Vanilla HTML Shop Service Manual

2005 Ford Explorer 4WD Front End Parts + Service Guide

Vehicle: VIN 1FMZU72K25ZA71895. Job scope: driver/passenger inner tie rods, driver/passenger outer tie rods, passenger front hub assembly, and both front sway bar end links using Detroit Axle parts.

Vehicle2005 Explorer

Drivetrain4WD

Engine4.0L V6

PriorityAlignment Required

Jump to Parts Jump to Repair Workflow

Clickable Detroit Axle Parts List

Before ordering, use Detroit Axle’s vehicle fitment selector and confirm trim/submodel. The hub and outer tie rod pages list compatibility for 2004–2005 Ford Explorer submodels, but the inner tie rod and sway link links should still be verified at checkout.

Part	Qty	Detroit Axle Part #	Position	Buy / Verify Link	Notes
Outer Tie Rod End	2	ES3667	Front driver + passenger	Open ES3667	Order two singles or a pair kit if available.
Inner Tie Rod End	2	EV433	Front driver + passenger	Open EV433	Verify rack/thread fitment before buying.
Front Wheel Hub + Bearing Assembly	1	515050	Passenger front	Open 515050	Same part is listed as front driver or passenger side.
Front Sway Bar End Link	2	K80041	Front driver + passenger	Open K80041	Replace both sides together.

Detroit Axle’s hub page identifies part #515050 as a “Front Driver or Passenger Side Wheel Hub and Bearing” and lists 2002–2005 Ford Explorer compatibility. Detroit Axle’s ES3667 page identifies the part as a front driver/passenger outer tie rod and lists 2004–2005 Ford Explorer submodels.

Safety + Work Setup

Do not work under a vehicle held only by a jack. Support the frame securely on jack stands, chock the rear wheels, and keep the vehicle on solid level ground.

Loosen front lug nuts slightly while the vehicle is on the ground.

Raise the front end and support both sides evenly on jack stands.

Remove both front wheels. Photograph both sides before disassembly.

Spray tie rod jam nuts, hub bolts, sway link nuts, and axle/hub hardware with penetrating oil.

Recommended Job Workflow

Do the steering parts first, then the hub, then sway links. Final alignment is mandatory after inner/outer tie rod replacement.

Inner + Outer Tie Rod Replacement

Measure exposed outer tie rod thread length or count turns during removal. This only gets the toe close enough to drive to alignment.

Remove the cotter pin and castle nut from the outer tie rod stud.

Separate the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle using a puller or separator.

Loosen the jam nut, then spin the outer tie rod off while counting turns.

Remove rack boot clamps and slide the boot back from the inner tie rod.

Use an inner tie rod tool to remove the inner tie rod from the steering rack.

Install the new inner tie rod, reinstall boot correctly, then thread on the new outer tie rod to the same approximate count.

Seat the outer tie rod stud into the knuckle, install nut, install new cotter pin if castellated, and tighten jam nut after toe is roughly centered.

Passenger Front Hub Assembly Replacement

Remove the passenger front brake caliper and bracket. Hang the caliper; do not let it dangle from the brake hose.

Remove the brake rotor. If stuck, use penetrating oil around the center bore and gentle hammer taps between wheel studs.

Unplug the ABS/wheel speed sensor connector and free the harness from its retaining clips.

Remove the axle nut if the CV axle passes through the hub. Push the axle inward enough to verify it is free in the hub splines.

Remove the hub mounting bolts from the back side of the steering knuckle.

Remove the old hub assembly. Clean the knuckle mounting face thoroughly with a wire brush.

Install the new 515050 hub assembly, route the ABS lead exactly like factory, and reinstall hub bolts.

Reinstall rotor, caliper bracket, caliper, axle nut if removed, and wheel.

Front Sway Bar End Links

Support the lower control arm lightly if needed to remove tension from the sway link.

Remove upper and lower sway link nuts. Cut seized links only if replacement hardware is already on hand.

Install the new links in the same orientation as removed.

Tighten with the suspension near ride height when possible to reduce bushing preload.

Torque Notes

Torque values vary by exact model, fastener design, and replacement part instructions. Use a factory service manual or a verified repair database for final values. Do not guess on axle nut or brake caliper bracket torque.

Fastener	Action	Torque Value
Wheel lug nuts	Final torque on ground	Verify spec
Outer tie rod nut	Torque, then install cotter pin if applicable	Verify spec
Inner tie rod to rack	Torque per part/service manual	Verify spec
Hub mounting bolts	Torque in even sequence	Verify spec
CV axle nut	Replace if one-time-use; torque exactly	Verify spec
Brake caliper bracket bolts	Clean and torque before driving	Verify spec
Sway bar link nuts	Tighten to part/service spec	Verify spec

Final Checklist Before Driving

All cotter pins installed where required Tie rod jam nuts tight ABS harness clipped away from axle/tire Brake caliper bracket bolts torqued Brake pedal pumped firm before moving Wheel lugs torqued No loose tools under vehicle Test drive kept short and slow Professional alignment scheduled immediately

Alignment warning: After replacing inner and outer tie rods, do not treat “counting turns” as an alignment. It is only a temporary baseline to get the vehicle safely to an alignment rack.