Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Description and operation
DESCRIPTION The AX5 is a five speed manual transmission with
fifth gear being the overdrive range. An adapter housing
is used to attach the transmission to the transfer
case on 4-wheel drive applications. A standard style
extension housing is used for the 2-wheel drive applications.
The shift mechanism is integral to the transmission
assembly and mounted in the shift tower
portion of the adapter/extension housing (Fig. 1). GEAR RATIOS Gear ratios for the AX5 manual transmission are
as follows: TRANSMISSION IDENTIFICATION The AX5 identification code is on the bottom surface
of the transmission case near the fill plug (Fig.
2). The first number is year of manufacture. The second
and third numbers indicate month of manufacture.
The next series of numbers is the transmission
serial number. OPERATION The manual transmission receives power through
the clutch assembly from the engine. The clutch disc
is splined to the transmission input shaft and is
turned at engine speed at all times that the clutch is engaged. The input shaft
is connected to the transmission
countershaft through the mesh of fourth
speed gear on the input shaft and the fourth countershaft
gear. At this point, all the transmission gears
are spinning.
1 - I. D. CODE ON CASE NEAR DRAIN PLUG The driver selects a particular gear by moving the
shift lever to the desired gear position. This movement
moves the internal transmission shift components
to begin the shift sequence. As the shift lever
moves the selected shift rail, the shift fork attached
to that rail begins to move. The fork is positioned in
a groove in the outer circumference of the synchronizer
sleeve. As the shift fork moves the synchronizer
sleeve, the synchronizer begins to speed-up or slow
down the selected gear (depending on whether we are
up-shifting or down-shifting). The synchronizer does
this by having the synchronizer hub splined to the
mainshaft, or the countershaft in some cases, and
moving the blocker ring into contact with the gear's
friction cone. As the blocker ring and friction cone
come together, the gear speed is brought up or down
to the speed of the synchronizer. As the two speeds
match, the splines on the inside of the synchronizer
sleeve become aligned with the teeth on the blocker
ring and the friction cone and eventually will slide
over the teeth, locking the gear to the mainshaft, or
countershaft, through the synchronizer. DESCRIPTION Recommended lubricant for AX5 transmissions is
Mopart 75W-90, API Grade GL-3 gear lubricant, or
equivalent.
Correct lubricant level is from the bottom edge, to
no more than 6 mm (1/4 in.) below the bottom edge of
the fill plug hole.
The fill plug is on the passenger side of the
adapter housing (Fig. 3). The drain plug is on the
bottom of the case. Approximate dry fill lubricant capacity is:
1 - FILL PLUG LOCATIONAX5 manual transmission
Fig. 1 AX5 Manual Transmission
Fig. 2 Transmission IdentificationLubricant
Fig. 3 Fill Plug Location
Diagnosis and testing. Removal and installation
Other materials:
Radiator coolant flow check. Cooling system-testing for leaks. Viscous fan drive
Radiator coolant flow check
The following procedure will determine if coolant is
flowing through the cooling system.
If engine is cold, idle engine until normal operating
temperature is reached. Then feel the upper radiator
hose. If hose is hot, the thermostat is open and water
is circulating ...