Front Hub - New Retaining Nut Design

84ford14

Article No. 84-11-5


WHEEL BEARING - HUB NUT - FRONT
- NEW RETAINER ASSEMBLY


FORD 1984 ESCORT, EXP, TEMPO

LINCOLN-MERCURY 1984 LYNX, TOPAZ

FIGURE 3:

A new retainer assembly designed to improve installation and bearing life was installed in production on some of the subject vehicles as of late November, 1983. The new hub retainer assembly is a special laminated spring design with a self-locking and ratcheting mechanism (Figure 3). This feature eliminates the necessity of staking the hub nut into the slotted groove in the constant velocity outer shaft. The new retainer is interchangeable with the current style hub nut on all Escort/Lynx, EXP and Tempo/Topaz vehicles.
Installation and removal procedures remain essentially the same, but some important changes are listed below:

Installation

1. The new retainer assembly requires the use of a 30 mm or 1-3/16" socket for tightening. Failure to use the correct socket will damage the retainer ratchet mechanism.
2. The hub nut torque of 240-270 N-m (180-200 ft.lbs.) is the same for the hub nut and the retainer assembly, but the new style retainer assembly must not be backed off after tightening or damage to the locking mechanism will occur.
3. When the new retainer assembly is fully torqued to specification, the locking tabs on the retainer must be inspected to ensure that one of the tabs is engaged in the slot of the outer drive shaft. If any damage or improper engagement of the nut is observed, replace the nut.

NOTE: During installation, a ratcheting action in the retainer will be felt if it is operating correctly.

CAUTION: THE SAME CAUTION AGAINST THE USE OF IMPACT TOOLS AND HAND STARTING THE HUB NUT APPLIES TO THE NEW RETAINER ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS THE CURRENT HUB NUT.
Removal

Removal procedures remain the same as for current hub nuts. Be sure to use the 30 mm or 1-3/16" socket for removal and whenever the nut is removed it should be discarded and replaced with a new nut.


PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

E43Z-3B477-A Retainer Assembly (Nut) BG


OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"