Ford Explorer, Maintaince And Repair Manual

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Before removing the driveshaft from the front axle yoke, mark the yoke and driveshaft so that they can
be reassembled in the same relative position, thus eliminating driveshaft imbalance.
Disconnect the driveshaft from the front axle yoke. 3.
Remove the disc brake calipers and support the caliper on the vehicle's frame rail. 4.
Remove the cotter pin and nut retaining the steering linkage to the spindle. Disconnect the linkage
from the spindle. 5.
The axle arm assembly must be supported on the jack throughout spring removal and installation and
must not be permitted to hang by the brake hose. If the length of the brake hose is not sufficient to
provide adequate clearance for the removal and installation of the spring, the caliper must be removed.
Remove the bolt and nut and disconnect the shock absorber from the radius arm bracket. 6.
Remove the stud and bolts that connect the radius arm bracket and radius arm to the axle arm.
Remove the bracket and radius arm. 7.
Remove the pivot bolt securing the right handle axle arm assembly to the crossmember. Remove the
keystone clamps securing the axle shaft boot from the axle shaft slip yoke and axle shaft and slide the
rubber boot over. Disconnect the right driveshaft from the slip yoke assembly. Lower the jack and
remove the right axle arm assembly. 8.
Position another jack under the differential housing. Remove the bolt that connects the left axle arm to
the crossmember. Lower the jacks and remove the left axle arm assembly. 9.
To install:
Position the under the left axle arm assembly. Raise the axle arm until the arm is in position in the left
pivot bracket. Install the nut and bolt and tighten to 120−150 ft. lbs. (163−203Nm). 10.
Do not remove the jack from under the differential housing at this time.
Place new keystone clamps for the axle shaft boot on the axle shaft assembly. Position the right axle
arm on a jack and raise the right axle arm so the right driveshaft slides onto the slip yoke stub shaft
and the axle arm is in position in the right pivot bracket. Install the nut and bolt and tighten to
120−150 ft. lbs. (163−203Nm). 11.
Do not remove the jack from the right axle arm at this time.
Position the radius arm and front bracket on the axle arms. Install a new stud and nut on the top of the
axle and radius arm assembly and tighten to 160−220 ft. lbs. (217−298Nm). Install the bolts in the
front of the bracket and tighten to 27−37 ft. lbs. (37−50Nm). 12.
Install the seat, spacer retainer and coil spring on the stud and nut. Raise the jack to compress the coil
spring. Install the nut and tighten to 1−100 ft. lbs. (95−135Nm). 13.
Connect the shock absorber to the axle arm assembly. Install the nut and tighten to 42−3 ft. lbs.
(57−97Nm). 14.
Connect the tie rod ball joint to the spindle. Install the nut and tighten to 50−75 ft. lbs. (68−101Nm). 15.
Lower the jacks from the axle arms. 16.
Install the disc brake calipers. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Install the lug nuts and tighten to
85−115 ft. lbs. (115−155Nm). 17.
Connect the front output shaft to the front axle yoke. Install the U−bolts and tighten to 8−15 ft. lbs.
(11−20Nm). 18.
Remove the jacks and lower the vehicle. 19.
Reconnect the negative battery cable. 20.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 831