Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Drive axle assembly. Tube axle assembly. Axle shaft-cardan U-joint

Drive axle assembly

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2.  Position a suitable lifting device under the axle.
3.  Secure axle to device.
4.  Remove the wheels and tires.
5.  Remove the brake rotors and calipers from the axle. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.
6.  Disconnect the wheel sensor wiring harness from the vehicle wiring harness, if necessary.
7.  Disconnect the vent hose from the axle shaft tube.
8.  Mark the propeller shaft and yoke for installation alignment reference.
9.  Remove propeller shaft.
10.  Disconnect stabilizer bar links at the axle.
11.  Disconnect shock absorbers from axle brackets.
12.  Disconnect track bar.
13.  Disconnect the tie rod and drag link from the steering knuckle. Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for proper procedures.
14.  Disconnect the steering damper from the axle bracket.
15.  Disconnect the upper and lower suspension arms from the axle brackets.
16.  Lower the lifting device enough to remove the axle. The coil springs will drop with the axle.
17.  Remove the coil springs from the axle.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be supported by the springs before suspension arms and track bar fasteners can be tightened. If the springs are not at their normal ride position, ride height and handling could be affected.

1.  Install the springs and retainer clips. Tighten the retainer bolts to 21 N·m (16 ft. lbs.) torque.
2.  Support the axle on a suitable lifting device and position axle under the vehicle.
3.  Raise the axle and align it with the spring pads.
4.  Position the upper and lower suspension arms in the axle brackets. Loosely install bolts and nuts to hold suspension arms to the axle brackets.
5.  Connect the vent hose to the axle shaft tube.
6.  Connect the track bar to the axle bracket. Loosely install the bolt to hold the track bar to the axle bracket.
7.  Install the shock absorbers and tighten the bolts to 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.) torque.
8. Install the stabilizer bar links to the axle brackets. Tighten the nut to 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.) torque.
9.  Install the drag link and tie rod to the steering knuckles. Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for proper procedures.
10.  Install the steering damper to the axle bracket and tighten the nut to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.) torque.
11.  Install the brake rotors and calipers. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for the proper procedures.
12.  Connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness to the vehicle wiring harness, if necessary.
13. Align the previously made marks on the propeller shaft and the yoke.
14.  Install the straps and bolts to hold the propeller shaft to the yoke.
15.  Check and fill axle lubricant. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications in this group for the quantity necessary.
16.  Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
17.  Remove the lifting device from the axle and lower the vehicle.
18.  Tighten the upper suspension arm nuts to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten the lower suspension arm nuts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.) torque.
19.  Tighten the track bar bolt at the axle bracket to 100 N·m (74 ft. lbs.) torque.
20.  Check the front wheel alignment.

Tube axle assembly

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Position a suitable lifting device under the axle.
3.  Secure axle to device.
4.  Remove the wheels and tires.
5.  Remove the brake rotors and calipers from the axle. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.
6.  Disconnect the wheel sensor wiring harness from the vehicle wiring harness, if necessary.
7.  Disconnect stabilizer bar links at the axle.
8.  Disconnect shock absorbers from axle brackets.
9.  Disconnect track bar.
10.  Disconnect the tie rod and drag link from the steering knuckle. Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for proper procedures.
11.  Disconnect the steering damper from the axle bracket.
12.  Disconnect the upper and lower suspension arms from the axle brackets.
13.  Lower the lifting device enough to remove the axle. The coil springs will drop with the axle.
14. ) Remove the coil springs from the axle.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be supported by the springs before suspension arms and track bar fasteners can be tightened. If the springs are not at their normal ride position, ride height and handling could be affected.

1.  Install the springs and retainer clips. Tighten the retainer bolts to 21 N·m (16 ft. lbs.) torque.
2. Support the axle on a suitable lifting device and position axle under the vehicle.
3.  Raise the axle and align it with the spring pads.
4.  Position the upper and lower suspension arms in the axle brackets. Loosely install bolts and nuts to hold suspension arms to the axle brackets.
5.  Connect the track bar to the axle bracket. Loosely install the bolt to hold the track bar to the axle bracket.
6.  Install the shock absorbers and tighten the bolts to 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.) torque.
7. Install the stabilizer bar links to the axle brackets. Tighten the nut to 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.) torque.
8.  Install the drag link and tie rod to the steering knuckles. Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for proper procedures.
9.  Install the steering damper to the axle bracket and tighten the nut to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.) torque.
10.  Install the brake rotors and calipers. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for the proper procedures
11.  Connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness to the vehicle wiring harness, if necessary.
12.  Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
13.  Remove the lifting device from the axle and lower the vehicle.
14.  Tighten the upper suspension arm nuts to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Tighten the lower suspension arm nuts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.) torque.
15.  Tighten the track bar bolt at the axle bracket to 100 N·m (74 ft. lbs.) torque.
16.  Check the front wheel alignment.

Axle shaft-cardan U-joint

Single cardan U-joint components are not serviceable.

If defective, they must be replaced as a unit. If the bearings, seals, spider, or bearing caps are damaged or worn, replace the complete U-joint.

REMOVAL

CAUTION: Clamp only the narrow forged portion of the yoke in the vise. Also, to avoid distorting the yoke, do not over tighten the vise jaws.

1.  Remove axle shaft.
2.  Remove the bearing cap retaining snap rings (Fig. 4). It can be helpful to saturate the bearing caps with penetrating oil prior to removal.
3.  Locate a socket where the inside diameter is larger in diameter than the bearing cap. Place the socket (receiver) against the yoke and around the perimeter of the bearing cap to be removed.
4.  Locate a socket where the outside diameter is smaller in diameter than the bearing cap. Place the socket (driver) against the opposite bearing cap.
5.  Position the yoke with the sockets in a vise (Fig. 5).

Fig. 4 Axle Shaft Outer U-Joint

1 - SHAFT YOKE
2 - BEARING CAP
3 - SNAP RINGS
4 - BEARING CAP
5 - SPINDLE YOKE
6 - BEARING
7 - BEARING CAP
8 - SNAP RINGS
9 - BEARING CAP

Fig. 5 Yoke Bearing Cap Removal

1 - LARGE-DIAMETER SOCKET WRENCH
2 - VISE
3 - SMALL-DIAMETER SOCKET WRENCH

6. Compress the vise jaws to force the bearing cap into the larger socket (receiver).
7.  Release the vise jaws. Remove the sockets and bearing cap that was partially forced out of the yoke.
8.  Repeat the above procedure for the remaining bearing cap.
9.  Remove the remaining bearing cap, bearings, seals and spider from the propeller shaft yoke.

INSTALLATION

1.  Pack the bearing caps 1/3 full of wheel bearing lubricant. Apply extreme pressure (EP), lithium-base lubricant to aid in installation.
2.  Position the spider in the yoke. Insert the seals and bearings. Tap the bearing caps into the yoke bores far enough to hold the spider in position.
3.  Place the socket (driver) against one bearing cap. Position the yoke with the socket wrench in a vise.
4.  Compress the vise to force the bearing caps into the yoke. Force the caps enough to install the retaining clips.
5.  Install the bearing cap retaining clips.
6.  Install axle shaft.