Tools JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2003 WJ / 2.G Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: JEEP, Model Year: 2003, Model line: GRAND CHEROKEE, Model: JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2003 WJ / 2.GPages: 2199, PDF Size: 76.01 MB
Page 27 of 2199

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 
Page 29 of 2199

SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT SUSPENSION
Remover/Installer Suspension Bushing 7932
Spacer 8279
Nut, Long 7603
Bolt, Special 7604
Remover C-4150A
Remover/Installer 6289
Reciever 6761
Installer 6752
2 - 8 FRONTWJ
FRONT (Continued) 
Page 30 of 2199

BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the upper suspension arm from axle.
(2) Position Spacer 8279 over the axle bushing on
a 4x2 vehicle and right side on a 4x4 vehicle.
(3) Place Receiver 7932-1 over flanged end of the
bushing. (Fig. 2).
(4) Place small end of Remover/Install 7932-2
against other side of the bushing.
(5) Install bolt 7604 through remover, bushing and
receiver.
(6) Install Long Nut 7603 and tighten nut too pull
bushing out of the axle bracket.
(7) Remove nut, bolt, receiver, remover and bush-
ing.
NOTE: On 4x2 vehicle and right side of 4x4 vehicle,
leave Spacer 8279 in position for bushing installa-
tion.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place Receiver 7932-1on the other side of the
axle bracket.
(2) Position new bushing up to the axle bracket.,
and large end of Remover/Install 7932-2 against the
bushing (Fig. 3).
(3) Install bolt 7604 through receiver, bushing and
installer.
(4) Install Long Nut 7603 and tighten nut to draw
the bushing into the axle bracket.(5) Remove tools and install the upper suspension
arm.
HUB / BEARING
DESCRIPTION
The bearing used on the front hub of this vehicle is
the combined hub and bearing unit type assembly.
This unit assembly combines the front wheel mount-
ing hub (flange) and the front wheel bearing into a
one piece unit. The wheel mounting studs are the
only replaceable component of the hub/bearing
assembly.
OPERATION
The hub/bearing assembly is mounted to the steer-
ing knuckle and is retained by three mounting bolts
accessible from the back of the steering knuckle. The
hub/bearing unit is not serviceable and must be
replaced as an assembly if the bearing or the hub is
determined to be defective.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the brake caliper, caliper anchor, rotor
and ABS wheel speed sensor,(Refer to 5 - BRAKES/
ELECTRICAL/FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR -
REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the cotter pin, nut retainer and axle
hub nut.
(5) Remove the hub bearing mounting bolts from
the back of the steering knuckle. Remove hub bear-
Fig. 2 Bushing Removal
1 - RECEIVER
2 - AXLE BRACKET
3 - BOLT
4 - REMOVER/INSTALLER
5 - LONG NUT
Fig. 3 Bushing Installation
1 - REMOVER/INSTALLER
2 - AXLE BRACKET
3 - BOLT
4 - RECEIVER
5 - LONG NUT
WJFRONT 2 - 9 
Page 32 of 2199

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 
Page 36 of 2199

(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) 
Page 38 of 2199

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 
Page 40 of 2199

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) 
Page 46 of 2199

DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PROPELLER SHAFT......................1
FRONT TUBE AXLE......................14
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI....................15REAR AXLE - 198RBI.....................50
REAR AXLE - 226RBA....................90
PROPELLER SHAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................1
STANDARD PROCEDURES................3
SPECIFICATIONS........................5
SPECIAL TOOLS........................5
PROPELLER SHAFT - FRONT
REMOVAL.............................6
INSTALLATION..........................6
PROPELLER SHAFT - FRONT 4.7L
REMOVAL.............................6INSTALLATION..........................7
PROPELLER SHAFT - REAR
REMOVAL.............................7
INSTALLATION..........................7
SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS
DISASSEMBLY..........................8
ASSEMBLY.............................9
DOUBLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS
DISASSEMBLY..........................9
ASSEMBLY............................10
PROPELLER SHAFT
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
VIBRATION
Tires that are out-of-round, or wheels that are
unbalanced, will cause a low frequency vibration.
(Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
Brake rotors that are unbalanced will cause a
harsh, low frequency vibration. (Refer to 5 - BRAKES
- DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)Driveline vibration can also result from loose or
damaged engine mounts.
Propeller shaft vibration increases as the vehicle
speed is increased. A vibration that occurs within a
specific speed range is not usually caused by a pro-
peller shaft being unbalanced. Defective universal
joints, or an incorrect propeller shaft angle, are usu-
ally the cause of such a vibration.
WJDIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE 3 - 1 
Page 50 of 2199

SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Front Shaft - Companion Flange Bolts 32 24 -
4.7L Front Shaft - Axle Yoke Nuts 19 14 -
4.7L Front Shaft - Transfer Case Bolts 27 20 -
Rear Shaft - Yoke Nuts 19 14 -
SPECIAL TOOLS
Fig. 7 U-JOINT ANGLE EXAMPLE
1 - 4.9É Angle (C)
2 - 3.2É Angle (B)
3 - Input Yoke4 - 3.0É Angle (A)
5 - Output Yoke
Inclinometer 7663
WJPROPELLER SHAFT 3 - 5
PROPELLER SHAFT (Continued) 
Page 60 of 2199

FRONT AXLE - 186FBI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI
DESCRIPTION.........................15
OPERATION...........................15
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING................16
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................21
ADJUSTMENTS........................21
SPECIFICATIONS.......................30
SPECIAL TOOLS.......................31
AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL.............................34
INSTALLATION.........................34
AXLE SHAFT SEALS
REMOVAL.............................35
INSTALLATION.........................35
AXLE - C/V JOINT
REMOVAL.............................35
INSTALLATION.........................35
AXLE - U-JOINT
REMOVAL.............................36INSTALLATION.........................37
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................37
COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
REMOVAL.............................39
INSTALLATION.........................39
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL.............................40
DISASSEMBLY.........................42
ASSEMBLY............................42
INSTALLATION.........................43
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS
REMOVAL.............................44
INSTALLATION.........................44
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR
REMOVAL.............................45
INSTALLATION.........................46
FRONT AXLE - 186FBI
DESCRIPTION
The Front Beam-design Iron (FBI) axle consists of
a cast iron differential housing with axle shaft tubes
extending from either side. The tubes are pressed
into the differential housing and welded. The axles
are semi-floating axle shafts, meaning the loads are
supported by the hub bearings. The axle shafts are
retained by nuts at the hub bearings.
The differential case is a one-piece design. Differ-
ential bearing preload and ring gear backlash is
adjusted by the use of shims located between the dif-
ferential bearing cups and housing. Pinion bearing
preload is set and maintained by the use of a collaps-
ible spacer. A differential cover provides a means for
inspection and servicing.
An optional Vari-Loktdifferential has a one-piece
differential case which contains the gerotor pump
assembly and the clutch mechinism. This unit is ser-
viced as an assembly.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transfer case
through the front propeller shaft. The front propeller
shaft is connected to the pinion gear which rotatesthe 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.
STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL
During straight-ahead driving, the differential pinion
gears do not rotate on the pinion mate shaft. This
occurs because input torque applied to the gears is
divided and distributed equally between the two side
gears. As a result, the pinion gears revolve with the pin-
ion mate shaft but do not rotate around it (Fig. 1).
When turning corners, the outside wheel must
travel a greater distance than the inside wheel to
complete a turn. The difference must be compensated
for to prevent the tires from scuffing and skidding
through turns. To accomplish this, the differential
allows the axle shafts to turn at unequal speeds (Fig.
2). In this instance, the input torque applied to the
pinion gears is not divided equally. The pinion gears
now rotate around the pinion mate shaft in opposite
directions. This allows the side gear and axle shaft
attached to the outside wheel to rotate at a faster
speed.
WJFRONT AXLE - 186FBI 3 - 15