Lincoln Navigator: Full Frame and Body Mounting / Driveshaft Center Bearing Bracket. Removal and Installation

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTE: The following applies to left hand (LH) drive/rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles only.

1. Restore the vehicle to manufacturer's dimensions.
   Refer to: Body and Frame (501-26 Body Repairs - Vehicle Specific Information and Tolerance Checks, Description and Operation).
   

1. Remove the following items:
   1. Remove the rear driveshaft.
      Refer to: Rear Driveshaft (205-01 Driveshaft, Removal and Installation).
      
   2. Remove the fuel tank.
      Refer to: Fuel Tank (310-01 Fuel Tank and Lines - 3.5L EcoBoost (272kW/370PS), Removal and Installation).
      
   3. Remove the muffler.
      Refer to: Muffler (309-00 Exhaust System - 3.5L EcoBoost (272kW/370PS), Removal and Installation).
      

1. Remove the bolts and the heat shield.
   

1. Anchor the vehicle to a frame rack following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

1. NOTE: Be careful not to cut into the frame cross member, it will be reused.

   Grind the welds holding the driveshaft center bearing bracket to the frame and remove the driveshaft center bearing bracket.
   Use the General Equipment: Grinder

1. Clean the areas of the frame where the welds were ground.
   

Installation

1. Refer to: Joining Techniques (501-25 Body Repairs - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Loosely clamp the replacement bracket in a preliminary position. Perform measurements to verify proper placement of the new driveshaft center bearing bracket, then clamp firmly into position.
   
   • With all measurements verified and the new driveshaft center bearing bracket in proper position, tack-weld the new driveshaft center bearing bracket in place to the frame crossmember.
     Use the General Equipment: Locking Pliers
     Use the General Equipment: MIG/MAG Welding Equipment

1. Re-check measurements, then solid weld the driveshaft center bearing bracket to the frame crossmember.
   Use the General Equipment: MIG/MAG Welding Equipment

1. Metal finish the repair area using typical metal finishing techniques.
   

1. Restore corrosion protection.
   Refer to: Corrosion Prevention (501-25 Body Repairs - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Install the bolts and the heat shield.
   Torque:
      1:   177 lb.in (20 Nm)
      2:   177 lb.in (20 Nm)

1. Install the muffler.
   Refer to: Muffler (309-00 Exhaust System - 3.5L EcoBoost (272kW/370PS), Removal and Installation).
   

1. Install the fuel tank.
   Refer to: Fuel Tank (310-01 Fuel Tank and Lines - 3.5L EcoBoost (272kW/370PS), Removal and Installation).
   

1. Install the rear driveshaft.
   Refer to: Rear Driveshaft (205-01 Driveshaft, Removal and Installation).