Center Support Bearing
A "howling" noise from the driveshaft during cold initial driveaway in either the two (2) wheel or four (4) wheel drive mode may be due to the driveshaft center support bearing. The noise becomes less noticeable as the center support bearing warms up during vehicle operation.
1. Remove the rear halfshaft assemblies from the vehicle and park the vehicle in cold weather for about four (4) hours.
WARNING: DO NOT ENGAGE THE "AWD" FEATURE WHILE THE REAR HALFSHAFT ASSEMBLIES ARE REMOVED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE VEHICLE MUST BE AT A COMPLETE STOP TO ENGAGE THE "AWD" FEATURE.
2. Road test vehicle in front wheel drive with "AWD" switch in the "OFF" position.
3. If the "howling" noise still exists, check the wheel bearings and brakes. Service as required.
4. If the noise is gone, proceed to Step 5.
5. With the vehicle at a complete stop, engage the "AWD" feature by depressing the "AWD" switch to the "ON" position. Allow the vehicle to slowly roll forward for about 10 yards to make sure the "AWD" system is engaged.
6. Proceed to road test the vehicle. If the "howling" noise still exists, proceed to Step 7.
FIGURE 4:
NOTE: SUPPORT THE DRIVESHAFT UNDER THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING DURING REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION.
7. Mark the U-joints to make sure they are reinstalled in the original position.
8. Remove the front U-joint retaining bolts and straps, Figure 4.
9. Slide the driveshaft toward the rear of the vehicle.
FIGURE 5:
10. Remove the rear U-joint retaining bolts and straps from the tube yoke flange, Figure 5.
11. Slide the driveshaft toward the front of the vehicle.
CAUTION: DO NOT ALLOW THE SPLINED SHAFTS TO CONTACT EACH OTHER WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE.
FIGURE 6:
12. Remove the center support bearing retaining bolts, Figure 6.
13. Tape the U-joint bearing cups to hold them in place and remove the driveshaft.
14. Mark the front and rear driveshaft position for reassembly.
FIGURE 7:
15. Remove the bearing retaining bolts and straps, Figure 7.
16. Separate the front and rear driveshafts.
FIGURE 8:
17. Mount the driveshaft that has the center support bearing in a soft jaw vise.
18. Remove the driveshaft yoke retaining nut, Figure 8.
FIGURE 9:
FIGURE 10:
19. Using a two-jaw puller, T70P-4221-A, remove the driveshaft yoke, Figure 9.
20. Mount the driveshaft in a press with the yoke nut installed flush with the end of the shaft. Using the "Bearing Remover/Installer", D79L-4621-A, remove the center support bearing, Figure 10.
21. Install the new center support bearing, (E73Z-4800-B).
NOTE: "V" SECTION POINTS TOWARD COUPLING SHAFT
22. Mount the driveshaft in a soft jaw vise.
FIGURE 11:
23. Match up the alignment marks and install the driveshaft yoke and retaining nut, Figure 11. Tighten the yoke retaining nut to a torque of 100-120 ft.lbs. (136-163 N-m).
FIGURE 12:
24. Remove the driveshaft from the vise.
25. Match up the alignment marks and position the driveshaft to the rear yoke.
26. Apply Ford Threadlocker, (EOAZ-19554-AA) to the bearing retaining bolts and install the bearing straps and bolts. Tighten the bolts to a torque of 15-17 ft.lbs. (21 -23 N-m).
27. Make sure the outermost ends of the driveshaft assembly are in-line as shown in Figure 12.
NOTE: IF THE DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY IS NOT IN-LINE, THE CENTER PHASING IS WRONG WHICH WILL PRODUCE A LOW SPEED SHUDDER. RECHECK THE ALIGNMENT MARKS MADE DURING DISASSEMBLY.
FIGURE 7:
28. Install the driveshaft at the rear torque tube flange. Make sure the U-joint is in its original position.
29. Apply Ford Threadlocker, (EOAZ-19554-AA) to the bearing retaining bolts and install the bearing straps and bolts. Tighten the bolts to a torque of 15-17 ft.lbs. (21-23 N-m), Figure 7.
FIGURE 6:
30. Position the front U-joint.
31. Apply Ford Threadlocker, (EOAZ-19554-AA) to the bearing retaining bolts and install the bearing straps and bolts. Tighten the bolts to a torque of 15-17 ft.lbs. (21 -23 N-m).
32. Apply Ford Threadlocker, (EOAZ-19554-AA) to the center support bearing retaining bolts and install the center support bear and bolts. Tighten the bolts to a torque of 23-30 ft.lbs. (31-41 N-m), Figure 6.
PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS
B7AZ-8287-C Hose Clamp AM
E83Z-4234-A Halfshaft Assembly BM
E73Z-4800-B Center Support Bearing B
EOAZ-19554-AA Ford Thread Locker -
Package of 10 B
E73Z-7G360-A Vacuum Motor Shaft C
E73Z-7230-A Shift Fork C
E73Z-7Z251-A Shift Collar C
E73Z-7017-A Clutch Spline Shaft
(Input Shaft) C
CODW-4616-A Cup Assembly AM
CODW-4621-A Cone and Roller Assembly AM
ARTICLES SUPERSEDED: 87-16-11, 88-16-10,
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION: 882407A - Driveline Roughness and Boom
TIME: 1.7 Hrs.
OPERATION: 882407B - "AWD" Disengagement Clunk
TIME: 2.8 Hrs.
OPERATION: 882407C - Torque Tube Bearing Noise
TIME: 1.1 Hrs.
OPERATION: 882407D - Rear Halfshaft Spline Grunt
TIME: 0.9 Hr.
OPERATION: 882407E - Center Support Bearing
TIME: 0.9 Hr.
DLR. CODING: Driveline Roughness/Boom
Basic Part No. 4602
Condition Code: 67
DLR. CODING: "AWD" Disengagement Clunk
Basic Part No. 7003
Condition Code: 56
DLR. CODING: Torque Tube Bearing Noise
Basic Part No. 4K621
Condition Code: 56
DLR. CODING: Rear Halfshaft Spline Grunt
Basic Part No. 4234
Condition Code: 56
DLR. CODING: Center Support Bearing
Basic Part No. 4800
Condition Code: 56
OASIS CODES: 5500, 5700, 5950, 5960, 7100, 7113, 7210, 7212, 7215