Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2003 Ford ZX2 AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Disassembly And Assembly Of Subassemblies: Differential: Assembly
- Clean the components with a suitable solvent and use compressed air to dry all parts. Perform the following before assembly:
- Check for damaged or worn gears and washers.
- Inspect the speedometer drive gear for damage or wear.
- Install the speedometer drive gear.
- Use (A) Driver Handle or a press, along with (B) Bearing Cone Replacer to install a new (C) differential bearing (speedometer drive gear end).
- Use (A) Driver Handle or a press, along with (B) Bearing Cone Replacer to install a new (C) differential bearing (ring gear end).
- Install the differential side gear thrust washers, differential pinion thrust washers, differential pinion gears, and the differential side gears.
- Rotate the gears to align the differential gears with the pinion shaft hole.
- Install the differential pinion shaft.
- Install the differential pinion shaft lock pin. Stake the differential pinion shaft lock pin to prevent it from coming out of the differential case.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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