Spicer Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ 44-4 SERVICE MANUAL - Manual (Page 4)

X5001-CVSP
4
3. After the axle is drained, remove the axle shaft
retainer nuts, using a swivel adapter (Figure 4).
5. Inspect the seal and bearing; then set the
shaft aside.
6. Check the total torque to rotate, using a 50 in.
lb. torque wrench and a 1-1/8" socket (Figure
7). With the nose of the axle pointing up, turn the
end yoke by hand in a clockwise rotation four or
five revolutions. Using the torque wrench, turn the
pinion nut clockwise, and take a reading while
spinning the end yoke. This torque reading will be
used only as reference if bearings and cups can be
reused.
4. Remove the brake drum/rotor unit, and pull
the axle shafts from the assembly (Figure 5).
NOTE: It may be necessary to carefully pry them
loose using a pry bar or slide hammer (Figure 6).
7. Check the backlash, using a .001" dial indica-
tor and a magnetic base, with the plunger set
on the ring gear tooth (Figure 8). The dial
indicator should be facing towards the O.D. of
the ring gear.
8. Move the ring gear back and forth in a smooth
motion. Look at the indicator and take a
reading. Then take three equally spaced
readings.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8