Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Piston ring-fitting

(1) Carefully clean the carbon from all ring grooves. Oil drain openings in the oil ring groove and pin boss must be clear. DO NOT remove metal from the grooves or lands. This will change ring-to-groove clearances and will damage the ring-to-land seating.

(2) Be sure the piston ring grooves are free of nicks and burrs.

(3) Measure the ring side clearance with a feeler gauge fitted snugly between the ring land and ring (Fig. 20) (Fig. 21). Rotate the ring in the groove. It must move freely around circumference of the groove.

Fig. 20 Piston Dimensions

Fig. 21 Ring Side Clearance Measurement

1 - FEELER GAUGE

RING SIDE CLEARANCE CHART

(4) Place ring in the cylinder bore and push down with inverted piston to position near lower end of the ring travel. Measure ring gap with a feeler gauge fitting snugly between ring ends (Fig. 22).

(5) The oil control rings are symmetrical, and can be installed with either side up. It is not necessary to use a tool to install the upper and lower rails. Insert oil rail spacer first, then side rails.

(6) The two compression rings are different and cannot be interchanged. The top compression ring can be identified by the shiny coating on the outer sealing surface and can be installed with either side up. (Fig. 23).

(7) The second compression ring has a slight chamfer on the bottom of the inside edge and a dot on the top for correct installation (Fig. 24).

Fig. 22 Gap Measurement

1 - FEELER GAUGE

RING GAP MEASUREMENT CHART

(8) Using a ring installer, install the second compression ring with the dot facing up (Fig. 24) (Fig.

26).

(9) Using a ring installer, install the top compression ring (either side up).

Ring Gap Orientation

•  Position the gaps on the piston as shown (Fig. 27).
•  Oil spacer - Gap on center line of piston skirt.
•  Oil rails - gap 180 apart on centerline of piston pin bore.
•  No. 2 Compression ring - Gap 180 from top oil rail gap.
•  No. 1 Compression ring - Gap 180 from No. 2 compression ring gap.

Fig. 23 Top Compression ring identification

1 - TOP COMPRESSION RING

Fig. 24 Second Compression Ring Identification

1 - SECOND COMPRESSION RING
2 - CHAMFER
3 - ONE DOT

Fig. 25 Compression Ring Chamfer Location

1 - TOP COMPRESSION RING
2 - SECOND COMPRESSION RING
3 - PISTON
4 - CHAMFER

Fig. 26 Compression Ring Installation

1 - COMPRESSION RING
2 - RING EXPANDER RECOMMENDED

Fig. 27 Ring Gap Orientation

1 - TOP COMPRESSION RING
2 - BOTTOM COMPRESSION RING
3 - TOP OIL CONTROL RAIL
4 - OIL RAIL SPACER
5 - BOTTOM OIL CONTROL RAIL
6 - IMAGINARY LINE PARALLEL TO PISTON PIN
7 - IMAGINARY LINE THROUGH CENTER OF PISTON SKIRT