2002-05 Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer Steering & Drivetrain Kit 6 Piece Set TRQ - 1ASFK01880

What are Tapered Bearings and Why Use Them?

Tapered bearings are better than roller ball bearings at handling forces exerted on the bearing during cornering (known as axial load) in trucks and large cars. 

Roller ball bearings have spherical ball bearings between two straight rings (called races). Tapered bearings use tapered rollers shaped like flat-topped cones and two races angled from the outside to the inside of the bearing. The greater the angle, the more axial load the bearing can handle.

Your model came from the factory with tapered bearings. This type of bearing handles cornering forces better for trucks and large cars. Roller ball bearings work well for smaller cars, but replacing a tapered bearing with a roller ball bearing will result in increased wear and faster failure.

Our steering and suspension components come pre-greased, sealed for long life, and do not require the extra maintenance typically required by greasable versions.

Application-specific, with no modifications required.

Made from higher quality materials than the competition. Built to have a longer life in any environment or road conditions.

By the same factories that the OEMs use.

Carefully assembled to include all of the parts you need, saving time and money.

Item Condition: New

Attention California Customers:

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Lifetime Warranty

This item is backed by our limited lifetime warranty. In the event this item should fail due to manufacturing defects during intended use, we will replace the part free of charge.

Note: When replacing steering components, it is recommended to have a professional alignment performed on the vehicle afterwards. This will ensure proper tracking and even tire wear.

step : Removing the Wheel (0:43)

• Pry off the center cap with a flat blade screwdriver
• Remove the 30mm hub nut
• Loosen the 19mm lug nuts with the vehicle on the ground
• Raise the vehicle with a floor jack
• Secure the vehicle on jack stands
• Remove the lug nuts
• Pull off the wheel

step : Loosening the Axle (1:31)

• Remove the 18mm control arm nut
• Twist the 18mm on by hand a few threads
• Hammer the wheel knuckle until it slides down
• Hammer the axle out with a pry bar
• Remove the 18mm nut
• Pull the wheel knuckle forward

step : Removing the Stabilizer Link (2:39)

• Insert a 15mm socket and ratchet on the top
• Insert a 16mm socket and ratchet on the bottom
• Remove the bolt and remove the stabilizer link
• If the link is broken, fill the top with rust penetrant
• Insert locking pliers onto the bar
• Remove the lower bolt with a 16mm socket and ratcher
• Remove the plastic tube, remove the rest of the plastic with a hammer and chisel
• Use locking pliers on the upper bushing and remove the lower nut
• Hammer out the stabilizer link

step : Removing the Axle (4:23)

• Turn the wheel knuckle
• Slide the axle back and remove it from the hub

step : Installing the Axle (4:48)

• Insert the axle into the hub
• Preliminarily tighten the hub nut
• Insert the axle into the differential case
• Push the ball joint into the wheel knuckle
• Hand tighten the 18mm nut
• Check to make sure the axle is in place
• Tighten the 18mm nut
• Tighten the 18mm nut to 90 foot-pounds

step : Reinstalling the Stabilizer Link (6:09)

• Slightly jack up the other side of the vehicle
• Insert a washer onto the link
• Insert a bushing onto the link
• Insert the stabilizer link into place
• Insert a bushing onto the link
• Insert a washer onto the link
• Insert the tube onto the link
• Insert a washer onto the link
• Insert a bushing onto the link
• Insert the link through the sway bar
• Insert a bushing onto the link
• Insert a washer onto the link
• Tighten the 15mm nut to the top of the link
• Lower the jack
• Tighten the 16mm nut on the bottom of the link

step : Reattaching the Wheel (7:45)

• Slide the wheel into place
• Start the lug nuts by hand
• Tighten the lug nuts preliminarily
• Lower the vehicle to the ground
• Tighten the hub nut to 180 foot-pounds
• Tighten the lug nuts to between 100 foot-pounds in a crossing or star pattern
• Reattach the center cap