Rear Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Lincoln Navigator and 2017 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

1.

Lubricate the lips of the new drive pinion seal with grease.

2.

NOTE: If the drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove it and install a new seal.

Using the Drive Pinion Oil Seal Installer, install the drive pinion seal.

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3.

Lubricate the drive pinion flange splines with rear axle lubricant.

4.

NOTE: Disregard the index marks if installing a new drive pinion flange.

Position the drive pinion flange.

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5.

Using the Drive Pinion Flange Installer, install the drive pinion flange.

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6.

NOTE: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation as the original. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer or damage to the component may occur.

Select the correct drive pinion nut for installation.

7.

Position the new drive pinion nut.

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8.

NOTE: Do not under any circumstance loosen the nut to reduce preload. If it is necessary to reduce preload, install a new drive pinion collapsible spacer. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer or damage to the component may occur.

NOTE: Remove the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture while taking preload readings with the Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench.

Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture to hold the pinion flange, tighten the nut.
- Rotate the pinion occasionally to make sure the pinion bearings seat correctly. Take frequent pinion bearing torque preload readings by rotating the drive pinion gear with a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench.
- If the preload recorded prior to disassembly is lower than the specification for used bearings, tighten the nut to specification. If the preload recorded prior to disassembly is higher than the specification for used bearings, tighten the nut to the original reading as recorded.
- Refer to the torque specification for used pinion bearings in the Specifications .

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9.

NOTE: The driveshaft flange yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern as shown or damage to the component may occur.

NOTE: Align the index marks.

Install the rear driveshaft. Refer to Driveshaft .

10.

Install the rear brake discs. Refer to Rear Disc Brake .

11.

Install the rear wheel and tire. Refer to Wheels and Tires .