2002 JEEP LIBERTY removal

AXLE BEARING/SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft from vehicle.
(2) Drill a shallow hole into soft steel axle bearing
retaining ring with a 3/8 in. drill bit (Fig. 25). Use a
drill depth stop to avoid marking the axle.
(3) With a cold chisel cut the retaining ring across
drilled hole. (Fig. 26)
(4) Slide retaining ring from axle shaft.
(5) Remove axle bearing from the shaft with a
press and Splitter 1130 placed between the seal and
bearing (Fig. 27).
(6) Remove seal from axle.
(7) Remove retaining plate from axle shaft.
Fig. 25 DRILL RETAINING RING
1 - DRILL BIT
2 - AXLE
3 - RETAINING PLATE
4 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 26 CUT RETAINING RING
1 - AXLE
2 - COLD CHISEL
3 - VISE
4 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 27 AXLE BEARING AND SEAL
1 - SPLITTER
2 - AXLE SHAFT
3 - BLOCKS
4 - BLOCKS
3 - 66 REAR AXLE - 198RBIKJ

PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(3) Remove rear brake rotors drums.
(4) Mark propeller shaft and pinion yoke for
installation reference.
(5) Remove the propeller shaft from the yoke.
(6) Rotate pinion gear three or four times and ver-
ify that pinion rotates smoothly.
(7) Measure and record torque to rotate the pinion
gear with an inch pound dial-type torque wrench.
(8) With a short piece of pipe and Spanner Wrench
6958 remove the pinion nut and washer (Fig. 31).
(9) Remove pinion companion flange with Remover
C-452 and Flange Wrench C-3281. (Fig. 32)
(10) Remove pinion seal with Remover 7794-A and
a slide hammer (Fig. 33).
INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal. Install seal with an appropriate
seal installer (Fig. 34).
(2) Install yoke on the pinion gear with Installer
C-3718 and Spanner Wrench 6958 (Fig. 35).(3) Install anewnut on the pinion gear.Tighten
the nut only enough to remove the shaft end
play.
CAUTION: Do not exceed the minimum torque 271
N´m (200 ft. lbs.) when installing the pinion yoke
retaining nut at this point. Damage to collapsible
spacer or bearings may result.
(4) Rotate the pinion a minimum of ten times and
verify pinion rotates smoothly.
(5) Measure and recore pinion torque to rotate
with an inch pound torque wrench. Torque to rotate
should be equal to the reading recorded during
removal, plus 0.56 N´m (5 in. lbs.) (Fig. 36).
Fig. 31 YOKE SPANNER WRENCH
1 - PINION YOKE
2 - WRENCH
3 - PIPE
Fig. 32 PINION YOKE REMOVER
1 - WRENCH
2 - YOKE
3 - REMOVER
Fig. 33 PINION SEAL REMOVER
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
3 - 68 REAR AXLE - 198RBIKJ

(8) Fill differential with gear lubricant.
(9) Install the brake drums
(10) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(11) Lower the vehicle.
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(3) Remove rear brake drums.
(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 and record torque to rotate the pinion
gear with an inch pound dial-type torque wrench.
(8) Hold pinion yoke with Spanner Wrench 6958
and remove pinion nut and washer.
(9) Remove the pinion yoke with Remover C-452
and Flange Wrench C-3281 (Fig. 38).
(10) Remove pinion shaft seal with a pry tool or a
slide hammer mounted screw.
(11) Remove front pinion bearing using a pair of
pick tools. Pull the bearing straight off the pinion
gear shaft. If the bearing becomes bound on the pin-
ion shaft, lightly tap the end of the pinion gear with
a rawhide/rubber hammer.
(12) Remove the collapsible spacer.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install anewcollapsible preload spacer on pin-
ion shaft.
(2) Install pinion front bearing.(3) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal and install anewseal with an
appropriate installer (Fig. 39).
(4) Install yoke with Screw 8112, Cup 8109 and
Spanner Wrench 6958 (Fig. 40).
(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 gear bearing rotating torque and never
exceed specified preload torque. If preload torque
or rotating torque is exceeded a new collapsible
spacer must be installed.
Fig. 38 PINION YOKE
1 - FLANGE WRENCH
2 - YOKE
3 - REMOVER
Fig. 39 PINION SEAL
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 40 PINION YOKE INSTALLER
1 - INSTALLER
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - WRENCH
3 - 70 REAR AXLE - 198RBIKJ
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(6) Using yoke with Spanner Wrench 6958 and a
torque wrench set at 474 N´m (350 ft. lbs.), (Fig. 41)
slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) incre-
ments until the rotating torque is achieved. Measure
the rotating torque frequently to avoid over crushing
the collapsible spacer (Fig. 42).
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.
(7) Check rotating torque with an inch pound
torque wrench (Fig. 42). The rotating torque of the
pinion gear should be, the reading recorded during
removal plus an additional 0.56 N´m (5 in. lbs.).
(8) Install propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(9) Install rear brake drums.
(10) Add gear lubricant, if necessary.
(11) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(12) Remove supports and lower vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove differential cover and drain fluid.
(3) Clean the housing cavity with flushing oil, light
engine oil or lint free cloth.NOTE: Do not use water, steam, kerosene or gaso-
line for cleaning.
(4) Remove axle shafts.
(5)
Note the reference letters stamped on the bearing
caps and housing machined sealing surface (Fig. 43).
Fig. 41 YOKE SPANNER WRENCH
1 - PINION YOKE
2 - WRENCH
3 - PIPE
Fig. 42 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
Fig. 43 BEARING CAP IDENTIFICATION
1 - REFERENCE LETTERS
2 - REFERENCE LETTERS
KJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 71
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER (Continued)

(10) Insert Turning Bar 6960-2 into the pinion
mate shaft hole in the case (Fig. 59).
(11) Loosen the Forcing Screw in small increments
until the clutch pack tension is relieved and the dif-
ferential case can be turned using Turning Bar.
(12) Rotate differential case until the pinion gears
can be removed.
(13) Remove pinion gears from differential case.
(14) Remove Forcing Screw, Step Plate and
Threaded Adapter.
(15) Remove top side gear, clutch pack retainer
and clutch pack. Keep plates in order during removal
(Fig. 60).
(16) Remove differential case from the Holding
Fixture. Remove side gear, clutch pack retainer and
clutch pack. Keep plates in order during removal.
CLEANING
Clean all components in cleaning solvent and dry
components with compressed air.
INSPECTION
Inspect clutch pack plates for wear, scoring or dam-
age. Replace both clutch packs if any one component
in either pack is damaged. Inspect side and pinion
gears for cracks chips or damage and replace as nec-
essary. Inspect differential case and pinion shaft and
replace if worn or damaged.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: New Plates and discs with fiber coating (no
grooves or lines) must be presoaked in Friction
Modifier before assembly. Soak plates and discs for
a minimum of 20 minutes.(1) Lubricate components with gear lubricant.
(2) Assemble clutch discs into packs and secure
disc packs with retaining clips (Fig. 61).
NOTE: Dished plate is position with the convex side
against the side gear.
Fig. 59 PINION GEARS
1 - PINION GEARS
2 - TURNING BAR
Fig. 60 SIDE GEARS AND CLUTCH DISCS
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - RETAINER
3 - SIDE GEAR AND CLUTCH DISC PACK
Fig. 61 CLUTCH PACK
1 - DISCS
2 - DISHED PLATE
3 - RETAINER
4 - SIDE GEAR
5 - RETAINER
6 - PLATES
KJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 77
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK (Continued)

DIFFERENTIAL CASE
BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove differential case from axle housing.
(2) Remove side bearings from the differential case
with Puller/Press C-293-PA, Adapters 8352 and Plug
SP-3289 (Fig. 64).
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. 65).
(2) Install differential case in housing.
(3) Remove support and lower vehicle.
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR/
TONE RING
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 housing.
(5) Place differential case in a vise with soft metal
jaw.
(6) Remove bolts holding ring gear to differential
case.
Fig. 64 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING
1 - ADAPTERS
2 - BEARING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL
4 - PLUG
5 - PULLER
Fig. 65 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS
1 - HANDLE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL
3 - BEARING
4 - INSTALLER
KJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 79

REAR AXLE-81/4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR AXLE-81/4
DESCRIPTION.........................86
OPERATION...........................86
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AXLE..........88
REMOVAL.............................91
INSTALLATION.........................91
ADJUSTMENTS........................92
SPECIFICATIONS
REAR AXLE..........................98
SPECIAL TOOLS
8 1/4 AXLE..........................98
AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL............................101
INSTALLATION........................101
AXLE SHAFT SEALS
REMOVAL............................101
INSTALLATION........................102
AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL............................102
INSTALLATION........................102PINION SEAL
REMOVAL............................102
INSTALLATION........................103
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL............................104
DISASSEMBLY........................105
ASSEMBLY...........................105
INSTALLATION........................105
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRAC-LOKT....106
DISASSEMBLY........................107
CLEANING...........................109
INSPECTION.........................109
ASSEMBLY...........................109
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS
REMOVAL............................110
INSTALLATION........................110
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR/TONE RING
REMOVAL............................110
INSTALLATION........................112
REAR AXLE-81/4
DESCRIPTION
The axle housings consist of a cast iron center sec-
tion with axle tubes extending from either side. The
tubes are pressed into and welded to the differential
housing to form a one-piece axle housing. The axles
are equipped with semi-floating axle shafts, meaning
vehicle loads are supported by the axle shaft and
bearings. The axle shafts are retained by C-locks in
the differential side gears.
The differential case is a one-piece design. The dif-
ferential pinion mate shaft is retained with a
threaded pin. Differential bearing preload and ring
gear backlash are set and maintained by threaded
adjusters at the outside of the differential housing.
Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the
use of a collapsible spacer.
The differential cover provides a means for inspec-
tion and service without removing the complete axlefrom the vehicle. A vent hose is used to relieve inter-
nal pressure caused by lubricant vaporization and
internal expansion.
Axles equipped with a Trac-Loktdifferential are
optional. A differential has a one-piece differential
case, and the same internal components as a stan-
dard differential, plus two clutch disc packs.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transmission/
transfer case through the rear propeller shaft. The
rear propeller shaft 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.
3 - 86 REAR AXLE-81/4KJ

REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Position a lift/jack under the axle and secure
axle to device.
(3) Remove wheels and tires.
(4) Mark propeller shaft and pinion yoke for
installation reference.
(5) Remove propeller shaft and suspend under the
vehicle.
(6) Remove brake drums, parking brake cables and
speed sensor from the axle.
(7) Disconnect the brake hose at the body junction
block.
(8) Remove brakes and backing plates.
(9) Remove vent hose from the axle shaft tube.
(10) Remove the stabilizer bar (Fig. 4).
(11) Remove upper control arm ball joint pinch
bolt from bracket (Fig. 5).
(12) Remove shock absorbers from axle brackets
(Fig. 6).
(13) Loosen all lower control arms mounting bolts
(Fig. 7).
(14) Lower axle enough to remove coil springs and
spring insulators.
(15) Remove lower control arm bolts from the axle
brackets.
(16) Lower and remove the axle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be sup-
ported by the springs before the lower control arms
are tightened. This must be done to maintain vehi-
cle ride height and prevent premature bushing fail-
ure.(1) Raise the axle under the vehicle.
(2) Install lower control arms onto the axle brack-
ets and loosely install the mounting bolts.
(3) Install coil spring isolators and spring.
(4) Raise axle up until springs are seated.
(5) Install upper control arm ball joint into axle
bracket and tighten pinch bolt to torque specification.
(6) Install shock absorbers and tighten nuts to
torque specification.
(7) Install stabilizer bar and tighten nuts to torque
specification.
(8) Install brake backing plates, parking brake
cables, brake drums and speed sensor.
(9) Install brake hose to the body junction block
and bleed the brakes.
Fig. 4 STABILIZER BAR MOUNTS
1 - STABILIZER BAR MOUNTING BOLTS
2 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
Fig. 5 BALL JOINT PINCH BOLT
1 - UPPER BALL JOINT
2 - PINCH BOLT
Fig. 6 SHOCK ABSORBER
1 - UPPER MOUNTING BOLT
2 - LOWER MOUNTING BOLT
KJREAR AXLE - 8 1/4 3 - 91
REAR AXLE - 8 1/4 (Continued)