SUSPENSION - FRONT

1988 Jeep Cherokee

1988 FRONT SUSPENSION Jeep Coil & Leaf Spring

Cherokee, Comanche, Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer, Wrangler

DESCRIPTION

Cherokee, Comanche and Wagoneer 2WD and 4WD front

suspensions consist of solid axle (tubular axle on 2WD), 4 control arms, 2 coil springs and track bar. Track bar is used to minimize front axle side-to-side movement. Stabilizer bar and shock absorbers control suspension spring movement.

Grand Wagoneer and Wrangler models use leaf spring front suspension with shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. Wrangler also uses a track bar to maintain lateral position of front and rear axles.

ADJUSTMENTS

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

WHEEL BEARING

NOTE: Bearings should be cleaned, inspected, replaced (if necessary) and lubricated before adjustment.

CAUTION: Never preload tapered roller bearings or damage to roller ends will result. Bearings are designed to have a slightly loose feel when properly adjusted.

2WD Models

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire
    assembly. Remove hub dust cap, cotter pin and nut retainer. Ensure
    bearings are thoroughly packed with lithium grease.

  2. Rotate hub and rotor assembly by hand, and tighten
    retainer nut to
    17-25 ft. lbs. (23-34 N.m) to seat bearings.

  3. Loosen retainer nut 1/2 turn while rotating hub. Then
    retighten nut to 19 INCH lbs. (2 N.m). Install nut retainer and new
    cotter pin. Clean hub dust cap and coat inside with clean grease.
    Reverse removal procedure for remaining components.

4WD Models (Grand Wagoneer)

  1. On models equipped with locking hubs, remove locking
    hubs. See appropriate LOCKING HUBS article. On models without locking
    hubs, remove hub dust cap and drive gear snap ring. See Fig. 1.

  2. Remove drive gear, pressure spring and spring cup. On
    all models, remove outer lock nut and lock washer. Tighten inner lock
    nut to
    50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m) while rotating wheel.

  3. Back off inner lock nut 45-65 degrees while rotating
    wheel. Install washer and outer lock nut. Tighten outer lock nut to
    50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m). Reverse removal procedure to complete
    installation.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

WHEEL BEARINGS

Removal (2WD Models)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
    brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. DO NOT allow caliper to
    hang on brake hose.

  2. Remove hub dust cap, cotter pin, nut retainer, retainer
    nut, washer and outer wheel bearing. See Fig.
    1. Remove hub and rotor
    assembly. Pry grease seal from hub. Remove inner wheel bearing.

Inspection

Clean bearings and hub in solvent and dry with compressed air. Inspect bearings and races for wear.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearing. See WHEEL BEARING under ADJUSTMENTS in this article.

Removal (4WD Grand Wagoneer)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
    brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. DO NOT allow caliper to
    hang on brake hose. Remove rotor from hub.

  2. On models equipped with locking hubs, remove locking
    hubs. See appropriate LOCKING HUBS article. On all other models,
    remove hub dust cover and drive gear snap ring. See Fig. 1.

  3. Remove drive gear, pressure spring and spring cup. On
    all models, remove outer lock nut, lock washer, inner lock nut and
    outer wheel bearing. Remove hub. Pry grease seal from hub. Remove
    inner wheel bearing.

Inspection

Clean bearings and hub in solvent and dry with compressed air. Inspect bearings and races for wear.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearings. See WHEEL BEARINGS under ADJUSTMENTS in this article.

Removal (4WD Models Except Grand Wagoneer)

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
    brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. Remove cotter pin, nut
    retainer and axle shaft nut. Remove hub/carrier assembly from
    steering knuckle. See Fig. 1.

  2. Inspect bearings for roughness. If bearing roughness
    exists, disassemble hub assembly.

Inspection

Clean bearings and hub in solvent and dry with compressed air. Inspect bearings and races for wear.

Installation

Ensure hub, bearing carrier and wheel bearings are packed with clean lithium grease. Reassemble hub assembly using new grease seal. Reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. Install new cotter pin.

30211

Fig. 1: Exploded View Of 2WD Hub/Rotor Assembly & 4WD Hub/Bearing Carrier Assembly Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Removal & Installation

  1. With vehicle at normal riding height, remove nut, washer,
    and rubber grommet from top of shock absorber. Note component
    locations for reassembly reference.

  2. Raise and support vehicle. Remove lower shock mounting
    bolts from axle housing bracket. Remove shock absorber. Inspect units
    for damage or leakage. Replace shock absorbers in pairs only. To
    install, reverse removal procedure.

STEERING KNUCKLE

Removal

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
    brake caliper. Suspend caliper with wire. Remove brake rotor or
    hub/bearing carrier assembly. See WHEEL BEARINGS in this article.

  2. Remove axle shaft from left side of axle housing. To
    remove right axle shaft, disconnect vacuum harness from shift motor.
    Remove shift motor and axle shaft from housing. Remove caliper anchor
    plate from steering knuckle.

  3. On each steering knuckle, remove ball joint stud cotter
    pin and retaining nuts. Using brass hammer, strike steering knuckle
    at ball joint stud bore area to loosen ball joint from steering
    knuckle.

  4. Inspect split ring seat in steering knuckle ball joint
    stud bore for damage. If damaged, use Split Ring Seat
    Remover/Installer to remove split ring seat.



30212

Fig. 2: Determining Steering Knuckle Split Ring Seat Position Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.

Installation

  1. If split ring seat is replaced, ensure seat is adjusted
    to proper depth into steering knuckle ball joint stud bore. Using
    split ring seat remover /installer, install split ring seat to a
    depth of .206" (5.23 mm).

  2. This depth is measured from steering knuckle surface to
    top (notched edge) of split ring seat. See Fig. 2. To install,
    reverse removal procedures.

  3. When installing right axle shaft, ensure shift collar is
    positioned on intermediate shaft and axle shaft is fully engaged over
    intermediate shaft. Install shift motor. Ensure shift fork engages
    with collar. Tighten all bolts to specification.

UPPER & LOWER BALL JOINTS

Removal

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Inspect
    upper and lower ball joints for damage, torn grease seals or
    excessive wear. Replace as necessary.

  2. Remove steering knuckle assembly. See STEERING KNUCKLE in
    this article. Position Ball Joint Receiver (J-34503-1) over top of
    upper ball joint. Place Adapter (J-34503-3) in "C" Clamp (J-34503).
    Install "C" clamp, adapter and receiver. Tighten "C" clamp screw to
    remove ball joint. See Fig. 3.

  3. To remove lower ball joint, position Ball Joint Receiver
    (J-34503-1) onto "C" Clamp (J-34503) and Adapter (J-34503-3) at base
    of clamp. See Fig. 3. Install "C" clamp, adapter and receiver.
    Tighten "C" clamp to remove ball joint. See Fig.
    3.

Installation

1) Place upper ball joint in position. Position Ball Joint
Installer (J-34503-3) over new upper ball joint. Install Receiver
(J-34503-2) and "C" clamp. Position clamp, and receiver against axle

housing bracket, over installer and ball joint. Tighten "C" clamp and fully seat ball joint. See Fig. 3.

2) To install lower ball joint, position Ball Joint
Installer (J-34503-12), "C" clamp and Receiver (J-34503-4) See

Fig. 3. Tighten "C" clamp to install ball joint. Ensure ball joint is fully seated. Reverse removal procedures for remaining components. Tighten bolts to specification.


Fig. 3: Removing & Installing Upper & Lower Ball Joints Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.


UDPER BALL JOINT

COIL SPRING

Removal

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Place
    reference mark on drive shaft and front axle flange. Disconnect drive
    shaft at front axle. Place jack stand under axle housing. Disconnect
    lower control arms at axle housing.

  2. Disconnect stabilizer bar links and lower shock absorber
    mounting bolts at axle housing. Disconnect track bar at the sill
    bracket (if equipped)
    . Disconnect center link at pitman arm.

  3. Lower axle housing to relieve spring pressure. Remove
    spring retainer mounting bolt, then remove retainer and coil spring.
    Note component locations for reassembly reference.

NOTE: Coil springs are rated separately for each side of vehicle depending on optional equipment and type of service. Ensure springs are marked for installation in original positions.

Installation

  1. Install coil spring and spring retainer. Tighten retainer
    mounting bolt. Raise axle housing into position. Connect lower
    control arms to axle housing.

  2. Install lower shock absorber mounting bolts, center
    link-to-pitman arm, track bar-to-frame bracket and stabilizer bar
    links-to-axle housing. To complete installation, reverse removal
    procedure.

LEAF SPRING

Removal & Installation

Raise and support vehicle. Raise axle assembly with jack to relieve spring tension. On Wrangler models, loosen stabilizer bar link nut. On all other models, remove stabilizer bar. Remove spring "U" bolts and plate. Disconnect front and rear shackles from frame. Lower spring assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure.

UPPER CONTROL ARM &

AXLE HOUSING PIVOT BUSHING

Removal

  1. To remove right side upper control arm for 6-cylinder
    models, disconnect right side engine mount. Raise and support engine
    so rear control arm mounting bolt clears exhaust pipe. On all models,
    raise and support vehicle.

  2. Remove upper control arm mounting bolt from axle housing.
    Disconnect control arm mounting bolt at frame rail. Remove upper
    control arm. Repeat procedure for opposite control arm. Inspect
    control arm for damage or distortion and replace as needed.

  3. Check pivot bushings for excessive distortion,

deterioration or wear. If bushing replacement is necessary, install Spacer (J-33581-3) between ears of control arm bracket on axle housing. See Fig. 4.

NOTE: Spacer is not used on axle housings with solid control arm brackets.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove upper control arm pivot bushing without spacer. Tool is designed to support bracket and prevent distortion during bushing removal.

4) Install Upper Control Arm Pivot Bushing Remover/Installer
Set (J-35581, which must include Spacer J-35581-3, Remover/Installer

J-35581-2, Receiver J-35581-1, Bolt J-21474-19 and Nut J-21474-18) onto pivot bushing. See Fig. 4.

5) Rotate nut to press bushing from axle housing and into receiver. See Fig. 4. Once bushing is removed, remove bushing remover/installer set but leave spacer in position for new bushing installation.

Installation

  1. Position bushing on Remover/Installer (J-35581-2) and Nut
    (J-21474-18). Position bushing and installer components in control
    arm bracket. Assemble remaining installer components. See Fig.
    4.

  2. Rotate nut to press bushing into housing until fully
    seated in bore. See Fig.
    4. Remove bushing installer components.
    Reverse removal procedure for remaining components.

Removal Instailatiori

30214

Fig. 4: Removing & Installing Upper Control Arm Bushing Courtesy of Chrysler Motors.

LOWER CONTROL ARM & BUSHING

Removal

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect lower control arm
    mounting bolts at axle housing and frame brackets. Remove lower
    control arm.

  2. Inspect control arm for damage and bushings for excessive
    distortion or wear. Replace control arm and/or bushings as necessary.

Installation

Position lower control arm in front and rear brackets. Install mounting bolts and nuts. Tighten mounting bolts to specification.

TRACK BAR

Removal

1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove cotter pin and mounting

nut at frame rail bracket. Remove retaining bolt at axle housing bracket. Remove track bar. Inspect track bar and bushing for damage or wear. Replace as needed.

2) If a snapping noise was noted at the front of vehicle, inspect track bar bushing inner sleeve for signs of wear. If sleeve has been contacting axle bracket, spread bracket flanges approximately 1/8" to provide space for a Hardened Washer Part No. (G2436163).

Installation

  1. Position track bar in axle housing bracket. Install
    spacer/washer between rear flange of bracket and track bar bushing.
    DO NOT install spacer/washer at the front of bracket.

  2. Loosely install mounting bolt. Ensure mounting bolt
    passes through spacer/washer. Connect track bar at frame rail
    bracket. Tighten ball stud mounting nut-to-frame rail bracket.
    Tighten all bolts to specification. Install new cotter pin.

FRONT STABILIZER BAR & LINKS

Removal

  1. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect stabilizer bar from
    upper portion of stabilizer bar links. Note location of grommets and
    washers for reassembly reference.

  2. Disconnect stabilizer bar from frame rail brackets.
    Remove stabilizer bar. Inspect bar for damage. Check rubber grommets,
    bushings and bracket supports for distortion and/or deterioration.
    Replace worn components as necessary.

  3. If necessary, disconnect lower links at axle housing
    brackets and remove. Inspect links for damage and rubber grommets for
    excessive wear, distortion and/or deterioration. Replace components
    as necessary.

Installation

  1. Lubricate stabilizer bar bushings and grommets with
    rubber grease. Connect links to axle housing brackets. Install
    washers and rubber grommets on links.

  2. Install rubber bushings and brackets onto stabilizer bar
    and connect components to frame rails. Connect stabilizer bar to
    stabilizer links. Tighten mounting bolts to specification.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE

Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Axle Shaft Nut 175 (237)

Brake Caliper Anchor Plate Bolt 70-85 (95-115)

Brake Caliper-to-Anchor

Plate Pin 25-35 (34-48)

Center Link-To-Pitman Arm Nut 25-45 (34-61)

Control Arm To-Axle

Housing Bracket Bolt

Lower 118-148 (160-200)

Upper 48-63 (65-85)

Upper Frame Bolt 59-74 (80-100)

Drive Shaft "U" Joint Strap Bolt 12-17 (16-23)

Lug Nuts 75 (102)

Shock Absorber

Lower Mounting Bolt
W/Coil Springs
12-16 (16-22)

W/Leaf Springs 35-55 (48-75)

Upper Nut

Grand Wagoneer 25-40 (34-54)

All Others 14 (19)

Spring-to-Frame Bracket Bolt 95-115 (129-156)

Spring-to-Shackle Bolt 85-105 (115-142)

Spring "U" Bolt

9/16" x 18 85-105 (115-142)

1/2" x 20 45-65 (61-88)

Stabilizer Bar Mounting Bolt

Grand Wagoneer 27-45 (37-61)

All Others Stabilizer Bar Bracket-to-Frame Rail

W/Coil Springs 48-63 (65-85)

W/Leaf Springs 25-35 (34-48)

Stabilizer Bar Link-to-Axle

Bracket Bolt 59-81 (80-110)

Stabilizer Bar Link-to-Axle

Plate Nut 35-55 (48-75)

Stabilizer Bar-to-Link Bolt 35-55 (48-75)

Stabilizer Bar-to-Link Nut

Grand Wagoneer 48-62 (65-84)

All Others 23-31 (31-42)

Steering Knuckle-to-Hub Bolt 75 (101)

Steering Knuckle-to-Ball Joint Mounting Nut

W/Coil Springs 65-85 (88-115)

W/Leaf Springs 87-113 (118-153)

Steering Knuckle-to-

Tie Rod Nut 25-45 (34-61)

Track Bar Bracket-to-Frame

Rail Bolt 66-81 (90-110)

Track Bar Bracket-to-Axle Nut 66-81 (90-110)

Track Bar-to-Frame Bracket Nut 30-40 (41-54)