Drive Axle - 7.125", 7.56" (7 9/16"), 8.25" & 8.5": Overhaul: Disassembly

NOTE: If equipped with Trac-Lok, see DIFFERENTIAL - SPICER (DANA) TRAC-LOK article in the DRIVE AXLES Section for overhaul of limited slip unit. Following overhaul procedures apply to drive axle gears. Removing complete drive axle housing is not necessary 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 specification, replace both side gear thrust washers. See SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS table.

SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS

Application

Maximum Clearance In. (mm)

Models 30 & 44

.006 (.15)

Model 35

.007 (.18)

8 1/4" Ring Gear

⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾	Specification is not available from manufacturer.

Fig 1: Checking Side Gear Clearance

Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS.

Remove and discard ring gear bolts (LEFT-HAND thread on Cherokee 8 1/4" rear axle). Remove ring gear. Remove pinion gears and thrust washers. Remove side gears and thrust washers.
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. Discard collapsible spacer.
On all axles, remove pinion seal and rear pinion bearing race. Remove and retain pinion depth shim located under rear bearing race. 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.

Fig 2: Pressing Off Pinion Gear Rear Bearing
Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS.