Aerostar 2WD V6-182 3.0L (1995)
Pinion Bearing: Testing and Inspection
Pinion Retainer
Inspect visually for damage. Ensure pinion bearing cups are seated. Ensure there are no chips or burrs on mounting flange. Clean all lubricant
passages. If pinion bearing cups were removed, examine bores in retainer carefully. Any nicks or burrs in these bores must be removed to permit
proper seating of cups.
Bearing Cups
Check bearing cups for rings, galling or erratic wear patterns. The bearing cups must be solidly seated. Check by attempting to insert 0.0015 inch
feeler gauge between cups and bottoms of bores.
Cone & Roller Assemblies
When operated in the cups, the cone and roller assemblies must turn without any roughness. Examine roller ends for wear.
Companion Flange
Be sure that flat machined surfaces and the bearing cup sockets of the flange have not been damaged in removing driveshaft or in removing flange
from axle. The edge of the flange that contacts the oil slinger or pinion front bearing must be smooth. Roughness aggravates backlash noises and
causes wear on the slinger with a resultant loss in drive pinion bearing preload. The seal surface should be perfectly smooth or leakage will result.