When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
Just an update. I've been waiting for the rest of my tools to get here and finally waiting for the new bearing and shim kit. I took the bearings off the pinion there's no shims other than the preload shims which only totalled 0.08 seems a bit low? I know not every pinion is the same but most seem to be in the tenths not the hundredths. Either way I'm sure I'll need more shims to set it right.
Once the new bearings get here I'll make some setup bearings and try and get the pinion dialed in. I ruined the front bearing pressing it off so I'll have to go get some cheapos from the parts store. I could be done already if it wasn't taking ages for this bearing kit to arrive.
Last edited by JonRedcorn; Feb 21, 2021 at 12:16 PM.
The "race" on the left is pressed onto the undercut portion of the shaft on the wheel hub to the right of the image, creating the proper bearing running clearance ("preload") when bottomed out. The press fit alone is not enough to resist the forces applied while driving. The outer stub shaft bottoms out against the far side of the "race" and the nut tightens against the back side of the wheel hub, holding that press fit together with 150 ft-lbs of torque on the nut, similar torque to the wheel bearing outer nut on a 2wd car or a non-unit bearing 4WD. I can't say with 100% certainty whether the early model XJ/TJ D30 unit bearings have this issue or not; they are rebuildable with a nut instead of that "race".
Here's a picture of a newer-model XJ/TJ 2wd, which uses the same unit-bearing as the 4WD with a stub-axle without u-joint ears.
They went a step further on the newer Jeeps, JKs and the sort, and eliminated the fake stub-shaft on 2WDs by making it so the unit-bearing holds itself together without it. The same unit bearing is used on 4WDs, so they get the added benefit of not needing the stub shaft either...
OK but doesn't he have 53007449s which are sealed units?
FWIW if your race installation kit doesn't have a good-fitting adapter, you can make the perfect one by slicing through an old race (so it easily comes back out):
BTW this is also an HFT 20 ton press. Not crazy about the quality of the ram. Also I think it's over-rated, it's more like a 12 ton press (based on observations of it's performance on parts with known values). But it's cheap and it works.
OK but doesn't he have 53007449s which are sealed units?
I by no means claim to know any more about this than what I've read. Just parroting things others have said; never torn one apart myself. Here's an article discussing the issue in general.
Here's an article detailing disassembly of a XJ/TJ Unit Bearing with a gear puller and reassembly with a rubber mallet. I think that right there should say a lot...
I by no means claim to know any more about this than what I've read. Just parroting things others have said; never torn one apart myself. Here's an article discussing the issue in general.
Here's an article detailing disassembly of a XJ/TJ Unit Bearing with a gear puller and reassembly with a rubber mallet. I think that right there should say a lot...
Well at least if Jon decides to take the axle to the shop he won't need to
I'm not sure how to take that statement, whether you're presuming the axle wouldn't be installed in the vehicle or whether you're still questioning that he needs to have the axle shaft installed. If it's the later, please speak up...
Hopefully my parts get here today. Think the spider gears look worse in those pictures then they are. Still haven't decided on a locker yet. Want to get the bearings setup before I do anything. Also should be getting my RC heavy duty tie rod today. The whole front end is basically going to be new parts.
Not only did I waste 16 bucks on 2nd day air shipping this is how my package arrived... Looks like it's gunna be a while till I can actually get parts. I can't understand how companies send their **** out like this? Does nobody in the 4wd community give a **** about their customers? All I read on the reviews for yukon master kits on amazon was the same thing where their package was falling apart with pieces everywhere. What a joke...
The tie rod I got looked like it was used as well with the bolts all scratched up. Really have never received such awful customer service in my life. I've been working on cars for 15 years. Never seen anything like this.
No pinion nut, a ****ty pack of dirty shims, this is mind blowing.
Last edited by JonRedcorn; Feb 24, 2021 at 06:28 PM.
Just to clarify this kits from Rough Country. I just noticed the same stuff being said about the yukon kits as well. Still haven't heard anything back from RC yet. Just gunna buy the missing pieces locally, just want to get this thing back together.
Rough country is sending out a full replacement kit, didn't ask for a return or anything. Pretty solid customer service right there. I've got all my setup bearings made, ran out of daylight yesterday. Going to get the shims setup today and see how it goes.
Just wanted to update, I finished this job, along with about 10 other jobs on the front end. Only thing I still have to definitely replace is the upper control arms and bushings.
