Removal (Cherokee 8 1/4" Ring Gear)
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove axle shafts. See REAR AXLE SHAFT, BEARING, SEALS & RETAINER . Mark drive shaft for reassembly. Remove drive shaft. Measure and record differential side play, ring gear runout and pinion gear preload.
- Mark differential gear and carrier at point of maximum runout. Side play should not exist. If ring gear runout exceeds .005" (.13 mm), replace differential carrier.
- Remove pinion yoke and seal. Mark side bearing caps and axle housing for reassembly. Remove adjuster locks. Loosen, but DO NOT remove, bearing caps. Insert Hex Adjuster (C-4164) through axle tube, and loosen hex adjuster on each side.
- Remove bearing caps, adjusters and differential carrier. Keep all bearing races, bearings and adjusters together. Using brass drift, hammer pinion shaft out of housing.
- Drive bearing races out of housing. Remove shim(s) from behind rear races, and record thickness. Remove bearing from pinion shaft using Bearing Puller (C-293-PA) and Bearing Remover Adapter (C-293-47).
- Mount differential carrier in soft-jaw vise. Remove and discard ring gear bolts (left-hand thread). Using soft-face hammer, drive ring gear off differential carrier.