How to Remove a Dana 44 Rear Axle Shaft on a 98 Cherokee

The 1998 Jeep Cherokee is available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models. Both models use the Dana 44 rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and conventional shock absorbers. All Jeep Cherokees built after 1990 use internal C-clips to retain the axle shafts inside the differential carrier. The DIY mechanic should be able to remove either or both axle shafts.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the Cherokee on a level, paved surface. Place wheels chocks in front of the front wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels, or the wheel you want to remove the axle from. Raise the rear of the Cherokee with a jack and support it with jack stands placed under the axle tubes. Finish removing the lug nuts and wheel(s).

2

Place a drain pan underneath differential cover. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the bolts from the differential cover. Remove the cover and allow the gear oil to drain into the pan.

3

Rotate the differential carrier until you can see the pinion shaft that runs through the carrier housing. Locate the bolt in the side of the housing that points toward the shaft. This bolt actually engages a notch in the shaft to hold it in place. If you do not see the bolt, rotate the carrier 180 degrees and you should see it. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the bolt.

4

Push the shaft out of the carrier far enough so that it clears the ends of the axles. At this point, do not turn the differential carrier or the pinion gears may be displaced.

5

Move to the outside of the axle you want to remove and push it in. This will expose the C-clip on the end of the axle, inside the differential carrier. Move back to the differential carrier and use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to grab the clip and pull it out of the groove in the axle.

6

Move back to the outside of the axle, grab the axle flange and pull the axle out of the housing.

Installation

7

Slide the axle into the housing far enough so that the groove in the end of the axle is exposed. Use the needle-nosed pliers to install the C-clip in the groove. Move back to the outside of the axle and pull out on it to seat the clip in the pinion gear.

8

Slide the shaft back into the carrier, making sure that the notch in the shaft is aligned with the hole that the bolt fits in. Put a drop of blue Locktite thread-locker on the bolt threads. Install the bolt and use a torque wrench and socket to torque the bolt to 20 foot-pounds.

9

Carefully scrape off any gasket sealer from the differential cover and axle housing with a putty knife. Spray a shop rag with parts cleaner and clean the gasket mating surfaces on the differential cover and axle housing.