Dorman 797-117 Differential Bearing Kit - Rear

Differential Bearing Kit for Ford 9-Inch Applications

Dorman 797-117 is a premium differential bearing kit for front or rear differential service where bearing precision and long-term durability matter. It is built with high-precision steel bearings and tighter tolerances to reduce backlash under differential torque, making it a practical choice for rebuilds on classic Ford and Mercury rear ends with a 9-inch ring gear.

Compatible With rear differential service on 1970-1986 Ford Bronco, 1975-1986 Ford F-150, 1975-1983 Ford F-100, 1970-1973 Ford Mustang, and other listed Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury 9-inch applications. Part number 797-117 is also a useful reference when sourcing a differential bearing kit for Ford 9-inch ring gear setups.

Key Features

• High-precision tapered bearing design for differential rebuilds
• Steel bearing construction for service durability
• Includes bearing races for a complete bearing service
• Includes seals, shims, pinion nut, and marking compound for setup work
• Designed for 9-inch ring gear applications with 10 ring gear bolts
• Supports pinion setups with 28 spline count and listed shaft dimensions
• Sealed: No

Detailed Description

This Dorman differential bearing kit is built for rebuilding Ford 9-inch rear differentials used in vehicles such as the Ford Bronco, Ford F-150, Ford F-100, and Ford Mustang, along with select Lincoln and Mercury models. The kit centers on tapered steel bearings manufactured to tighter tolerances than common lower-grade replacements, helping maintain proper differential operation under load. With bearing races included and setup components such as shims and marking compound, it streamlines the process of replacing worn differential bearings during a rebuild.

Part number 797-117 is a fitment-based solution for rear differential service on 1970-1986 Ford Bronco, 1975-1986 Ford F-150, 1975-1983 Ford F-100, 1970-1973 Ford Mustang, 1970-1979 Lincoln Continental, 1977-1980 Lincoln Versailles, and select Mercury applications including Cougar, Marquis, Montego, Monarch, Colony Park, Grand Marquis, and Monterey with a 9-inch ring gear.

What It Helps Fix

• Excessive differential bearing wear
• Noise from worn pinion or carrier bearings
• Backlash issues caused by degraded bearing tolerances
• Rough operation during rear differential rebuilds
• Time lost sourcing individual differential service components

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify ring gear diameter, pinion spline count, shaft dimensions, and bearing race dimensions before ordering. This kit is for 9-inch ring gear applications and should be matched to the exact rear axle configuration listed in the fitment data. Differential setup requires careful measurement of preload, backlash, and gear contact pattern; use the included marking compound during assembly and follow factory service procedures.

Quality Assurance

Dorman positions this kit as a premium differential service solution with high-precision bearings and tighter manufacturing tolerances for longer service life than common lower-grade bearings. The included races and setup components support a complete rebuild process for listed Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury applications.