations.
(32) Install bearing cap bolts and tighten to 77
N´m (57 ft. lbs.).
(33) Rotate the differential case several times to
seat the side bearings.
(34) Position the indicator plunger against a ring
gear tooth (Fig. 22).
(35) Push and hold ring gear upward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate.
(36) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(37) Push and hold ring gear downward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate. Dial indicator
reading should be between 0.12-0.20 mm (0.005-0.008
in.). If backlash is not within specifications transfer
the necessary amount of shim thickness from one
side of the axle housing to the other (Fig. 23).
(38) 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.
Fig. 20 ZERO DIAL INDICATOR
1 - DIAL INDICATOR FACE
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 21 DIFFERENTIAL TO RING GEAR SIDE
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 22 RING GEAR BACKLASH MEASUREMENT
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
3 - 62 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (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 3.07, 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 4.11
Differential Bearing Preload 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)
Ring Gear Diameter 198 mm (7.795 in.)
Ring Gear Backlash 0.12-0.20 mm (0.005-0.008 in.)
Pinion Gear Std. Depth 96.85 mm (3.813 in.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - Original Bearings 1-2 N´m (10-20 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - New Bearings 1.7-3.9 N´m (15-35 in. lbs.)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Differential Cover Bolts 41 30 -
Bearing Cap Bolts 77 57 -
Ring Gear Bolts 129-142 95-105 -
Pinion Nut Minimum 272 200 -
Pinion Mate Shaft Screw 16.25 12 -
Axle Bearing Retainer Plate
Nuts61 45 -
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 65
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (Continued)

(4) Tighten the nut to 271 N´m (200 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion gear nut to decrease
pinion rotating torque and never exceed specified
preload torque. If preload torque or rotating torque
is exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be
installed.
(5) Rotate the pinion gear a minimum of ten times
and verify pinion rotates smoothly. Rotate pinion
shaft an inch pound torque wrench. Rotating torque
should be equal to recorded reading plus an addi-
tional 0.56 N´m (5 in. lbs.) (Fig. 36).
Fig. 33 PINION SEAL
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
Fig. 34 PINION SEAL
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 35 PINION YOKE
1 - PINION YOKE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
Fig. 36 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - 72 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(3) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal and install seal with an appropriate
installer (Fig. 41).
(4) Install yoke with Screw 8112, Cup 8109 and
Spanner Wrench 6958 (Fig. 42).
(5) Install yoke washer andnewnut on the pinion
gear. Tighten the nut to 271 N´m (200 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion gear nut to decrease
pinion rotating torque and never exceed specified
preload torque. If preload torque or rotating torque
is exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be
installed.
(6) Using yoke with Spanner Wrench 6958 and a
torque wrench set at 474 N´m (350 ft. lbs.), (Fig. 43)
slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) incre-
ments until the rotating torque is achieved. Measurethe rotating torque frequently to avoid over crushing
the collapsible spacer (Fig. 44).
NOTE: If more than 474 N´m (350 ft. lbs.) torque is
required to crush the collapsible spacer, the spacer
is defective and must be replaced.
Fig. 40 PINION SEAL REMOVER
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
Fig. 41 PINION SEAL INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 42 PINION YOKE INSTALLER
1 - INSTALLER
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - SPANNER WRENCH
Fig. 43 PINION NUT
1 - SPANNER WRENCH
2 - PIPE
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
3 - 74 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER (Continued)

DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove pinion shaft lock screw (Fig. 50).
(2) Remove pinion shaft.
(3) Rotate differential side gears and remove dif-
ferential pinions and thrust washers (Fig. 51).
(4) Remove differential side gears and thrust
washers.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Install differential side gears and thrust wash-
ers.
(2) Install differential pinion gears and thrust
washers.
(3) Install the pinion mate shaft.
(4) Align hole in the pinion mate shaft with the
hole in the differential case and install the pinion
mate shaft lock screw.
(5) Lubricate all differential components with
hypoid gear lubricant.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If replacement differential bearings or differ-
ential case are being installed, differential side
bearing shim requirements may change. Refer
Adjustments (Differential Bearing Preload and Gear
Backlash) to determine the proper shim selection.
(1) Position Spreader W-129-B with Adapter set
6987 on differential housing locating holes. Install
the holddown clamps and tighten the tool turnbuckle
finger-tight.
(2) Install a Pilot Stud C-3288-B at the left side of
the differential housing. Attach Dial Indicator C-3339
to pilot stud. Load the indicator plunger against the
opposite side of the housing and zero the indicator.
CAUTION: Never spread the housing over 0.38 mm
(0.015 in). If housing is over-spread, it could be dis-
torted or damaged.
(3) Spread housing enough to install the case in
the housing.
(4) Remove the dial indicator.
(5) Install differential case in housing (Fig. 52).
Verify differential bearing cups remain in position on
the bearings and preload shims are between the face
of the bearing cup and the housing. Tap the differen-
tial case to ensure bearings cups and shims are
seated in the housing.
CAUTION: On a Vari-lokTdifferential the oil feed
tube must be pointed at the bottom of the housing
(Fig. 53). If differential is installed with the oil feed
tube pointed at the top, the anti-rotation tabs will be
damaged.
(6) Install bearing caps in their original locations
(Fig. 54).
(7) Loosely install differential bearing cap bolts.
(8) Remove axle housing spreader.
(9) Tighten bearing cap bolts in a criss-cross pat-
tern to 77 N´m (57 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install the axle shafts.
Fig. 50 SHAFT LOCK SCREW
1 - LOCK SCREW
2 - PINION SHAFT
Fig. 51 DIFFERENTIAL GEARS
1 - THRUST WASHER
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - DIFFERENTIAL PINION
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 77
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

INSTALLATION
NOTE: If differential side bearings or differential
case are replaced, differential side bearing shim
requirements may change. Refer to Adjustments
(Differential Bearing Preload and Gear Backlash) for
procedures.
(1) Install differential side bearings with Installer
C-3716-A and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 70).
(2) Install differential in axle housing.
(3) Remove support and lower vehicle.
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR
REMOVAL
NOTE: The ring and pinion gears are serviced as a
matched set. Never replace one gear without the
other gear.
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Mark pinion yoke and propeller shaft for
installation reference.
(3) Disconnect propeller shaft from pinion yoke
and tie shaft to underbody.
(4) Remove differential from the housing.
(5) Place differential case in a vise with soft metal
jaw.(6) Remove bolts holding ring gear to differential
case.
(7) Drive ring gear from differential case with a
rawhide hammer (Fig. 71).
(8) Hold the pinion yoke with Spanner Wrench
6958 and remove the pinion yoke nut and washer
(Fig. 72).
Fig. 70 Differential Side Bearing
1 - INSTALLER
2 - HANDLE
Fig. 71 RING GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - RING GEAR
3 - HAMMER
Fig. 72 PINION YOKE HOLDER
1 - 1 in. PIPE
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - HOLDER
4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - 84 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS (Continued)