JEEP LIBERTY 2002 KJ / 1.G Repair Manual

SPECIAL TOOLS
CV JOINT/BOOT-OUTER
REMOVAL
(1) Clamp shaft in a vise (with soft jaws) and sup-
port C/V joint.
(2) Remove clamps with a cut-off wheel or grinder
(Fig. 4).
CAUTION: Do not damage C/V housing or half shaft.
(3) Slide the boot down the shaft.
(4) Remove lubricant to expose the C/V joint snap
ring.
(5) Spread snap ring and slide the joint off the
shaft (Fig. 5).
(6) Slide boot off the shaft and discard old boot.(7) Mark alignment marks on the inner race/hub,
bearing cage and housing with dabs of paint (Fig. 6).
(8) Clamp C/V joint in a vertical position in a in
soft jawed vise.
(9) Press down one side of the bearing cage to gain
access to the ball at the opposite.
NOTE: If joint is tight, use a hammer and brass drift
to loosen the bearing hub. Do not contact the bear-
ing cage with the drift.
CLAMP INSTALLER C-4975A
Fig. 4 BOOT CLAMP LOCATIONS
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - CLAMP
3 - HALF SHAFT
4 - CLAMP
5 - C/V BOOT
Fig. 5 OUTER C/V JOINT
1 - SNAP RING
2 - SNAP RING GROVE
3 - SNAP RING PLIERS
Fig. 6 BEARING ACCESS
1 - ALIGNMENT MARKS
2 - BEARING HUB
3 - BEARING CAGE
4 - HOUSING
3 - 12 HALF SHAFTKJ
HALF SHAFT (Continued)

(10) Remove ball from the bearing cage (Fig. 7).
(11) Repeat step above until all six balls are
removed from the bearing cage.
(12) Lift cage and inner race upward and out from
the housing (Fig. 8).(13) Turn inner race 90É in the cage and rotate the
inner race/hub out of the cage (Fig. 9).
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If C/V joint is worn, replace entire C/V joint
and boot.
(1) Apply a light coat of grease to the C/V joint
components before assembling them.
(2) Align the inner race, cage and housing accord-
ing to the alignment reference marks.
(3) Insert the inner race into the cage (Fig. 10) and
rotate race into the cage.
Fig. 7 BEARING
1 - HOUSING
2 - INNER RACE/HUB
3 - BEARING CAGE
4 - BALL
Fig. 8 CAGE AND INNER RACE/HUB
1 - HOUSING
2 - INNER RACE
3 - CAGE WINDOW
Fig. 9 INNER RACE/HUB
Fig. 10 INNER RACE/HUB
1 - INNER RACE/HUB
2 - BEARING CAGE
KJHALF SHAFT 3 - 13
CV JOINT/BOOT-OUTER (Continued)

(4) Rotate the inner race/hub in the cage (Fig. 11).
(5) Insert cage into the housing (Fig. 12). Rotate
the cage 90É into the housing (Fig. 13).
(6) Apply the lubricant included with the replace-
ment boot to the ball races. Spread the lubricant
equally between all the races.
(7) Tilt inner race/hub and cage and install the
balls (Fig. 14).
Fig. 11 CAGE AND INNER RACE/HUB
1 - CAGE WINDOWS
2 - SNAP RING
Fig. 12 BEARING CAGE AND HOUSING
1 - OUTER RACE
2 - BEARING CAGE WINDOW
3 - CV JOINT HOUSING
Fig. 13 CAGE AND INNER RACE/HUB
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - BEARING HUB LARGE COUNTERBORE OUTWARD
3 - BOOT RETAINING SHOULDER
4 - BEARING HUB SMALL COUNTERBORE INWARD
5 - SLINGER
Fig. 14 BALL BEARING
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - INNER RACE/HUB
3 - BEARING CAGE
4 - BEARING
3 - 14 HALF SHAFTKJ
CV JOINT/BOOT-OUTER (Continued)

(8) Place new clamps onto new boot and slide boot
onto the shaft to it's original position.
(9) Apply the rest of lubricant to the C/V joint and
boot.
(10) Install the joint onto the shaft. Push the joint
onto the shaft until the snap ring seats in the groove
(Fig. 15). Pull on the joint to verify the span ring has
engaged.
(11) Position the boot on the joint in it's original
position. Ensure that the boot is not twisted and
remove any excess air.
(12) Secure both boot clamps (Fig. 16) with Clamp
Installer C-4975A. Place tool on clamp bridge and
tighten tool until the jaws of the toll are closed.
CV JOINT/BOOT-INNER
REMOVAL
(1) Clamp shaft in a vise (with soft jaws) and sup-
port C/V joint.
(2) Remove clamps with a cut-off wheel or grinder.
CAUTION: Do not damage C/V housing or half
shaft.
(3) Slide the boot down the shaft (Fig. 17).
Fig. 15 OUTER C/V JOINT
1 - SNAP RING
2 - SHAFT TAPER
3 - SNAP RING GROVE
4 - BEARING HUB
Fig. 16 BOOT CLAMP LOCATIONS
1 - C/V HOUSING
2 - CLAMP
3 - HALF SHAFT
4 - CLAMP
5 - C/V BOOT
Fig. 17 INNER C/V BOOT
1 - HOUSING
2 - BOOT
3 - HOUSING SNAP RING
KJHALF SHAFT 3 - 15
CV JOINT/BOOT-OUTER (Continued)

(4) Remove lubricant to expose the C/V housing
snap ring and remove snap ring (Fig. 18).
(5) Remove bearings from the cage (Fig. 19).
(6) Rotate cage 30É and slide cage off the inner
race and down the shaft.
(7) Remove spread inner race snap ring (Fig. 20)
and remove race from the shaft.
(8) Remove boot from the shaft and discard.(9) Clean and inspect all components for wear or
damage (Fig. 21).
Fig. 18 HOUSING SNAP RING
1 - HOUSING
2 - SNAP RING
3 - CAGE/INNER RACE
Fig. 19 C/V BEARINGS
1 - CAGE
2 - INNER RACE
3 - SHAFT
4 - BEARING
Fig. 20 INNER RACE
1 - INNER RACE
2 - PLIERS
3 - SHAFT
4 - SNAP RING ACCESS
Fig. 21 INNER C/V JOINT
1 - HOUSING
2 - CAGE
3 - BEARINGS
4 - HOUSING SNAP RING
5 - INNER RACE SNAP RING
6 - INNER RACE
3 - 16 HALF SHAFTKJ
CV JOINT/BOOT-INNER (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Apply a coat of grease supplied with the joint/
boot to the C/V joint components before assembling
them.
(2) Place new clamps on the new boot and slide
boot down the shaft.
(3) Slide cage onto the shaft (Fig. 22) with the
small diameter end towards the boot.
(4) Install the inner race onto the shaft (Fig. 23).
Pull on the race to verify snap ring has engaged.
(5) Align cage with the inner race and slide over
the race.
(6) Turn the cage 30É to align the cage windows
with the race (Fig. 24).
(7) Apply grease to the inner race and bearings
and install the bearings.
Fig. 22 BEARING CAGE
1 - SHAFT
2 - CAGE
3 - SMALL DIAMETER
4 - SNAP RING GROOVE
Fig. 23 INNER RACE
1 - INNER RACE
2 - CAGE
3 - SHAFT
Fig. 24 CAGE/INNER RACE
1 - CAGE
2 - INNER RACE
3 - SHAFT
4 - CAGE WINDOW
KJHALF SHAFT 3 - 17
CV JOINT/BOOT-INNER (Continued)

(8) Apply grease to the housing bore (Fig. 25) then
install the bearing assmbly into the housing.(9) Install the housing snap ring and verify it is
seated in the groove.
(10) Fill the housing and boot with the remaining
grease.
(11) Slide the boot onto the C/V housing into it's
original position. Ensure boot is not twisted and
remove any excess air.
(12) Secure both boot clamps with Clamp Installer
C-4975A. Place tool on clamp bridge and tighten tool
until the jaws of the tool are closed.
Fig. 25 C/V COMPONENTS
1 - HOUSING
2 - BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - HOUSING SNAP RING
4 - HOUSING BORE
3 - 18 HALF SHAFTKJ
CV JOINT/BOOT-INNER (Continued)

FRONT AXLE - 186FIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT AXLE - 186FIA
DESCRIPTION.........................19
OPERATION...........................19
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AXLE..........20
REMOVAL.............................24
INSTALLATION.........................24
ADJUSTMENTS........................25
SPECIFICATIONS - FRONT AXLE...........33
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT AXLE........................34
AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................37
AXLE SHAFT SEALS
REMOVAL.............................37
INSTALLATION.........................38
AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL.............................38INSTALLATION.........................38
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL.............................38
INSTALLATION.........................39
DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL.............................40
DISASSEMBLY.........................41
ASSEMBLY............................41
INSTALLATION.........................42
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS
REMOVAL.............................43
INSTALLATION.........................44
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR
REMOVAL.............................44
INSTALLATION.........................46
FRONT AXLE - 186FIA
DESCRIPTION
The 186FIA (Model 30) axle consists of an alumu-
num center section with an axle tube extending from
one side. The tube is pressed into the differential
housing. The integral type housing, hypoid gear
design has the centerline of the pinion set below the
centerline of the ring gear.
The differential case is a one-piece design. The differ-
ential pinion mate shaft is retained with a roll-pin. Dif-
ferential bearing preload and ring gear backlash is
adjusted by the use of shims (select thickness). The
shims are located between the differential bearing cups
and the axle housing. Pinion bearing preload is set and
maintained by the use of a collapsible spacer.
The power is transferred from the axle through two
constant velocity (C/V) drive shafts to the wheel hubs.
The differential cover provides a means for inspec-
tion and service without removing the axle from the
vehicle. The cover has a vent tube used to relieve
internal pressure caused by vaporization and inter-
nal expansion.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the transfer case through
the front propeller shaft. The front propeller shaft is con-
nected to the pinion gear which rotates the differential
through the gear mesh with the ring gear bolted to thedifferential 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.
During straight-ahead driving, the differential pin-
ion 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
pinion mate shaft but do not rotate around it (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 DIFFERENTIAL-STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING
1 - STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING
2 - PINION GEAR
3 - SIDE GEAR
4 - PINION GEARS ROTATE WITH CASE
KJFRONT AXLE - 186FIA 3 - 19

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.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AXLE
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubri-
cant, incorrect backlash, tooth contact, worn/damaged
gears or the carrier housing not having the proper
offset and squareness.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The noise can also occur during a specific type
of driving condition. These conditions are accelera-
tion, deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, first warm-up the axle fluid by
driving the vehicle at least 5 miles and then acceler-
ate the vehicle to the speed range where the noise is
the greatest. Shift out-of-gear and coast through the
peak-noise range. If the noise stops or changes
greatly:
²Check for insufficient lubricant.
²Incorrect ring gear backlash.
²Gear damage.
Differential side gears and pinions can be checked
by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause
noise during straight-ahead driving when the gears
are unloaded. The side gears are loaded during vehi-cle turns. A worn pinion mate shaft can also cause a
snapping or a knocking noise.
BEARING NOISE
The axle shaft, differential and pinion bearings can
all produce noise when worn or damaged. Bearing
noise can be either a whining, or a growling sound.
Pinion bearings have a constant-pitch noise. This
noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion bearing
noise will be higher pitched because it rotates at a
faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differen-
tial. If bearing noise occurs, the rear pinion bearing
is the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is
heard during a coast, the front pinion bearing is the
source.
Worn or damaged differential bearings usually pro-
duce a low pitch noise. Differential bearing noise is
similar to pinion bearing noise. The pitch of differen-
tial bearing noise is also constant and varies only
with vehicle speed.
Axle shaft bearings produce noise and vibration
when worn or damaged. The noise generally changes
when the bearings are loaded. Road test the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle sharply to the left and to the right.
This will load the bearings and change the noise
level. Where axle bearing damage is slight, the noise
is usually not noticeable at speeds above 30 mph.
LOW SPEED KNOCK
Low speed knock is generally caused by a worn
U-joint or by worn side-gear thrust washers. A worn
pinion shaft bore will also cause low speed knock.
VIBRATION
Vibration at the rear of the vehicle is usually
caused by:
²Damaged drive shaft.
²Missing drive shaft balance weight(s).
²Worn or out of balance wheels.
²Loose wheel lug nuts.
²Worn U-joint(s).
²Loose/broken springs.
²Damaged axle shaft bearing(s).
²Loose pinion gear nut.
²Excessive pinion yoke run out.
²Bent axle shaft(s).
Check for loose or damaged front end components
or engine/transmission mounts. These components
can contribute to what appears to be a rear end
vibration. Do not overlook engine accessories, brack-
ets and drive belts.
All driveline components should be examined
before starting any repair.
Fig. 2 DIFFERENTIAL-ON TURNS
1 - PINION GEARS ROTATE ON PINION SHAFT
3 - 20 FRONT AXLE - 186FIAKJ
FRONT AXLE - 186FIA (Continued)

DRIVELINE SNAP
A snap or clunk noise when the vehicle is shifted
into gear (or the clutch engaged) can be caused by:
²High engine idle speed.
²Transmission shift operation.
²Loose engine/transmission/transfer case mounts.
²Worn U-joints.
²Loose spring mounts.
²Loose pinion gear nut and yoke.²Excessive ring gear backlash.
²Excessive side gear to case clearance.
The source of a snap or a clunk noise can be deter-
mined with the assistance of a helper. Raise the vehi-
cle on a hoist with the wheels free to rotate. Instruct
the helper to shift the transmission into gear. Listen
for the noise, a mechanics stethoscope is helpful in
isolating the source of a noise.
DIAGNOSTIC CHART
Condition Possible Causes Correction
Wheel Noise 1. Wheel loose. 1. Tighten loose nuts.
2. Faulty, brinelled wheel bearing. 2. Replace bearing.
Axle Shaft Noise 1. Misaligned axle tube. 1. Inspect axle tube alignment.
Correct as necessary.
2. Bent or sprung axle shaft. 2. Inspect and correct as necessary.
3. End-play in pinion bearings. 3. Refer to pinion pre-load
information and correct as
necessary.
4. Excessive gear backlash
between the ring gear and pinion.4. Check adjustment of the ring
gear and pinion backlash. Correct
as necessary.
5. Improper adjustment of pinion
gear bearings.5. Adjust the pinion bearings
pre-load.
6. Loose pinion yoke nut. 6. Tighten the pinion yoke nut.
7. Scuffed gear tooth contact
surfaces.7. Inspect and replace as
necessary.
Axle Shaft Broke 1. Misaligned axle tube. 1. Replace the broken shaft after
correcting tube mis-alignment.
2 Vehicle overloaded. 2. Replace broken shaft and avoid
excessive weight on vehicle.
3. Erratic clutch operation. 3. Replace broken shaft and avoid
or correct erratic clutch operation.
4. Grabbing clutch. 4. Replace broken shaft and inspect
and repair clutch as necessary.
KJFRONT AXLE - 186FIA 3 - 21
FRONT AXLE - 186FIA (Continued)