2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ball joint

FRONT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT
DESCRIPTION..........................6
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS..............6
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART......................7
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT SUSPENSION...................8
BUSHINGS
REMOVAL.............................9
INSTALLATION..........................9
HUB / BEARING
DESCRIPTION..........................9
OPERATION............................9
REMOVAL.............................9
INSTALLATION.........................10
KNUCKLE
DESCRIPTION.........................10
OPERATION...........................10
REMOVAL - STEERING KNUCKLE..........10
INSTALLATION.........................10
LOWER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL.............................11
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION.........................11
OPERATION...........................11
REMOVAL.............................11
INSTALLATION.........................11SHOCK
DESCRIPTION.........................12
OPERATION...........................12
REMOVAL.............................12
INSTALLATION.........................12
SPRING
DESCRIPTION.........................12
OPERATION...........................13
REMOVAL.............................13
INSTALLATION.........................13
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION.........................14
OPERATION...........................14
REMOVAL.............................14
INSTALLATION.........................14
TRACK BAR
DESCRIPTION.........................14
OPERATION...........................14
REMOVAL.............................14
INSTALLATION.........................14
UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL.............................15
UPPER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION.........................16
OPERATION...........................16
REMOVAL.............................16
INSTALLATION.........................16
FRONT
DESCRIPTION
The front suspension (Fig. 1) is a link/coil design
comprised of :
²Drive axle
²Shock absorbers
²Coil springs
²Upper and lower suspension arms
²Stabilizer bar
²Track bar
²Jounce bumpers
CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cot-
ter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the
slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin
hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the
nut to align the cotter pin hole.CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber
bushings must be tightened with the vehicle at nor-
mal ride 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 will be affected
and cause premature bushing wear.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber
bushings must be tightened with the vehicle at nor-
mal ride 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 will be affected
and cause premature bushing wear.
2 - 6 FRONTWJ

ing (Fig. 4) from the steering knuckle and off the
axle shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the hub bearing to the knuckle.
(2) Install the hub bearing to knuckle bolts and
tighten to 102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the hub washer and nut. Tighten the
hub nut to 237 N´m (175 ft. lbs.). Install the nut
retainer and a new cotter pin.
(4) Install the brake rotor, caliper anchor, caliper
and ABS wheel speed sensor,(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/
ELECTRICAL/FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR -
INSTALLATION).
(5) Install the wheel and tire assembly (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(6) Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
KNUCKLE
DESCRIPTION
The knuckle is a single casting with legs machined
for the upper and lower ball joints. The knuckle also
has machined mounting locations for the front brake
calipers and hub bearing.
OPERATION
The steering knuckle pivot between the upper and
lower ball joint. Steering linkage attached to the
knuckle allows the vehicle to be steered.
REMOVAL - STEERING KNUCKLE
Ball stud service procedures below require removal
of the hub bearing and axle shaft. Removal andinstallation of upper and lower ball studs require the
use of Tool Kit 6289.
(1) Remove hub bearing and axle shaft.
(2) Disconnect the tie-rod or drag link from the
steering knuckle arm,(Refer to 19 - STEERING/
LINKAGE/TIE ROD END - REMOVAL) .
(3) Remove the cotter pins from the upper and
lower ball studs.
(4) Remove the upper and lower ball stud nuts.
(5) Strike the steering knuckle with a brass ham-
mer to loosen knuckle from the ball studs. Remove
knuckle from ball studs (Fig. 5).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the steering knuckle on the ball studs.
(2) Install and tighten the bottom retaining nut to
109 N´m (80 ft. lbs.) torque. Install new cotter pin.
(3) Install and tighten the top retaining nut to 101
N´m (75 ft. lbs.) torque. Install new cotter pin.
(4) Install the hub bearing and axle shaft.
(5) Connect the tie-rod or drag link end to the
steering knuckle arm.,(Refer to 19 - STEERING/
LINKAGE/TIE ROD END - INSTALLATION) .
Fig. 4 Hub Bearing & Knuckle
1 - HUB BEARING
2 - KNUCKLE
Fig. 5 Steering Knuckle Removal/Installation
1 - AXLE YOKE
2 - UPPER BALL STUD
3 - LOWER BALL STUD
4 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - 10 FRONTWJ
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

LOWER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL
Ball stud service procedures below require removal
of the hub bearing and axle shaft. Removal and
installation of upper and lower ball studs require the
use of Tool Kit 6289.
(1) Position tools as shown to remove and install
ball stud (Fig. 6).
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION
The lower suspension arms are hydroformed steel
and use voided oval bushings at one end of the arm.
OPERATION
The bushings provide isolation from the axle. The
arms mount to the unibody frame rail bracket and
the axle brackets. The arm and bushings provide
location and react to loads from the axle.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle and support the front axle.
(2) Remove the lower suspension arm nut and bolt
from the axle bracket (Fig. 7).
(3) Remove the nut and bolt from the frame rail
bracket and remove the lower suspension arm (Fig.
7).
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the lower suspension arm in the axle
bracket and frame rail bracket.
NOTE: The end of the arm with the oval bushing
attaches to the axle bracket.
(2) Install the axle bracket bolt and nut finger
tight.
(3) Install the frame rail bracket bolt and nut fin-
ger tight.
(4) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
(5) With the vehicle on the ground tighten the
frame bracket bolt to 156 N´m (115 ft. lbs.). Tighten
the axle bracket nut to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(6) Check the alignment if new parts were
installed.
Fig. 6 Lower
1 - SPECIAL TOOL 6289±12
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6289±4
3 - SPECIAL TOOL 4212F
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 4212F5 - SPECIAL TOOL 6289±1
6 - SPECIAL TOOL 6289±3
WJFRONT 2 - 11

(2) Install track bar to the frame rail bracket.
Install the bolt and nut finger tight.NOTE: It may be necessary to pry the axle assem-
bly over to install the track bar to the frame rail
bracket.
(3) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground tighten the nut
at the frame rail bracket and to the bolt at the axle
bracket to 100 N´m (74 ft. lbs.).
(5) Check alignment specifications if a new track
bar was installed.
UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL
Ball stud service procedures below require removal
of the hub bearing and axle shaft. Removal and
installation of upper and lower ball studs require the
use of Tool Kit 6289.
(1) Position tools as shown to remove and install
ball stud (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16 Upper
Fig. 15 Track Bar Axle Bracket
1 - AXLE BRACKET
2 - TRACK BAR
WJFRONT 2 - 15
TRACK BAR (Continued)

REAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR
DESCRIPTION.........................17
WARNING.............................17
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR
SUSPENSION........................18
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART......................18
SPECIAL TOOLS
REAR SUSPENSION...................19
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION.........................19
OPERATION...........................19
REMOVAL.............................19
INSTALLATION.........................19
SHOCK
DESCRIPTION.........................19
OPERATION...........................19
REMOVAL.............................19
INSTALLATION.........................19
SPRING
DESCRIPTION.........................20OPERATION...........................20
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................20
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION.........................21
OPERATION...........................21
REMOVAL.............................21
INSTALLATION.........................21
UPPER BALL JOINT
DESCRIPTION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT............21
OPERATION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT............21
REMOVAL.............................21
INSTALLATION.........................22
UPPER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION.........................22
OPERATION...........................22
REMOVAL.............................22
INSTALLATION.........................23
REAR
DESCRIPTION
The rear suspension (Fig. 1) is comprised of :
²Drive axle
²Shock absorbers
²Coil springs
²Lower suspension arms
²Upper suspension arm
²Stabilizer bar
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/ure-
thane bushings should be tightened with the vehi-
cle at normal ride height. It is important to have the
springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when
the fasteners are torqued. This will maintain vehicle
ride comfort and prevent premature bushing wear.
WARNING
WARNING:: Suspension components with rubber
bushings must be tightened with the vehicle at nor-
mal ride 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 normalride position, vehicle ride comfort will be affected
and cause premature bushing wear.
Fig. 1 Rear Suspension
1 - SHOCK
2 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
3 - COIL SPRING
4 - STABILIZER BAR
5 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
WJREAR 2 - 17

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR
SUSPENSION
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
VEHICLE INSTABILITY 1. Loose or worn wheel bearings. 1. Replace wheel bearings.
2. Loose, worn or bent suspension
components.2. Inspect, tighten or replace components
as necessary.
3. Tire pressure. 3. Adjust tire pressure.
VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE
SIDE1. Weak or broken spring. 1. Replace spring.
2. Alignment. 2. Align vehicle to specifications.
3.Tires. 3. Replace tires.
4. Brakes. 4. Repair as necassary.
KNOCKING, RATTLING
OR SQUEAKING1. Worn shock bushings. 1. Replace shock.
2. Loose shock mounting. 2. Tighten to specifications.
3. Shock valve. 3. Replace shock.
4. Loose upper ball joint. 4. Replace ball joint.
5. Loose, worn or bent suspension
components.5. Inspect, tighten or replace components
as necessary.
IMPROPER TRACKING 1. Loose, worn or bent suspension
components.1. Inspect, tighten or replace components
as necessary.
2. Bent axle. 2.Replace axle.
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Shock Absorber Upper Nut 108 80 Ð
Shock Absorber Lower Nut 115 85 Ð
Suspension Arm Upper Ball Joint Nut 142 105 Ð
Suspension Arm Upper Frame Bolts 100 74 Ð
Ball Joint Plate Bolts 136 100 Ð
Suspension Arms Lower Axle Bracket Nut 163 120 Ð
Suspension Arms Lower Frame Bracket Nut 156 115 Ð
Stabilizer Bar Retainer Bolts 54 40 Ð
Stabilizer Bar Bar Link Nut 54 40 Ð
Stabilizer Bar Bracket Link Nut 92 68 Ð
2 - 18 REARWJ
REAR (Continued)

SPECIAL TOOLS
REAR SUSPENSION
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION
The lower suspension arms are hydroformed steel
and use voided oval bushings at each end of the arm.
OPERATION
The bushings provide isolation from the axle. The
arms mount to the unibody frame rail bracket and
the axle brackets. The arm and bushings provide
location and react to loads.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle and support the rear axle.
(2) Remove the lower suspension arm nut and bolt
from the axle bracket (Fig. 2).
(3) Remove the nut and bolt (Fig. 2) from the
frame rail and remove the lower suspension arm.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the lower suspension arm in the axle
bracket and frame rail bracket.
NOTE: The end of the arm with the oval bushing
attaches to the axle bracket.
(2) Install the axle bracket bolt and nut finger
tight.
(3) Install the frame rail bracket bolt and nut fin-
ger tight.
(4) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(5) With the vehicle on the ground tighten the nut
at the frame to 156 N´m (115 ft. lbs.). Tighten the
nut at the axle bracket to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
SHOCK
DESCRIPTION
The top of the shock absorbers are bolted to the
body. The bottom of the shocks are bolted to the axle
brackets. The standard shocks have conventional
twin tube construction and are low pressure gas
charged. Gas charging prevents cavitation during
rough road operation. Up-Country shocks are mono
tube design and are high pressure gas charged.
OPERATION
The shock absorbers dampen jounce and rebound
motion of the vehicle over various road conditions
and limit suspension rebound travel.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. Position a
hydraulic jack under the axle to support the axle.
CAUTION: Do not allow the axle to hang from the
upper suspension arm ball joint.
(2) Remove the upper nut and bolt from the frame
bracket (Fig. 3).
(3) Remove the lower nut and bolt from the axle
bracket. Remove the shock absorber.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the shock absorber in the frame bracket
and install the bolt and nut.
(2) Install the shock absorber in the axle bracket
and install the bolt and nut.
(3) Tighten the upper mounting nuts to 108 N´m
(80 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower mounting nuts to 115
N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(4) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
Remover 8278
Fig. 2 Lower Suspension Arm
1 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
2 - AXLE BRACKET
3 - FRAME BRACKET
WJREAR 2 - 19
REAR (Continued)

STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION
The stabilizer bar extends across the back side of
the rear axle. Links are connected between the bar
and frame rail brackets. The stabilizer bar and links
are isolated by rubber bushings.
OPERATION
The stabilizer bar is used to control vehicle body
roll, during turns. The bar helps control the vehicle
body in relationship to the suspension.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the stabilizer bar links from stabilizer
bar and frame mount. (Fig. 7).
(3) Remove the stabilizer bar retainer bolts.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the stabilizer bar on the axle and
install the retainers and bolts. Ensure the bar is cen-
tered with equal spacing on both sides. Tighten the
bolts to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install the links to the stabilizer bar and frame
brackets.
(3) Tighten the nuts at the stabilizer bar to 54
N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
(4) Tighten the nuts at the frame brackets to 92
N´m (68 ft. lbs.).
(5) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
UPPER BALL JOINT
DESCRIPTION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT
The suspension arm uses vertical spool bushings to
isolate road noise. The suspension arm is bolted
through bushings to cage nuts in the body and a ball
joint plate to the top of the differential housing.
OPERATION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT
The upper suspension arm provides fore/aft and
lateral location of the rear axle. The suspension arm
travel is limited through the use of jounce bumpers
in compression and shock absorbers in rebound.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Support the rear axle with a hydraulic jack.
(3) Remove the ball joint nut from the top of the
upper suspension arm (Fig. 8).
(4) Separate ball joint from the arm with Remover
8278 (Fig. 9).
NOTE: It may be necessary to strike the upper con-
trol arm with a hammer to separate the ball joint
from the arm.
(5) Remove the ball joint mounting bolts (Fig.
10)from the differential housing.
(6) Remove the ball joint from the differential
housing.
Fig. 6 Isolator Spring Locator - Typical
1 - LOWER ISOLATOR
2 - SPRING LOCATOR
3 - COIL SPRING
Fig. 7 Rear Stabilizer Bar
1 - LINK
2 - RETAINER
3 - BUSHING
4 - STABILIZER BAR
WJREAR 2 - 21
SPRING (Continued)