2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Bolts

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Axle Noise 1. Insufficient lubricant. 1. Fill differential with the correct
fluid type and quantity.
2. Improper ring gear and pinion
adjustment.2. Check ring gear and pinion
contact pattern.
3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion. 3. Replace gears with a matched
ring gear and pinion.
4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or
pinion.4. Replace ring gear and pinion.
5. Loose pinion bearings. 5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load.
6. Loose differential bearings. 6. Adjust differential bearing
pre-load.
7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear. 7. Measure ring gear run-out.
Replace components as necessary.
8. Loose differential bearing cap
bolts.8. Inspect differential components
and replace as necessary. Ensure
that the bearing caps are torqued
tot he proper specification.
9. Housing not machined properly. 9. Replace housing.
VARI-LOKT
(1) Park the vehicle on a level surface or raise
vehicle on hoist so that the vehicle is level.
(2) Remove the axle fill plug.
(3) Verify that the axle fluid level is correct. The
fluid level is correct if the fluid is level with the bot-
tom of the fill hole.
(4) Shift the transfer case into the 4WD full-time
position.
(5) Drive the vehicle in a tight circle for 2 minutes
at 5mph to fully prime the pump.
(6) Block the tires opposite the axle to be tested to
prevent the vehicle from moving.
(7) Shift the transfer case into the 4WD Low posi-
tion and the transmission into the Park position.
(8) Raise both the wheels of the axle to be tested
off of the ground.
(9) Rotate the left wheel by hand at a minimum of
one revolution per second while an assistant rotates
the right wheel in the opposite direction.
(10) The left wheel should spin freely at first and
then increase in resistance within 5 revolutions until
the wheels cannot be continuously rotated in opposite
directions.
(11) The Vari-loktdifferential has engaged prop-
erly if the wheels cannot be rotated in opposite direc-tions for a moment. After the wheels stop rotating for
a moment, the fluid pressure will drop in the differ-
ential and the wheels begin to rotate once again.
(12) If the system does not operate properly,
replace the Vari-loktdifferential.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Position a lifting device under the axle and
secure axle.
(3) Remove the wheels and tires.
(4) Remove brake calipers and rotors.
(5) Disconnect parking brake cables from brackets
and lever.
(6) Remove wheel speed sensors.
(7) Remove brake hose at the axle junction block.
Do not disconnect the brake hydraulic lines at the
calipers.
(8) Disconnect the vent hose from the axle shaft
tube.
(9) Mark propeller shaft and yokes for installation
reference.
(10) Remove propeller shaft.
(11) Disconnect stabilizer bar links.
(12) Remove upper suspension arm rear axle ball
joint nut.
WJREAR AXLE - 198RBI 3 - 55
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (Continued)

(13) Separate rear axle ball joint from the upper
suspension arm with Remover 8278 (Fig. 4).
(14) Disconnect shock absorbers from axle.
(15) Disconnect track bar.
(16) Disconnect lower suspension arms from the
axle brackets.
(17) Separate the axle from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be sup-
ported by the springs before suspension arms and
track bar fasteners are tightened. If springs are not
at their normal ride position, vehicle ride height and
handling could be affected.
(1) Raise axle with lift and align coil springs.
(2) Install lower suspension arms in axle brackets.
Install nuts and bolts, do not tighten bolts at this
time.
(3) Install upper suspension arm on rear axle ball
joint.
(4) Install rear axle ball joint nut and tighten to
122 N´m (90 ft.lbs.) (Fig. 5).
(5) Install track bar and attachment bolts, do not
tighten bolts at this time.
(6) Install shock absorbers and tighten nuts to 60
N´m (44 ft. lbs.).(7) Install stabilizer bar links and tighten nuts to
36 N´m (27 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install wheel speed sensors.
(9) Connect parking brake cable to brackets and
lever.
(10) Install brake rotors and calipers.
(11) Install the brake hose to the axle junction
block.
(12) Install axle vent hose.
(13) Align propeller shaft and pinion yoke refer-
ence marks. Install U-joint straps and nuts tighten to
19 N´m (14 ft. lbs.).
(14) Install the wheels and tires.
(15) Add gear lubricant, if necessary.
(16) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
(17) Tighten lower suspension arm bolts to 177
N´m (130 ft. lbs.).
(18) Tighten track bar bolts to 100 N´m (74 ft.
lbs.).
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched
sets only. The identifying numbers for the ring and
pinion gear are etched into the face of each gear (Fig.
6). A plus (+) number, minus (±) number or zero (0) is
etched into the face of the pinion gear. This number
is the amount (in thousandths of an inch) the depth
varies from the standard depth setting of a pinion
etched with a (0). The standard setting from the cen-
ter line of the ring gear to the back face of the pinion
is 96.850 mm (3.813 in.). The standard depth pro-
vides the best gear tooth contact pattern. Refer to
Backlash and Contact Pattern Analysis paragraph in
this section for additional information.
Fig. 4 REAR BALL JOINT
1 - REMOVER
2 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
3 - BALL JOINT STUD
Fig. 5 REAR BALL JOINT NUT
1 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
2 - REAR AXLE BALL JOINT
3 - REAR AXLE
3 - 56 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (Continued)

PINION DEPTH MEASUREMENT
Measurements are taken with pinion bearing cups
and pinion bearings installed in the housing. Take
measurements with Pinion Gauge Set and Dial Indi-
cator C-3339 (Fig. 8).
(1) Assemble Pinion Height Block 6739, Pinion
Block 6735 and rear pinion bearing onto Screw 6741
(Fig. 8).
(2) Insert assembled height gauge components,
rear bearing and screw into the housing through pin-
ion bearing cups (Fig. 9).
(3) Install front pinion bearing and Cone-nut 6740
hand tight (Fig. 8).
(4) Place Arbor Disc 6732 on Arbor D-115-3 in posi-
tion in the housing side bearing cradles (Fig. 10).
Install differential bearing caps on Arbor Discs and
tighten cap bolts to 41 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Arbor Discs 6732 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 the 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.
Fig. 8 PINION GEAR DEPTH GAUGE TOOLS
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - ARBOR
3 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
4 - CONE
5 - SCREW
6 - PINION BLOCK
7 - SCOOTER BLOCK
8 - ARBOR DISC
Fig. 9 PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
1 - PINION BLOCK
2 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
Fig. 10 GAUGE TOOLS IN HOUSING
1 - ARBOR DISC
2 - PINION BLOCK
3 - ARBOR
4 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
3 - 58 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
REAR AXLE - 198RBI (Continued)

(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)

(5) Record the thickness of Dummy Shims 8107.
Insert the shims between the dummy bearings and
the differential housing (Fig. 13).
(6) Install the marked bearing caps in their correct
positions. Install and snug the bolts (Fig. 14).(7) Using a dead-blow type hammer seat the differ-
ential dummy bearings to each side of the housing
(Fig. 15) and (Fig. 16).
Fig. 13 SHIM POINT
1 - DUMMY SHIM
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
4 - DUMMY BEARINGS
Fig. 14 BEARING CAP BOLTS
1 - BEARING CAP
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 15 SEAT PINION SIDE BEARING
1 - MALLET
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 16 SEAT RING GEAR SIDE BEARING
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - MALLET
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - 60 REAR AXLE - 198RBIWJ
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)