Removal and Installation

Axle Assembly





Material





1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Remove the rear halfshafts.

3. CAUTION: To make sure assembly is in the exact same location, index-mark the bolt, nut, washer, flex coupling and pinion flange with paint or marker. Using a different color paint or marker, index-mark the second bolt, nut and washer that retain the driveshaft and flex coupling to the pinion flange and the transmission flange. Do not index-mark the third bolt, nut and washer that retain the driveshaft and flex coupling to the pinion flange. These fasteners are balance weights. Always assemble them in their original positions. Failure to do so can cause a driveshaft NVH concern.

Index-mark the components.

4. NOTE: When installing the flex coupling-to-driveshaft bolts and flex coupling-to-driveshaft bolt nuts, coat the flex coupling-to-driveshaft bolts and flex coupling-to-driveshaft bolt nuts threads with Threadlock 262 TA-26 meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G351-A6.

Remove the flex coupling-to-driveshaft bolts and flex coupling-to-driveshaft bolt nuts, then disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle flange.
^ Using mechanics wire, position aside the driveshaft.
^ To install, tighten to 81 Nm (60 ft. lbs.).
5. Position a suitable transmission jack under the axle housing. Securely strap the axle housing to the transmission jack.
6. Remove the front rear axle housing support insulator bolt.
^ To install, tighten to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.).
7. Remove the 2 rear axle housing support insulator rear bolts.
^ To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs.).
8. Lower the axle from the vehicle.
9. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
10. If necessary, fill the axle.
^ Use High Performance Rear Axle Lubricant XY-75W140-QL meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A to 3-5 mm (1/8-3/16 inch) from the bottom of the filler hole.