Drive Axle - 7.56" (7 9/16"), 8.25", & 8.5": Overhaul: Disassembly
NOTE:
If equipped with Trac-Lok, see DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK
article in DRIVE AXLES for overhaul of limited slip unit. The following overhaul procedures apply to the drive axle gears. It is not necessary to remove complete drive axle housing to overhaul assembly.
- Place drive axle assembly on bench. Using 2 feeler gauges, measure carrier side gear clearance. See Fig 1 . If side gear clearance exceeds .007" (.18 mm) on either side, replace both side gear thrust washers.
- Remove and discard ring gear bolts (LEFT-HAND thread on Cherokee 8 1/4" rear axle). Remove ring gear. On Grand Wagoneer, remove pinion shaft lock pin and remove pinion shaft. Remove pinion gears. Remove side gears and inspect.
- On all axles, remove yoke nut, washer and pinion yoke. Keep pinion nut for pinion depth adjustment during reassembly. Remove pinion gear, pinion bearings and preload shims. On Cherokee, Comanche and Wrangler, discard collapsible spacer.
- On all axles, remove pinion seal and rear pinion bearing cup. Remove and retain pinion depth shim located under rear bearing cup. Remove pinion front bearing race. Press off pinion gear rear bearing from pinion gear using Bearing Press Plate (J-22912-01) and hydraulic press. See Fig 2 . On front axles, remove inner axle housing seals.