Differential Bearing Preload - Jeep Cherokee 1988 Quick Start Manual

using shims selected to remove end play. Tighten bearing cap bolts
evenly to 57 ft. lbs. (77 N.m) for standard drive axle and 85 ft. lbs.
(115 N.m) for heavy duty drive axle. Attach a dial indicator to
housing so button of indicator contacts drive side of a tooth of ring
gear, at a right angle to tooth. See Fig. 6. Rock ring gear and note
movement on dial indicator.
2) Backlash should be .005-.009" (.13-.23 mm) with .008"
(.20 mm) desired. To increase backlash, install thinner shim on ring
gear side of case and a thicker shim on opposite side of case. To
decrease backlash, reverse placement of shims. DO NOT change total
shim thickness, alter positions only.

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD

1) Differential bearings are preloaded by increasing existing
shim thickness by .004" (.10 mm). Install differential bearing shims
in axle housing bearing bore. DO NOT distort shims by hammering them
into housing.
2) Assemble bearing cups on bearings (cups should completely
cover rollers). Position differential so bearings just start to enter
in axle housing bearing bores. Keep assembly square in housing and
push in as far as possible.
3) Using a soft hammer, tap outer edge of bearing cups until
seated in housing. Install bearing caps, aligning marks made at
disassembly. Install and tighten bolts. Preloading differential
bearings may change backlash setting so recheck backlash and correct
as necessary.
Fig. 6: Checking Ring Gear Backlash
4) After all adjustments, check gear tooth pattern. See the
GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERNS article in this section.