That is a loaded question. It is all based on driving conditions, habits, and how bad it already is. If it gets bad enough, you will damage both the ring and pinion. Check to make sure there isn't any side to side or in and out play on the pinion shaft. If there is, I wouldn't drive it. If it's tight, be really easy on it and check it often.
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Here are the directions for replacing the bearing and seal. You will need a bearing puller and a press for removal and replacement of the bearing on the pinion shaft. Note that these directions are for the ring and pinion and they show the differential removed from the vehicle. You do not have to take apart ring gear and it can be done without removing the differential. However, you will need to pull the rear axles. Make sure to replace the crush sleeve as well.
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2005 Jeep Truck Liberty 4WD V6-3.7L VIN K
Ring and Pinion
Vehicle Transmission and Drivetrain Differential Assembly Service and Repair Overhaul Rear Axle - 8 1/4 Ring and Pinion
RING AND PINION
GEAR PINION/RING
REMOVAL
NOTE: The ring and pinion gears are serviced in a matched set. Never replace one gear without replacing the other matched gear.
1. Remove differential from axle housing.
2. Place differential case (1) in a vise with soft metal jaw.
3. Remove bolts holding ring gear (2) to differential case.
Pic 1
4. Drive ring gear from differential case with a dead-blow hammer (3) (Fig. 55).
5. Hold flange yoke (1) with Holder 67l9A and remove flange nut and washer.
Pic 2
6. Remove flange yoke from pinion shaft with Remover C-452 (2) (Fig. 56).
Pic 3
7. Remove pinion from the housing with deadblow hammer (1) (Fig. 57).
8. Remove pinion shaft seal with a seal pick.
9. Remove oil slinger, if equipped, and front pinion bearing.
Pic 4
10. Remove front pinion bearing cup with Remover C-4345 (1) and Handle C-4171 (2) (Fig. 58).
Pic 5
11. Remove rear bearing cup with Remover C-4307 (1) and Handle C-4171 (2) (Fig. 59).
Pic 6
12. Remove collapsible spacer (1) from pinion (3) (Fig. 60).
Pic 7
13. Remove rear pinion bearing with Puller/Press C-293-PA (1) and Adapters C-293-47 (3) (Fig. 61).
14. Remove depth shims from the pinion shaft and record the shims thickness.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: A pinion depth shim/oil baffle is placed between the rear pinion bearing cone and pinion gear. If ring and pinion gears are reused, the original pinion depth shim/oil baffle can be used. Refer to (Pinion Gear Depth) to select the proper shim thickness if ring and pinion gear are replaced.
1. Apply Mopar Door Ease or equivalent lubricant to outside surface of pinion bearing cups.
Pic 8
2. Install rear pinion bearing cup with Installer C-4308 (1) and Handle C-4171 (2) (Fig. 62).
Pic 9
3. Install front pinion bearing cup with Installer D-130 (1) and Handle C-4171 (2) (Fig. 63).
4. Install pinion front bearing and oil slinger, if equipped.
Pic 10
5. Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the lip of pinion seal and install seal (Fig. 64) with Installer C-4076-B (3) and Handle C-4735 (1).
6. Place pinion depth shim on the pinion.
Pic 11
7. Install rear bearing (4) on pinion gear (3) and slinger if equipped, with Installer 6448 (2) and a press (1) (Fig. 65).
Pic 12
8. Install a new collapsible spacer (1) on pinion shaft (3) and install pinion in housing (Fig. 66).
9. Install companion flange with Installer C-3718 and Holder 6719A.
10. Install flange washer and a new nut on the pinion. The convex side of the washer must face outward.
Pic 13
11. Holding flange with Holder 6719A (2) and tighten nut with torque wrench (3) to 285 Nm (210 ft. Lbs.) (Fig. 67).
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pinion rotating torque and never exceed specified preload torque. Failure to heed caution may result in damage.
12. Hold yoke with Holder 6719A and slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 Nm (5 ft. Lbs.) Increments until the desired rotating torque is achieved. Measure rotating torque frequently to avoid over crushing the spacer.
Pic 14
13. Check pinion (1) rotating torque with an inch pound torque wrench (2) (Fig. 68). The pinion gear rotating torque should be:
Original Bearings: 1 to 2 Nm (10 to 20 inch lbs.).
New Bearings: 1 to 5 Nm (10 to 30 inch lbs.).
Pic 15
14. Install ring gear (3) on differential case (4) and start two ring gear bolts (2) (Fig. 69).
15. Invert differential case in the vise.
16. Install new ring gear bolts and alternately tighten to 102 Nm (75 ft. Lbs.).
CAUTION: Never reuse the ring gear bolts. Failure to follow these instructions will result in damage.
17. Install differential in axle housing and verify gear mesh.
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Here are the directions for removing the axles. In addition to these directions, the vehicle must be safely lifted, rear tires removed, and the brake assembly.
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2005 Jeep Truck Liberty 4WD V6-3.7L VIN K
Axle Shaft
Vehicle Transmission and Drivetrain Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints Axle Shaft Assembly Axle Shaft Service and Repair Procedures Rear Axle - 8 1/4 Axle Shaft
AXLE SHAFT
SHAFT-AXLE
REMOVAL
1. With vehicle in neutral, position vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove differential housing cover and drain lubricant.
3. Rotate differential case so pinion mate shaft (1) lock screw
PIC 16
4. Is accessible (Fig. 26). Remove lock screw and pinion mate shaft from differential case.
PIC 17
4. Push axle shaft (Fig. 27) inward and remove axle shaft C-lock (1) from the axle shaft (2).
5. Remove axle shaft from side gear (3) and axle tube.
INSTALLATION
1. Lubricate bearing bore and seal lip with gear lubricant.
2. Install axle shaft through seal, bearing and engage into side gear splines.
3. Install C-lock in axle shaft end, then push axle shaft outward to seat C-lock in side gear.
PIC 18
4. Install pinion mate shaft (1) into differential case and through thrust washers and differential pinions (Fig. 28).
5. Align hole in shaft with hole in the differential case and install lock screw (4) with Loctite on the threads. Tighten lock screw to 11 Nm (8 ft. Lbs.).
6. Install differential cover.
7. Install rear brake components.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions or need help.
Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:25 PM
