Explorer 2WD V6-245 4.0L SOHC VIN E EFI (1997)
and install a new one.
12. Position the pinion in the axle housing.
13. Align the (A) rear axle companion flange with the (B) drive pinion shaft.
NOTE: Disregard the scribe marks if a new rear axle companion flange is being installed.
14. Position the new pinion nut.
15. Use (B) Companion Flange Holding Tool to hold the (A) rear axle companion flange while tightening the (C) pinion nut.
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Tighten the pinion nut, rotating the pinion occasionally to make sure cone and roller bearings are seating properly. Take frequent cone and
roller bearing torque preload readings until the original recorded preload readings are obtained by rotating the pinion with a Nm (inch lbs.)
torque wrench.
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If the original recorded preload is lower than specification (original bearings 0.8-1.5 Nm [8-14 inch lbs.], new bearings 1.8-3.3 Nm [16-29
inch lbs.]), tighten to specification. If the preload is higher than specification, tighten to original reading as recorded.
