- Joined
- Oct 5, 2007
- Messages
- 5,376
- Reaction score
- 2,959
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Toledo Ohio
- Vehicle Year
- 20002005199
- Make / Model
- Fords
- Engine Size
- 3.0 2.3
the needle bearing, or bushing, at the end of the passenger side tube for the front of a 98+ is a bit difficult to remove. the bearing is pressed into a machined hole and there is very little room behind it to grab it with a tool. the tube constricts to 1-1/2" which is smaller than the bearing ID so passing a full size tool thru the shaft can't happen.
I took a 2 foot length of 1" mild steel tubing and flared the edge. put the round part of a ball pein in the tube and gave it a couple of whacks to create the flare.
the tool slid thru the axle tube from the diff side, held the tube at an angle so the flared end would catch the bearing. some tapping while moving the tool around and the bearing was removed intact.
I took a 2 foot length of 1" mild steel tubing and flared the edge. put the round part of a ball pein in the tube and gave it a couple of whacks to create the flare.
the tool slid thru the axle tube from the diff side, held the tube at an angle so the flared end would catch the bearing. some tapping while moving the tool around and the bearing was removed intact.