2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE preload

(14) Remove rear bearing cup (Fig. 77) with
Remover D-149 and Handle C-4171.
(15) Remove collapsible preload spacer (Fig. 78).
(16) Remove rear bearing from the pinion with
Puller/Press C-293-PA and Adapters C-293-40 (Fig.
79).
(17) Remove depth shims from the pinion gear
shaft and record shim thickness.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: A pinion depth shim/oil slinger is placed
between the rear pinion bearing cone and the pin-
ion head to achieve proper ring gear and pinion
mesh. If ring gear and pinion are reused, the pinion
depth shim/oil slinger should not require replace-
ment. Refer to Adjustment (Pinion Gear Depth) to
select the proper thickness shim/oil slinger if ring
and pinion gears are replaced.
Fig. 77 REAR PINION BEARING CUP
1 - REMOVER
2 - HANDLE
Fig. 78 COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
1 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
2 - SHOULDER
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - SHIM
5 - REAR BEARING
Fig. 79 REAR PINION BEARING
1 - PULLER
2 - VISE
3 - ADAPTERS
4 - PINION GEAR SHAFT
3 - 86 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)

(8) Install anewcollapsible preload spacer on pin-
ion shaft and install pinion gear in the housing (Fig.
84).
(9) Install yoke with Installer C-3718 and Spanner
Wrench 6958 (Fig. 85).
(10) Install the yoke washer and a new nut on the
pinion gear and tighten the pinion nut until there is
zero bearing end-play.
(11) 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.
(12) Using Spanner Wrench 6958 and a torque
wrench set at 474 N´m (350 ft. lbs.), (Fig. 86) slowly
tighten the nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) increments
until the rotating torque is achieved. Measure the
rotating torque frequently to avoid over crushing the
collapsible spacer (Fig. 87).
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.(13) Check bearing rotating torque with a inch
pound torque wrench (Fig. 87). The pinion gear rotat-
ing torque should be:
²Original Bearings: 1 to 2.25 N´m (10 to 20 in.
lbs.).
²New Bearings: 1.7 to 3.9 N´m (15 to 35 in. lbs.).
(14) Invert the differential case and start two ring
gear bolts. This will provide case-to-ring gear bolt
hole alignment.
Fig. 84 COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
1 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
2 - SHOULDER
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DEPTH SHIM
5 - REAR BEARING
Fig. 85 PINION YOKE INSTALLER
1 - INSTALLER
2 - PINION YOKE
Fig. 86 PINION NUT
1 - SPANNER WRENCH
2 - PIPE
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
3 - 88 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)

(15) Invert the differential case in the vise.
(16) Installnewring gear bolts and alternately
tighten to 136 N´m (100 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 88).
CAUTION: Never reuse the ring gear bolts. The
bolts can fracture causing extensive damage.
(17) Install differential in housing and verify dif-
ferential bearing preload, gear mesh and contact pat-
tern. Refer to Ajustments for procedure.
CAUTION: When installing a Vari-lokTdifferential
(Fig. 89), the oil feed tube must point to the bottom
of the housing. If differential is installed with the oil
feed tube pointed toward the top, the anti-rotation
tabs will be damaged.
(18) Install differential cover and fill with gear
lubricant.
(19) Install the propeller shaft with the reference
marks aligned.
(20) Remove supports and lower vehicle.
Fig. 87 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 - PINION YOKE/COMPANION FLANGE
2 - INCH POUND TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 88 RING GEAR
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - RING GEAR BOLT
3 - RING GEAR
4 - CASE
Fig. 89 VARI-LOK
1 - ANTI-ROTATION TAB
2 - OIL FEED TUBE
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 89
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)

REAR AXLE - 226RBA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR AXLE - 226RBA
DESCRIPTION.........................90
OPERATION...........................90
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................92
REMOVAL.............................95
INSTALLATION.........................96
ADJUSTMENTS........................97
SPECIFICATIONS......................105
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................106
AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL............................109
INSTALLATION........................109
AXLE BEARINGS/SEALS
REMOVAL............................109
INSTALLATION........................110
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL............................111
INSTALLATION........................112
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
REMOVAL............................113INSTALLATION........................114
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL............................115
DISASSEMBLY........................117
ASSEMBLY...........................117
INSTALLATION........................117
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING...............119
DISASSEMBLY........................119
CLEANING...........................121
INSPECTION.........................121
ASSEMBLY...........................121
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS
REMOVAL............................123
INSTALLATION........................123
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR
REMOVAL............................124
INSTALLATION........................126
REAR AXLE - 226RBA
DESCRIPTION
The Rear Beam-design Aluminum (RBA) axle hous-
ing has an aluminum center casting (differential
housing) with axle shaft tubes extending from either
side. The tubes are pressed into the differential hous-
ing to form a one-piece axle housing. The axle has
semi-floating axle shafts, meaning that vehicle load
is supported by the axle shaft and bearings.
The differential case is a one-piece design. Differen-
tial bearing preload and ring gear backlash is adjusted
with selective shims. Pinion bearing preload is set and
maintained by the use of a collapsible spacer. The cover
provides a means for inspection and service.
Optional Trac-Loktdifferential differential has a
one-piece differential case, and the same internal
components as a standard differential, plus two
clutch disc packs.
Optional Vari-Loktdifferential has a one-piece dif-
ferential case which contains the gerotor pump
assembly and the clutch mechinism. The unit is ser-
viced only as an assembly.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transfer case
through the front propeller shaft. The front propellershaft is connected to the pinion gear which rotates
the differential through the gear mesh with the ring
gear bolted to the differential case. The engine power
is transmitted to the axle shafts through the pinion
mate and side gears. The side gears are splined to
the axle shafts.
STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL
During straight-ahead driving the differential pin-
ion gears do not rotate on the pinion mate shaft. This
occurs because input torque applied to the gears is
divided and distributed equally between the two side
gears. As a result, the pinion gears revolve with the
pinion mate shaft but do not rotate around it (Fig. 1).
When turning corners, the outside wheel must travel
a greater distance than the inside wheel to complete a
turn. The difference must be compensated for to prevent
the tires from scuffing and skidding through turns. To
accomplish this, the differential allows the axle shafts
to turn at unequal speeds (Fig. 2). In this instance, the
input torque applied to the pinion gears is not divided
equally. The pinion gears now rotate around the pinion
mate shaft in opposite directions. This allows the side
gear and axle shaft attached to the outside wheel to
rotate at a faster speed.
3 - 90 REAR AXLE - 226RBAWJ

TRAC-LOKTDIFFERENTIAL
The differential clutches are engaged by two con-
current forces. The first being the preload force
exerted through Belleville spring washers within the
clutch packs. The second is the separating forces gen-
erated by the side gears as torque is applied through
the ring gear (Fig. 3).
This design provides the differential action needed
for turning corners and for driving straight ahead
during periods of unequal traction. When one wheel
looses traction, the clutch packs transfer additional
torque to the wheel having the most traction. The
differential resist wheel spin on bumpy roads and
provide more pulling power when one wheel looses
traction. Pulling power is provided continuously until
both wheels loose traction. If both wheels slip due tounequal traction, the operation is normal. In extreme
cases of differences of traction, the wheel with the
least traction may spin.VARI-LOKTDIFFERENTIAL
In a standard differential, if one wheel spins, the
opposite wheel will generate only as much torque as
the spinning wheel.
A gerotor pump and clutch pack are used to pro-
vide the torque transfer capability. One axle shaft is
splined to the gerotor pump and one of the differen-
tial side gears, which provides the input to the pump.
As a wheel begins to lose traction, the speed differ-
ential is transmitted from one side of the differential
to the other through the side gears. The motion of
one side gear relative to the other turns the inner
rotor of the pump. Since the outer rotor of the pump
is grounded to the differential case, the inner and
outer rotors are now moving relative to each other
Fig. 1 OPERATION-STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING
1 - IN STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING EACH WHEEL ROTATES AT
100% OF CASE SPEED
2 - PINION GEAR
3 - SIDE GEAR
4 - PINION GEARS ROTATE WITH CASE
Fig. 2 OPERATION-ON TURNS
1 - PINION GEARS ROTATE ON PINION SHAFT
Fig. 3 TRAC-LOK LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
1 - CASE
2 - RING GEAR
3 - DRIVE PINION
4 - PINION GEAR
5 - MATE SHAFT
6 - CLUTCH PACK
7 - SIDE GEAR
8 - CLUTCH PACK
WJREAR AXLE - 226RBA 3 - 91
REAR AXLE - 226RBA (Continued)

and therefore creates pressure in the pump. The tun-
ing of the front and rear axle orifices and valves
inside the gerotor pump is unique and each system
includes a torque-limiting pressure relief valve to
protect the clutch pack, which also facilitates vehicle
control under extreme side-to-side traction varia-
tions. The resulting pressure is applied to the clutch
pack and the transfer of torque is completed.
Under conditions in which opposite wheels are on
surfaces with widely different friction characteristics,
Vari-loktdelivers far more torque to the wheel on
the higher traction surface than do conventional
Trac-loktsystems. Because conventional Trac-lokt
differentials are initially pre-loaded to assure torque
transfer, normal driving (where inner and outer
wheel speeds differ during cornering, etc.) produces
torque transfer during even slight side-to-side speed
variations. Since these devices rely on friction from
this preload to transfer torque, normal use tends to
cause wear that reduces the ability of the differential
to transfer torque over time. By design, the Vari-lokt
system is less subject to wear, remaining more con-
sistent over time in its ability to transfer torque. The
coupling assembly is serviced as a unit. From a ser-
vice standpoint the coupling also benefits from using
the same lubricant supply as the ring and pinion
gears.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubri-
cant, incorrect backlash, tooth contact, worn/damaged
gears, or the carrier housing not having the proper
offset and squareness.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The noise can also occur during a specific type
of driving condition. These conditions are accelera-
tion, deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, first warm-up the axle fluid by
driving the vehicle at least 5 miles and then acceler-
ate 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:
²Check for insufficient lubricant.
²Incorrect ring gear backlash.
²Gear damage.
Differential side gears and pinions can be checked
by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause
noise during straight-ahead driving when the gears
are unloaded. The side gears are loaded during vehi-
cle turns. A worn pinion mate shaft can also cause a
snapping or a knocking noise.
BEARING NOISE
The axle shaft, differential and pinion bearings can
all produce noise when worn or damaged. Bearing
noise can be either a whining, or a growling sound.
Pinion bearings have a constant-pitch noise. This
noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion bearing
noise will be higher pitched because it rotates at a
faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differen-
tial. If bearing noise occurs, the rear pinion bearing
is the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is
heard during a coast, the front pinion bearing is the
source.
Worn or damaged differential bearings usually pro-
duce a low pitch noise. Differential bearing noise is
similar to pinion bearing noise. The pitch of differen-
tial bearing noise is also constant and varies only
with vehicle speed.
Axle shaft bearings produce noise and vibration
when worn or damaged. The noise generally changes
when the bearings are loaded. Road test the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle sharply to the left and to the right.
This will load the bearings and change the noise
level. Where axle bearing damage is slight, the noise
is usually not noticeable at speeds above 30 mph.
LOW SPEED KNOCK
Low speed knock is generally caused by a worn
U-joint or by worn side±gear thrust washers. A worn
pinion shaft bore will also cause low speed knock.
VIBRATION
Vibration at the rear of the vehicle is usually
caused by a:
²Damaged drive shaft.
²Missing drive shaft balance weight(s).
²Worn or out-of-balance wheels.
²Loose wheel lug nuts.
²Worn U-joint(s).
²Loose/broken springs.
²Damaged axle shaft bearing(s).
²Loose pinion gear nut.
²Excessive pinion yoke run out.
²Bent axle shaft(s).
Check for loose or damaged front-end components
or engine/transmission mounts. These components
can contribute to what appears to be a rearend vibra-
tion. Do not overlook engine accessories, brackets
and drive belts.
All driveline components should be examined
before starting any repair.
(Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
3 - 92 REAR AXLE - 226RBAWJ
REAR AXLE - 226RBA (Continued)

NOTE: Arbor Discs 6927A 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) Place Scooter Block/Dial Indicator in position
in axle housing so dial probe and scooter block are
flush against the rearward surface of the pinion
height block (Fig. 8). Hold scooter block in place and
zero the dial indicator face to the pointer. Tighten
dial indicator face lock screw.
(7) With scooter block still in position against the
pinion height block, slowly slide the dial indicator
probe over the edge of the pinion height block.
(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 depth shim equal to the dial indicator
reading 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
indicator reading.
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD & GEAR
BACKLASH
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 6929-A 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. 12). Differential shim measurements
are performed with the 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.
Fig. 10 GAUGE TOOLS IN HOUSING
1 - ARBOR DISC
2 - PINION BLOCK
3 - ARBOR
4 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
Fig. 11 PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
WJREAR AXLE - 226RBA 3 - 99
REAR AXLE - 226RBA (Continued)

(8) Thread Pilot Stud C-3288-B into rear cover bolt
hole below ring gear (Fig. 17).
(9) Attach the Dial Indicator C-3339 to pilot stud
and position the indicator plunger on the flat surface
between the ring gear bolts (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 0.0254 mm (0.001 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.
Fig. 16 SEAT DUMMY BEARING
1 - HOUSING
2 - HAMMER
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 17 DIFFERENTIAL SIDE PLAY MEASUREMENT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - HOUSING
3 - PILOT STUD
4 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 18 DIFFERENTIAL CASE PINION GEAR SIDE
1 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
2 - PILOT STUD
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
4 - DIAL INDICATOR FACE
Fig. 19 DIFFERENTIAL CASE RING GEAR SIDE
1 - READ DIAL INDICATOR
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
WJREAR AXLE - 226RBA 3 - 101
REAR AXLE - 226RBA (Continued)