Lincoln Navigator: Front Drive Axle/Differential / Axle Assembly. Removal and Installation

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTE: The removal steps may contain installation instructions.

1. Remove the front driveshaft.
   Refer to: Front Driveshaft (205-01 Driveshaft, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the front halfshafts.
   Refer to: Halfshaft (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTE: If equipped.

   Remove the bolts and remove the underbody shield.
   Torque: 71 lb.in (8 Nm)

1. NOTE: If equipped.

   Remove the bolts and remove the underbody shield.
   Torque: 30 lb.ft (40 Nm)

1. NOTE: If equipped.

   
   Remove the engine front undershield.
   
   1. Remove the bolts.
      Torque: 30 lb.ft (40 Nm)
   2. Remove the bolts.
      Torque: 71 lb.in (8 Nm)

1. Using a holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
   

1. 1.   WARNING: Do not reuse steering column shaft bolts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column shaft detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).

      Remove and discard the steering column shaft bolt.
      Torque: 35 lb.ft (48 Nm)
   2. Separate the steering column shaft U-joint from the steering gear.
      

1. Remove the steering gear boot.
   

1. Remove the nuts, bolts and the crossmember.
   Torque: 66 lb.ft (90 Nm)

1. Remove the nut and position the transmission cooler tube bracket aside.
   Torque: 106 lb.in (12 Nm)

1. Remove the nut and position out the transmission cooler tube bracket. Position out the engine wiring harness.
   Torque: 106 lb.in (12 Nm)

1. Remove the pin-type retainer and position the transmission cooler tube aside.
   

1. Remove the bolt and position the transmission cooler tube aside.
   Torque: 159 lb.in (18 Nm)

1. Remove the transmission cooler bracket bolt.
   Torque: 22 lb.ft (30 Nm)

1. Remove the bolts and position transmission cooler down.
   Torque: 22 lb.ft (30 Nm)

1. Remove and discard the axle tube bushing bolt and flagnut.
   Torque: 111 lb.ft (150 Nm)

1. NOTE: The transmission jack is not shown for clarity.

   • With the transmission jack in place to secure the front axle assembly.
     Use the General Equipment: Transmission Jack
   • Remove and discard the front axle housing bushing bolt.
     Torque: 129 lb.ft (175 Nm)

1. Disconnect the front differential breather hose and position aside.
   

1. NOTE: The transmission jack is not shown for clarity.

   
   Remove the front axle assembly.
   
   1. Remove and discard the front axle housing bolt and T-nut.
      Torque: 111 lb.ft (150 Nm)
   2. Lower the front axle assembly.
      

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

1. Check the front differential fluid level.
   Refer to: Differential Fluid Level Check (205-03 Front Drive Axle/Differential, General Procedures).