Jeep 1996 Grand Cherokee Service Manual - page 1513
DIFFERENTIAL PRELOAD AND GEAR
BACKLASH SHIM SELECTION
NOTE: It is difficult to salvage the differential side
bearings during the removal procedure. Install
replacement bearings if necessary.
(1) Remove side bearings from differential case.
(2) Install ring gear on differential case and
tighten bolts to specification.
(3) Install dummy side bearings 6929-A on differ-
ential case.
(4) Install differential case in axle housing.
(5) Insert 0.126 in. (3.2 mm) starting point shims
between the dummy bearing and the axle housing on
side of differential (Fig. 73).
(6) Install the marked bearing caps in their correct
positions. Install and snug the bolts.
(7) Thread guide stud C-3288 into rear cover bolt
hole below ring gear (Fig. 74).
(8) Attach dial indicator C-3339 to guide stud.
Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat surface
between the ring gear bolt heads (Fig. 74).
(9) Push and hold differential case to pinion gear
side of axle housing.
(10) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(11) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the axle housing.
(12) Record dial indicator reading.
(13) Add the dial indicator reading to the starting
point shim thickness to determine total shim thick-
ness to achieve zero differential end play.
(14) Add 0.012 in. (0.3 mm) to the zero end play
total. This new total represents the thickness of
shims to compress, or preload the new bearings when
the differential is installed.
(15) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on guide
stud.
(16) Remove differential case, dummy bearings,
and starting point shims from axle housing.
(17) Install pinion gear in axle housing. Install the
yoke and establish the correct pinion rotating torque.
(18) Install differential case and dummy bearings
in axle housing (without shims) and tighten retaining
cap bolts snug.
(19) Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat
surface between the ring gear bolt heads (Fig. 74).
(20) Push and hold differential case toward pinion
gear.
Fig. 72 Axle Adjustment Shim Locations
Fig. 73 Preload Measurement Starting Point Shim
Fig. 74 Differential Side play Measurement
3 - 28
DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINE
ZJ
ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)