Center Support: Service and Repair

Driveshaft Center Bearing





Special Tool(s)

Disassembly
1. Remove the driveshaft from the vehicle.





2. CAUTION: Do not, under any circumstance, clamp the driveshaft or the coupling shaft in the jaws of a vise or similar holding fixture. Denting or localizing fracture can result, causing driveshaft failure during vehicle operation.

Place the driveshaft assembly on a suitable workbench. Do not to damage the tubes.
3. Remove the driveshaft slip-yoke from the coupling shaft.
1 Cut and discard the driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamps.
2 Remove the driveshaft slip-yoke from the coupling shaft.





4. Remove the slip-yoke boot from the coupling shaft.
^ Inspect the boot for damage. Discard the hoot as necessary.

5. Inspect the lubricant on the coupling shaft splines and in the driveshaft slip-yoke for contamination. If contaminated, inspect the coupling shaft splines and the driveshaft slip-yoke wear. Install new components as necessary.





6. Remove the driveshaft center bearing retainer, the driveshaft center bearing bracket, and the rubber insulator from the coupling shaft.
1 Remove the driveshaft center bearing retainer.
2 Remove the driveshaft center bearing bracket.
3 Remove the rubber insulator.





7. Using a suitable press, remove the center bearing and bearing retainer from the coupling shaft.





8. Press the dust slinger off the coupling shaft.

Assembly





1. Press the dust slinger on the coupling shaft.





2. NOTE: Install the bearing on the coupling shaft with the turned-in lip toward the dust slinger.

NOTE: Install the driveshaft center bearing bracket with the deep flange facing rearward.

Install the driveshaft center bearing support on the coupling shaft.
1 Install the rubber insulator in the driveshaft center bearing bracket.
5 Using a suitable press, install the driveshaft center bearing support assembly on the coupling shaft.





3. Install the driveshaft center bearing retainer.
4. Position the driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamp on the coupling shaft stub shaft.





5. Slide the small opening end of the slip-yoke boot on the coupling shaft stub shaft, as far as it will travel.





6. Using the special tool, crimp the driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamp.





7. CAUTION: The coupling shaft splines and driveshaft slip-yoke splines are either a square tooth design, as shown, or an involute design. Do not mix the two different design splines on the same two-piece assembly.

Install the driveshaft slip-yoke on the coupling shaft.
1 Pull the slip-yoke boot toward the coupling shaft. Lubricate the coupling shaft splines with approximately 10 grams (0.24 ounce) of lubricant.
^ Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

2 Position the slip-yoke boot clamp.
3 Align the blind splines, and install the driveshaft slip-yoke on the coupling shaft.





8. Set the driveshaft assembled length to specification.
1 Remove any excess grease from the slip-yoke boot and driveshaft slip-yoke surfaces.
2 Position the slip-yoke boot over the slip-yoke boot groove.
3 Set the driveshaft assembled length to specification.
^ Measure from the stub shaft weld to the U-joint centerline.

4 Bleed the air from the slip-yoke boot.





9. Using the special tool, crimp the large driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamp.
10. install the driveshaft.

11. NOTE: If a vibration exists, insert 1.59-mm (1/16-inch) shims, as necessary, between the driveshaft center bearing bracket and support plate (on the bolt ends of the driveshaft center bearing bracket) to reduce compression of the rubber insulator.

Road test the vehicle.