preload JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2002 WJ / 2.G Owner's Guide

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)

(14) Remove differential case and dummy bearings
from the housing.
(15) Install the pinion gear in the housing. Install
the pinion yoke and establish the correct pinion
rotating torque.
(16) Install differential case and Dummy Bearings
6929-A 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 read-
ing. This will be the total shim thickness to achieve
zero backlash.
(22) Subtract 0.152 mm (0.006 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 backlash shim thickness from the
total preload shim thickness. The remainder is 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.
(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 housing.
(31) Rotate the differential case several times to
seat the side bearings.
Fig. 20 ZERO DIAL INDICATOR
1 - DIAL INDICATOR FACE
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Fig. 21 DIFFERENTIAL CASE RING GEAR SIDE
1 - READ DIAL INDICATOR
2 - FORCE DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - 102 REAR AXLE - 226RBAWJ
REAR AXLE - 226RBA (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 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 3.91
Differential Bearing Preload 0.025 mm (0.001 in.)
Ring Gear Diameter 226 mm (8.9 in.)
Ring Gear Backlash 0.076.-0.15 mm (0.003-0.006 in.)
Pinion Gear Std. Depth 109.52 mm (4.312 in.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - Original Bearings 1-2 N´m (10-20 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - New Bearings 2.8-4 N´m (25-35 in. lbs.)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Differential Cover Bolts 41 30 -
Bearing Cap Bolts 85 63 -
Ring Gear Bolts 136 100 -
Pinion Nut 298-380 220-280 -
Pinion Mate Shaft Screw 17.6 13 -
Axle Bearing Retainer Plate
Nuts61 45 -
WJREAR AXLE - 226RBA 3 - 105
REAR AXLE - 226RBA (Continued)

(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.
(3) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal and install seal with an appropriate
installer (Fig. 41).
(4) Install yoke with Installer C-3718 and Spanner
Wrench 6958 (Fig. 42).(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 rotating torque and never exceed specified pre-
load torque. If preload torque or rotating torque is
exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be installed.
(6) Using yoke with Spanner Wrench 6958 and a
torque wrench set at 380 N´m (280 ft. lbs.), (Fig. 43)
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. 44).
Fig. 43 PINION NUT
1 - SPANNER WRENCH
2 - PIPE
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 40 PINION SEAL REMOVER
1 - REMOVER
2 - SLIDE HAMMER
3 - PINION SEAL
Fig. 41 PINION SEAL INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 42 Pinion Yoke Installer
1 - INSTALLER
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
4 - SPANNER WRENCH
3 - 114 REAR AXLE - 226RBAWJ
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER (Continued)

DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove pinion shaft lock screw (Fig. 50).
(2) Remove pinion shaft.
(3) Rotate differential side gears and remove dif-
ferential pinions and thrust washers (Fig. 51).
(4) Remove differential side gears and thrust
washers.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Install differential side gears and thrust wash-
ers.
(2) Install differential pinion gears and thrust
washers.
(3) Install the pinion mate shaft.
(4) Align hole in the pinion mate shaft with the
hole in the differential case and install the pinion
mate shaft lock screw.
(5) Lubricate all differential components with
hypoid gear lubricant.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If replacement differential bearings or differ-
ential case are being installed, differential side
bearing shim requirements may change. Refer
Adjustments (Differential Bearing Preload and Gear
Backlash) to determine the proper shim selection.
(1) Position Spreader W-129-B with Adapter set
6987 on differential housing locating holes. Install
the holddown clamps and tighten the tool turnbuckle
finger-tight.
(2) Install a Pilot Stud C-3288-B at the left side of
the differential housing. Attach Dial Indicator C-3339
to pilot stud. Load the indicator plunger against the
opposite side of the housing and zero the indicator.
CAUTION: Never spread the housing over 0.38 mm
(0.015 in). If housing is over-spread, it could be dis-
torted or damaged.
(3) Spread housing enough to install the case in
the housing.
(4) Remove the dial indicator.
(5) Install differential case in housing (Fig. 52).
Verify differential bearing cups remain in position on
the bearings and preload shims are between the face
of the bearing cup and the housing. Tap the differen-
tial case to ensure bearings cups and shims are
seated in the housing.
CAUTION: On a Vari-lokTdifferential the oil feed
tube must be pointed at the bottom of the housing
(Fig. 53). If differential is installed with the oil feed
tube pointed at the top, the anti-rotation tabs will be
damaged.
(6) Install bearing caps in their original locations
(Fig. 54).
(7) Loosely install differential bearing cap bolts.
(8) Remove axle housing spreader.
(9) Tighten bearing cap bolts in a criss-cross pat-
tern to 77 N´m (57 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install the axle shafts.
Fig. 50 SHAFT LOCK SCREW
1 - LOCK SCREW
2 - PINION SHAFT
Fig. 51 DIFFERENTIAL GEARS
1 - THRUST WASHER
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - DIFFERENTIAL PINION
WJREAR AXLE - 226RBA 3 - 117
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

(6) Install lubricated Step Plate C-6960-3 in lower
side gear (Fig. 68).
(7) Install the upper side gear and clutch disc pack
(Fig. 68).
(8) Hold assembly in position. Insert Threaded
Adapter C-6960-1 into top side gear.
(9) Install Forcing Screw C-6960-4 and tighten
screw to slightly compress clutch disc.
(10) Place pinion gears in position in side gears
and verify that the pinion mate shaft hole is aligned.
(11) Rotate case with Turning Bar C-6960-2 until
the pinion mate shaft holes in pinion gears align
with holes in case. It may be necessary to slightly
tighten the forcing screw in order to install the pin-
ion gears.
(12) Tighten forcing screw to 122 N´m (90 ft. lbs.)
maximum to compress the Belleville springs.
(13) Lubricate and install thrust washers behind
pinion gears and align washers with a small screw
driver. Insert mate shaft into each pinion gear to ver-
ify alignment.
(14) Remove Forcing Screw, Step Plate and
Threaded Adapter.
(15) Install pinion gear mate shaft and align holes
in shaft and case.(16) Install pinion mate shaft lock screw finger
tight to hold shaft during differential installation.
(17) Lubricate all differential components with
hypoid gear lubricant.
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 8353 and Plug
C-293-3 (Fig. 69).
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.
Fig. 68 CLUTCH PACK AND UPPER SIDE GEAR
1 - SIDE GEAR AND CLUTCH PACK
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - STEP PLATE
Fig. 69 Differential Bearing Removal
1 - ADAPTERS
2 - BEARING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL
4 - PLUG
5 - PULLER
WJREAR AXLE - 226RBA 3 - 123
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK (Continued)

(14) Remove rear bearing cup from housing (Fig.
77) with Remover C-4307 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-293-42 (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 - DEPTH SHIM
5 - REAR BEARING
Fig. 79 Rear Pinion Bearing Puller
1 - PULLER
2 - VISE
3 - ADAPTERS
4 - PINION GEAR SHAFT
3 - 126 REAR AXLE - 226RBAWJ
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 298 N´m (220 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 380 N´m (280 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 380 N´m (280 ft. lbs.) torque is
required to crush the collapsible spacer, the spacer
is defective and must be replaced.
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
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
4 - SPANNER WRENCH
Fig. 86 PINION NUT
1 - SPANNER WRENCH
2 - PIPE
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
3 - 128 REAR AXLE - 226RBAWJ
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)

(13) Check bearing rotating torque with a inch
pound torque wrench (Fig. 87). The pinion gear rotat-
ing torque should be:
²
Original Bearings: 1 to 2.25 N´m (10 to 20 in. lbs.).
²New Bearings: 2.8 to 4 N´m (25 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.
(15) Invert the differential case in the vise.
(16) Installnewring gear bolts and alternately
tighten to 129-142 N´m (95-105 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 88).
CAUTION: Never reuse the ring gear bolts. The
bolts can fracture causing extensive damage.
NOTE: If equipped with Veri-LokTdifferential install
oil feed plenum and side bearing.
(17) Install differential in housing.
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)
Verify differential bearing preload, gear mesh
and contact pattern. Refer to Ajustments for procedure.
(19) Install differential cover and fill with gear
lubricant.(20) Install the propeller shaft with the reference
marks aligned.
(21) 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 - 226RBA 3 - 129
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)