2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE axle seal front

CAUTION: Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pin-
ion rotating torque and never exceed specified pre-
load torque. If preload torque or rotating torque is
exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be
installed.
(4) Rotate pinion a minimum of ten time and ver-
ify pinion rotates smoothly. Rotate the pinion shaft
with an inch pound torque wrench. Rotating torque
should be equal to the reading recorded during
removal plus 0.56 N´m (5 in. lbs.) (Fig. 33).
(5) If the rotating torque is low, use Spanner
Wrench 6958 to hold the pinion companion flange
(Fig. 34), and tighten the pinion shaft nut in 6.8 N´m
(5 ft. lbs.) increments until proper rotating torque is
achieved.
CAUTION: If maximum tightening torque is reached
prior to reaching the required rotating torque, thecollapsible spacer may have been damaged.
Replace the collapsible spacer.
Fig. 31 PINION SEAL
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
Fig. 32 PINION SEAL
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 33 PINION ROTATION TORQUE
1 - PINION YOKE/COMPANION FLANGE
2 - INCH POUND TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 34 PINION SHAFT NUT
1 - PINION FLANGE
2 - FRONT AXLE
3 - SPANNER WRENCH
3 - 38 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(6) Install propeller shaft with installation refer-
ence marks aligned.
(7) Fill differential with gear lubricant.
(8) Install brake rotors and calipers.
(9) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(10) Lower the vehicle.
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(3) Remove brake rotors and calipers. Refer to 5
Brakes for procedures.
(4) Mark the propeller shaft and pinion companion
flange for installation reference.
(5) Remove propeller shaft from the pinion com-
panion flange.
(6) Rotate pinion gear a minimum of ten times and
verify pinion rotates smoothly.
(7) Record pinion gear rotating torque with a
torque wrench for installation reference.
(8) Remove pinion nut and washer. Using a short
piece of pipe and Spanner Wrench 6958 to hold the
pinion companion flange.
(9) Remove pinion companion flange with Remover
C-452 and Flange Wrench C-3281.
(10) Remove pinion shaft seal with Remover
7794-A and slide hammer (Fig. 35).
(11) Remove front pinion bearing using a pair of
pick tools to pull the bearing straight off pinion
shaft.NOTE: If bearing becomes bound on the pinion
shaft, lightly tap the end of the pinion gear with a
rawhide/rubber mallet.
(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. Install seal with an appropriate
installer (Fig. 36).
(4) Install pinion companion flange with Installer
W-162-D, Cup 8109 and Flange Holder 6958.
(5) Install pinion washer and anewnut on the
pinion gear. Tighten the nut to 298 N´m (220 ft. lbs.)
minimum.Do not overtighten.Maximum torque is
500 N´m (368 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pin-
ion rotating torque and never exceed specified pre-
load torque. If preload torque is exceeded a new
collapsible spacer must be installed.
(6) Using Spanner Wrench 6958, a length of 1 in.
pipe and a torque wrench set at 500 N´m (368 ft. lbs.)
crush collapsible spacer until bearing end play is
taken up (Fig. 37).
(7) Slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.)
increments until the required rotating torque is
achieved. Measure the rotating torque frequently to
avoid over crushing the collapsible spacer.
(8) Rotate pinion gear a minimum of ten times and
verify pinion rotates smoothly. Check rotating torque
with an inch pound torque wrench. The rotating
torque should be the amount recorded during
removal plus:
²Original Bearings: 0.56 N´m (5 in. lbs.).
Fig. 35 PINION SEAL PULLER
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
Fig. 36 PINION SEAL INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
WJFRONT AXLE - 186FBI 3 - 39
PINION SEAL (Continued)

²New Bearings: 1.7 to 3.4 N´m (15 to 30 in. lbs.).
(9) Install propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(10) Install brake rotors and calipers.
(11) Add gear lubricant if necessary.
(12) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(13) Lower vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove lubricant fill hole plug from the differ-
ential housing cover.
(3) Remove differential cover and drain lubricant.
(4) Clean the housing cavity with a flushing oil,
light engine oil or lint free cloth.Never use water,
steam, kerosene or gasoline for cleaning.
(5) Remove hub bearings and axle shafts.
(6) Note installation reference letters stamped on
the bearing caps and housing machined sealing sur-
face (Fig. 38).
(7) Loosen the differential bearing cap bolts.
(8) Position Spreader W-129-B with Adapter Kit
6987B on differential locating holes (Fig. 39). Install
hold down clamps and tighten the tool turnbuckle
finger-tight.
Fig. 37 PINION COMPANION FLANGE
1 - COMPANION FLNAGE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - SPANNER WRENCH
Fig. 38 BEARING CAP IDENTIFICATION
1 - REFERENCE LETTERS
2 - REFERENCE LETTERS
Fig. 39 DIFFERENTIAL SPREADER LOCATION
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - ADAPTER
3 - HOLD DOWN CLAMPS
4 - SPREADER
5 - TURNBUCKLE
3 - 40 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER (Continued)

(11) Apply a bead 6.35mm (1/4 inch) of red Mopar
Silicone Rubber Sealant or equivalent to the housing
cover (Fig. 48).
CAUTION: If cover is not installed within 3 to 5 min-
utes, the cover must be cleaned and new RTV
applied or adhesion quality will be compromised.
(12) Install differential cover and tighten cover
bolts in a criss-cross pattern to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(13) Fill differential with gear lubricant to bottom
of the fill plug hole.
(14) Tighten fill plug to 34 N´m (25 ft. lbs.).
(15) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL CASE
BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove differential case from housing.
(2) Remove bearings from the differential case
with Puller C-293-PA, Adapters 8352 and Plug
SP-3289 (Fig. 49).
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If replacement differential side bearings or
differential case are being installed, differential side
bearing shim requirements may change. Refer to
Adjustments (Differential Bearing Preload and Gear
Backlash) to determine the proper shim selection.
CAUTION: Vari-lokTplenum must be fully seated
against the differential case prior to installing the
ring gear side differential bearing.
(1) Install differential side bearings with Handle
C-4171 and Installer C-3726-A (Fig. 50).
(2) Install differential in housing.
Fig. 48 DIFFERENTIAL COVER
1 - COVER
2 - SEALANT
3 - SEALANT BEADFig. 49 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING
1 - ADAPTERS
2 - BEARING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL
4 - PLUG
5 - PULLER
3 - 44 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

(10) Remove pinion gear and collapsible spacer
from housing (Fig. 53).
(11) Remove front pinion bearing cup, bearing, oil
slinger and pinion seal with Remover D-158 and
Handle C-4171 (Fig. 54).(12) Remove rear pinion bearing cup (Fig. 55) with
Remover C-4307 and Handle C-4171.
(13) Remove collapsible preload spacer from pinion
gear (Fig. 56).
(14) Remove rear pinion bearing from the pinion
with Puller/Press C-293-PA and Adapters C-293-42
(Fig. 57). Remove oil slinger/pinion depth shim from
the pinion shaft and record thickness.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Pinion depth shims are placed between the
rear pinion bearing cone and the pinion head to
achieve proper ring and pinion gear mesh. If ring
and pinion gears are reused, the pinion oil slinger/
depth shim should not require replacement. Refer
to Adujstments (Pinion Gear Depth) to select the
proper thickness shim before installing pinion gear.
(1) Apply Mopar Door Ease or equivalent lubricant
to outside surface of pinion bearing cups.
(2) Install rear bearing cup with Installer C-4308
and Handle C-4171 and verify cup is seated (Fig. 58).
(3) Install bearing cup with Installer D-144 and
Handle C-4171 (Fig. 59) and verify cup is seated.
(4) Install front pinion bearing, and oil slinger if
equipped.
Fig. 53 REMOVE PINION GEAR
1 - RAWHIDE HAMMER
Fig. 54 FRONT PINION BEARING CUP
1 - REMOVER
2 - HANDLE
Fig. 55 REAR PINION BEARING CUP
1 - REMOVER
2 - HANDLE
3 - 46 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)

(5) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal and install seal with an appropriate
installer (Fig. 60).
(6) Install rear pinion bearing and oil slinger/depth
shim onto the pinion shaft with Installer 6448 and a
press (Fig. 61).
(7) Install anewcollapsible spacer on pinion shaft
and install the pinion into the housing (Fig. 62).
(8) Install pinion companion flange, with Installer
W-162-B, Cup 8109 and Spanner Wrench 6958.(9) Install pinion washer and anewnut onto the
pinion gear and tighten the nut to 298 N´m (220 ft.
lbs.).Do not over-tighten.
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion gear nut to decrease
pinion rotating torque and never exceed specified
preload torque. If preload torque is exceeded a new
collapsible spacer must be installed.
(10) Use Flange Wrench 6958, a length of 1 in.
pipe and a torque wrench set at 500 N´m (368 ft. lbs.)
and crush collapsible spacer until bearing end play is
taken up (Fig. 63).
(11) Slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lb.)
increments until the required rotating torque is
achieved. Measure the rotating torque frequently to
avoid over crushing the collapsible spacer (Fig. 64).
(12) Rotate the pinion a minimum of ten times.
Verify pinion rotates smoothly and check rotating
torque with an inch pound torque wrench (Fig. 64).
Pinion gear rotating torque is:
²Original Bearings: 1 to 2.25 N´m (10 to 20 in.
lbs.).
²New Bearings: 1.7 to 3.4 N´m (15 to 30 in. lbs.).
(13) Invert the differential case and start two ring
gear bolts. This will provide case-to-ring gear bolt
hole alignment.
Fig. 60 PINION SEAL
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 61 REAR PINION BEARING
1 - INSTALLER
2 - OIL SLINGER
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - REAR PINION BEARING
5 - PRESS
Fig. 62 COLLAPSIBLE PRELOAD SPACER
1 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
2 - SHOULDER
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DEPTH SHIM
5 - REAR BEARING
3 - 48 FRONT AXLE - 186FBIWJ
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)

(6) If the rotating torque is low, use Spanner
Wrench 6958 to hold the pinion yoke (Fig. 37), and
tighten the pinion nut in 6.8 N´m (5 ft. lbs.) incre-
ments until the proper rotating torque is achieved.
CAUTION: If maximum tightening torque is reached
prior to reaching required rotating torque, the col-
lapsible spacer may have been damaged. Replace
the collapsible spacer.
(7) Install the propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(8) Add gear lubricant to the differential if neces-
sary.
(9) Install brake rotors and calipers.
(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 calipers and rotors.
(4) Mark propeller shaft and pinion yoke for
installation reference and remove propeller shaft.
(5) Rotate pinion gear a minimum of ten times and
verify pinion rotates smoothly.
(6) Record rotate torque of the pinion gear, with an
inch pound torque wrench.
(7) Hold pinion yoke with Spanner Wrench 6958
and remove pinion nut and washer (Fig. 38).
(8) Remove pinion yoke with Remover C-452 and
Wrench C-3281 (Fig. 39).(9) Remove pinion shaft seal with Remover 7794-A
and slide hammer (Fig. 40).
(10) Remove front pinion bearing using a pair of
pick tools to pull the bearing off the pinion gear
shaft.
NOTE: If the pinion bearing becomes bound on the
pinion shaft, lightly tap the end of the shaft with a
rawhide/rubber mallet.
(11) Remove the collapsible spacer.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install anewcollapsible spacer on pinion
shaft.
(2) Install pinion front bearing on the pinion shaft.
Fig. 37 PINION SHAFT NUT
1 - SPANNER WRENCH
2 - PIPE
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 38 PINION YOKE HOLDER
1 - 1 in. PIPE
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - SPANNER WRENCH
4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
Fig. 39 PINION YOKE PULLER
1 - WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - PULLER
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 73
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(9) Remove pinion yoke from pinion shaft with
Remover C-452 and Flange Wrench C-3281 (Fig. 73).
(10) Remove pinion gear from housing (Fig. 74).(11) Remove pinion seal with Remover 7794-A and
a slide hammer (Fig. 75).
(12) Remove oil slinger, if equipped, and front pin-
ion bearing.
(13) Remove front pinion bearing cup with
Remover C-4345 and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 76).
Fig. 73 PINION YOKE REMOVER
1 - FLANGE WRENCH
2 - YOKE
3 - REMOVER
Fig. 74 PINION GEAR REMOVAL
1 - RAWHIDE HAMMER
Fig. 75 PINION SEAL
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
Fig. 76 FRONT PINION BEARING CUP
1 - REMOVER
2 - HANDLE
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 85
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)