Help! Why did this pull out?

jubalr

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So I was installing a 2.5" leveling kit over the front struts, but apparently with the slack on the drive shaft the bearings came out of this housing. I know they are supposed to slide back and forth in there, but what's the best way to get them back in? Any help appreciated!
MVIMG_20200708_161133.jpg
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Lowdawg

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I wish I was there in person to see exactly what you're dealing with...have you tried just pushing it back in so that it feels secure and doest turn freely? Could be that you just need to clean off some of that grease so when you clamp the boot back on it stays on better. Local part store should have what you need to clamp it back on. Worst cast scenario you need to buy a new boot or shaft
 

PeterPotatoes

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The bearings should slide back in when pushed inward and into the cup.

You need to flatten/open up that fold on the clamp to get the boot back on and then squeeze it back to get it to stick, there's a special tool to tighten them.

Or just carefully cut off that band (don't cut the boot) and get a worm gear clap at auto zone that is the same diameter.
 

P. A. Schilke

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So I was installing a 2.5" leveling kit over the front struts, but apparently with the slack on the drive shaft the bearings came out of this housing. I know they are supposed to slide back and forth in there, but what's the best way to get them back in? Any help appreciated!
MVIMG_20200708_161133.jpg
Hi Jubal,

You seem to have not loosened the spindle nut and so you are fighting your suspension droop. Loosen the spindle nut and gently tap it free from the steering knuckle. Hopefully it will go together. Many folks on these forums have similar difficulties and most got things back together, so you should also.

Good Luck...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
 

Mokume

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Hi Jubal,

You seem to have not loosened the spindle nut and so you are fighting your suspension droop. Loosen the spindle nut and gently tap it free from the steering knuckle. Hopefully it will go together. Many folks on these forums have similar difficulties and most got things back together, so you should also.

Good Luck...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
The exact same thing happened to me almost 40 years ago in my early years as a mechanic, I was scared out of my wits, but the shop foreman came to my rescue.
Ever since I ALWAYS remove the axle retaining nut to avoid this.

Phil, do you remember the early Escort/Lynx transaxles in which if you did not insert a dummy CV joint shaft in either end of the differential side gear then removed the other shaft that the side gears would dislodge, this snafu required transaxle disassembly. Not fun, not fun at all....
 


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jubalr

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Thanks everyone for your tips and help! I'm going to see if I can get it all back together this morning. Starting with loosening the spindle nut. The video I watched for the kit never mentioned it.
 

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here is some helpful documentation ... try not to pull the the end that is still in the axle, there is a seal you don't want to disturb ... try and get it back together in place.
 

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P. A. Schilke

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The exact same thing happened to me almost 40 years ago in my early years as a mechanic, I was scared out of my wits, but the shop foreman came to my rescue.
Ever since I ALWAYS remove the axle retaining nut to avoid this.

Phil, do you remember the early Escort/Lynx transaxles in which if you did not insert a dummy CV joint shaft in either end of the differential side gear then removed the other shaft that the side gears would dislodge, this snafu required transaxle disassembly. Not fun, not fun at all....
Hi Jeff,

I do remember..The mechanics in the Experimental Garage on the car side were not at all happy with this transaxle. I personally never got involved but was aware of this design flaw!
 

JAKE2.3

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I did the same thing. Don't panic. You probably won't get it to slide back together. You can try, but you'll have to take it out and put it back together. You can do it in the truck, but it's much easier this way. After everything else is off / out of the way, use a pry bar and gently snap the inside shaft of the case. Put it a bench vise vertically. Start the shaft back in the cup, align all the balls in the cage (8 of them, I think). There's also a snap ring probably inside your boot. Put the back in after the cage. Go to napa or whatever and get 2 new straps. Put them on. Put the shaft back in make sure it snaps / clicks in to the transfer case. Reassemble everything else. Holler if you need more detail.

Wait a minute, scratch that for a second. I went back and looked at the picture. Is it just three bearings? What gives. What year is your truck? Mine had 8 balls and a cage in it. You should be able to just snap yours back in.
 
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jubalr

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I was able to get it back in. With both sides of the sway bar down I was able to lift it enough to slide it back in. I then used a zip tie to hold it up until I got everything else on. It was just a matter of getting it aligned just right so it would slide in. Thanks Again Everyone! Great place to get help here.
 
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jubalr

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I did the same thing. Don't panic. You probably won't get it to slide back together. You can try, but you'll have to take it out and put it back together. You can do it in the truck, but it's much easier this way. After everything else is off / out of the way, use a pry bar and gently snap the inside shaft of the case. Put it a bench vise vertically. Start the shaft back in the cup, align all the balls in the cage (8 of them, I think). There's also a snap ring probably inside your boot. Put the back in after the cage. Go to napa or whatever and get 2 new straps. Put them on. Put the shaft back in make sure it snaps / clicks in to the transfer case. Reassemble everything else. Holler if you need more detail.

Wait a minute, scratch that for a second. I went back and looked at the picture. Is it just three bearings? What gives. What year is your truck? Mine had 8 balls and a cage in it. You should be able to just snap yours back in.
Thanks Jake. My Ranger is a 2019 Sport 4x4 crew. There was just 3 bearings per side.
 

JAKE2.3

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Thanks Jake. My Ranger is a 2019 Sport 4x4 crew. There was just 3 bearings per side.
Hmm super weird. 2019 xl 4x4 crew and I had the ball bearings. Maybe somebody else here knows more? Either way, glad you were able to figure it out.
 

Mokume

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I was able to get it back in. With both sides of the sway bar down I was able to lift it enough to slide it back in. I then used a zip tie to hold it up until I got everything else on. It was just a matter of getting it aligned just right so it would slide in. Thanks Again Everyone! Great place to get help here.
Good job! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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jubalr

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Hmm super weird. 2019 xl 4x4 crew and I had the ball bearings. Maybe somebody else here knows more? Either way, glad you were able to figure it out.
That's interesting Jake. Not sure why there would be a difference. I looked up the replacement front shafts online and they appear to be the same as I have; 3 bearings going into the cup.
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