Removal & Installation (Explorer, Mountaineer & Ranger)
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 2002 Ford Ranger, 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, and 2002 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- With the vehicle in Neutral, raise and support the vehicle. On Explorer and Mountaineer, remove the skid plate, if equipped. See Fig 1 . Index mark the drive shaft flange to the rear axle pinion flange. See Figure . Remove the 4 drive shaft-to-rear axle flange bolts. Index mark the drive shaft and the transfer case flange. See Figure .
- Using a suitable tool, disconnect the drive shaft flange from the rear axle pinion flange. Pry only in the area shown, with a suitable tool, to disconnect the drive shaft flange from the pinion flange. See Figure .
- Make sure the index marks on the transfer case and drive shaft are aligned before separation. Lower the drive shaft and separate it from the transfer case.
- To install, reverse the removal procedure. Align marks between the drive shaft and the transfer case. The drive shaft flange fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the drive shaft flange seats squarely on the pinion flange, tighten the bolts evenly, in a crisscross pattern to specification. See Figure . See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
NOTE:
The drive shaft flange fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. Never hammer on the drive shaft or any of its components to disconnect the drive shaft flange from the pinion flange.
NOTE:
If NEW bolts to retain the drive shaft to the axle are not available, coat the threads of the original bolts with Threadlock and Sealer (E0AZ-19554-AA).