Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Description and operation

181 FBI axle

DESCRIPTION

The 181 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 integral type housing, hypoid gear design has the centerline of the pinion set above the centerline of the ring gear.

The axle has a fitting for a vent hose used to relieve internal pressure caused by lubricant vaporization and internal expansion.

The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle shafts, meaning that loads are supported by the hub bearings. The axle shafts are retained by nuts at the hub bearings. The hub bearings are bolted to the steering knuckle at the outboard end of the axle tube yoke. The hub bearings are serviced as an assembly.

For vehicles with ABS brakes, the ABS wheel speed sensors are attached to the knuckle assemblies.

The tone rings for the ABS system are pressed onto the axle shaft. Do not damage ABS tone wheel or the sensor when removing axle shafts.

The stamped steel cover provides a means for inspection and servicing the differential.

The 181 FBI axle has the assembly part number and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is attached to the housing cover by a cover bolt. Build date identification codes are stamped on the cover side of the axle shaft tube.

The differential case is a one-piece design. The differential pinion mate shaft is retained with a roll pin. Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash is adjusted by the use of shims (select thickness).

The shims are located between the differential bearing cones and case. Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the use of shims (select thickness).

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 rotates the 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.

186 FBI axle

DESCRIPTION

The 186 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 integral type housing, hypoid gear design has the centerline of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear.

The axle has a fitting for a vent hose used to relieve internal pressure caused by lubricant vaporization and internal expansion.

The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle shafts, meaning that loads are supported by the hub bearings. The axle shafts are retained by nuts at the hub bearings. The hub bearings are bolted to the steering knuckle at the outboard end of the axle tube yoke. The hub bearings are serviced as an assembly.

For vehicles with ABS brakes, the ABS wheel speed sensors are attached to the knuckle assemblies.

The tone rings for the ABS system are pressed onto the axle shaft. Do not damage ABS tone wheel or the sensor when removing axle shafts.

The stamped steel cover provides a means for inspection and servicing the differential.

The 186 FBI axle has the assembly part number and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is attached to the housing cover by a cover bolt. Build date identification codes are stamped on the cover side of the axle shaft tube.

The differential case is a one-piece design. The differential pinion mate shaft is retained with a roll pin. Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash is adjusted by the use of shims (select thickness).

The shims are located between the differential bearing cones and case. Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the use of a collapsible spacer.

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 rotates the 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.

Lubricant

DESCRIPTION

A multi-purpose, hypoid gear lubricant which conforms to the following specifications should be used.

Mopart Hypoid Gear Lubricant conforms to all of these specifications.

  •  The lubricant should have MIL-L-2105C and API GL 5 quality specifications.
  •  Lubricant is a thermally stable SAE 80W-90 gear lubricant.
  •  Lubricant for axles intended for heavy-duty or trailer tow use is SAE 75W-140 SYNTHETIC gear lubricant.

The 181 FBI axle lubricant capacity is 1.2 L (2.5 pts.). The 186 FBI axle lubricant capacity is 1.18 L (2.5 pts.).

CAUTION: If axle is submerged in water, lubricant must be replaced immediately to avoid possible premature axle failure.

Standard differential

DESCRIPTION

The differential gear system divides the torque between the axle shafts. It allows the axle shafts to rotate at different speeds when turning corners.

Each differential side gear is splined to an axle shaft. The pinion gears are mounted on a pinion mate shaft and are free to rotate on the shaft. The pinion gear is fitted in a bore in the differential case and is positioned at a right angle to the axle shafts.

OPERATION

In operation, power flow occurs as follows:

  •  The pinion gear rotates the ring gear
  •  The ring gear (bolted to the differential case) rotates the case
  •  The differential pinion gears (mounted on the pinion mate shaft in the case) rotate the side gears
  •  The side gears (splined to the axle shafts) rotate the shafts

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 pinion 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.

Differential Operation-Straight Ahead Driving
Fig. 1 Differential Operation-Straight Ahead Driving

1 - IN STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING EACH WHEEL ROTATES AT 100% OF CASE SPEED
2 - PINION GEAR
3 - SIDE GEAR
4 - PINION GEARS ROTATE WITH CASE

Differential Operation-On Turns
Fig. 2 Differential Operation-On Turns

1 - PINION GEARS ROTATE ON PINION SHAFT

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