Driveline Inspection; Driveshafts-Removal And Installation; Rear Driveshaft; Front Driveshaft (4Wd) - Jeep cherokee 1989 Owner's Manual

1 1 Driveline inspection

1
Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands.
2
Crawl under the vehicle and visually inspect the driveshaft. Look
for any dents or cracks in the tubing. If any are found, the driveshaft
must be replaced.
3 Check for any oil leakage at the front and rear of the driveshaft.
Leakage where the driveshaft enters the transmission or transfer case
indicates a defective rear transmission or transfer case seal. Leakage
where the driveshaft enters the differential indicates a defective pinion
seal. For these repair operations refer to Chapter 7 and Section
respectively.
4 While under the vehicle, have an assistant turn the rear wheel so
the driveshaft will rotate. As it does, make sure the universal joints
are operating properly without binding, noise or looseness.
5 The universal joint can also be checked with the driveshaft motion-
less, by gripping your hands on either side of the joint and attempting
to twist the joint. Any movement at all in the joint is a sign of con-
siderable wear. Lifting up on the shaft will also indicate movement in
the universal joints.
6 Finally, check the driveshaft mounting bolts at the ends to make
sure they are tight.
7 4WD
On models, the above driveshaft checks should be repeated
on the front driveshaft. In addition, check for grease leakage around
the sleeve yoke, indicating failure of the yoke seal.
8
Check for leakage where the driveshafts connect t o the transfer
case and front differential. Leakage indicates worn oil seals.
9 Also check for leakage at the ends of the axle housings (at the
drum brake backing plates), which would indicate a defective axle seal.
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1 2 Driveshafts
removal and installation
Note: Whenever a driveshaft is removed, new U-joint straps must be
used during installation.

Rear driveshaft

Refer to illustration 12.3
Removal
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
2 Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Place the
transmission in Neutral with the parking brake off.
3 Using a scribe, white paint or a hammer and punch, place marks
on the driveshaft and the differential yoke in line with each other (see
illustration). This is to make sure the driveshaft is reinstalled in the
12.3 Before removing the bolts, mark the relationship of the
driveshaft yoke to the differential pinion shaft yoke
prevent the driveshaft from turning when loosening the flange
bolts, insert a screwdriver through the yoke
The Motor Manual Guy
Chapter 8 Clutch and drivetrain
same position to preserve the balance. On vehicles with Selec-Trac
4WD (welded yokes at both ends of the driveshaft), also mark the rela-
tionship of the front driveshaft yoke to the transfer case yoke.
4
Remove the rear universal joint bolts and straps (see illustration
12.3). Turn the driveshaft (or tires) as necessary to bring the bolts into
the most accessible position. Remove the front U-joint bolts and straps
on Selec-Trac models.
5 Tape the bearing caps to the spider to prevent the caps from com-
ing off during removal.
6
Lower the rear of 'the driveshaft and then slide the front out of
the transmission or transfer case.
7 To prevent loss of fluid and protect against contamination while
1 4 ,
the driveshaft is out, wrap a plastic bag over the transmission or transfer
case housing and hold it in place with a rubber band
Command-Trac
Installation
8 Remove the plastic bag from the transmission or transfer case and
wipe the area clean, Inspect the oil seal carefully. Procedures for re-
placement of this seal can be found in Chapter 7.
9 Slide the front of the driveshaft into the transmission
transfer case (Command-Trac models only). On Selec-Trac equipped
vehicles, connect the front of the driveshaft to the transfer case yoke
(making sure the match marks line up) and install the U-joint straps
and bolts. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
1 0 Raise the rear of the driveshaft into position, checking to be sure
the marks are in alignment. If not, turn the rear wheels to match the
pinion flange and the driveshaft.
1 1 Remove the tape securing the bearing caps and install new straps
and bolts. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque.
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Front drivesha f
Refer t o illustration 12. 72
1 2 Using white paint, chalk or a scribe, mark the relationship of the
upper universal joint flange to the transfer case companion flange (see
illustration). Also mark the relationship of the lower U-joint to the front
differential pinion shaft yoke.
1 3 Remove the lower U-joint strap bolts. Unbolt the upper U-joint
flange from the transfer case companion flange (see illustration 12.1 2)
and remove the shaft from the vehicle. Tape the bearing caps t o the
spider t o prevent the caps fom falling off.
1 4 Installation is the reverse of the removal procdure. Be sure to
tighten the fasteners to the specified torque.
12.12
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to
U-joint joint flange to the transfer case companion flange
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4WD vehicles only).
t
On the upper U-joint, mark the relationship of the
when removing the bolts, insert a screwdriver through
the U-joint to prevent the driveshaft from turning
8-9
and
or