Stub Shaft Pilot Bearing and Seal: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Lubricate the new stub shaft pilot bearing.
- Use high performance rear axle lubricant.

CAUTION: Installation of the stub shaft pilot bearing or stub shaft pilot bearing oil seal without the correct tools can result in early stub shaft pilot bearing or stub shaft pilot bearing oil seal failure. If the stub shaft pilot bearing becomes cocked in the bore during installation, remove it and install a new stub shaft pilot bearing.

Fig 1: Placing Stub Shaft Pilot Bearing Onto Special Tools

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Place the stub shaft pilot bearing onto the special tools.
Install the stub shaft pilot bearing into the rear axle housing bore.

Fig 2: Installing Stub Shaft Pilot Bearing Seal Into Rear Axle Housing Bore
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Do not disassemble the new oil seal.

Fig 3: Installing Stub Shaft Pilot Bearing Oil Seal Onto Special Tools

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the stub shaft pilot bearing oil seal onto the special tools.
Carefully align the stub shaft pilot bearing oil seal with the housing bore and install the stub shaft pilot bearing oil seal flush in the differential housing.

Fig 4: Installing Stub Shaft Pilot Bearing Seal Into Rear Axle Housing Bore
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove and discard the half shaft excluder seal.

Fig 5: Removing Half Shaft Excluder Seal
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the halfshaft assembly. For additional information, refer to REAR DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .