Axle Shaft: Service and Repair

Removal
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.





3. Remove the differential housing cover.
1. Loosen the bolts and drain the lubricant from the rear axle housing.
2. Remove the bolts.
3. Remove the differential housing cover.
4. Remove the rear brake disc.





5. CAUTION: Turning the differential case or an axle shaft with the differential pinion shaft removed will cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly and damage the components.

Remove the differential pinion shaft.
1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
2. Remove the differential pinion shaft.





6. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the U-washer groove.

Remove the U-washer.
1. Push the axle shaft inboard.
2. Remove the U-washer.





7. Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.
1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
2. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.





8. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.

Remove the axle shaft.

Installation
1. Lubricate the lip of the wheel bearing oil seal.
- Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.





2. CAUTION: Turning the differential case or an axle shaft with the differential pinion shaft removed will cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly and damage the components.

Remove the differential pinion shaft.
1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
2. Remove the differential pinion shaft.





3. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.

Install the axle shaft.





4. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the U-washer groove.

Install the U-washer.
1. Position the U-washer on the button end of the axle shaft.
2. Pull the axle shaft outward.





5. CAUTION: If a new pinion shaft lock bolt is unavailable, coat the threads with Threadlock and Sealer EOAZ-19554-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G351-A5.

Install the differential pinion shaft.
1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the differential pinion shaft lock bolt hole.
2. Install a new differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
6. Install the rear brake disc.
7. Install the differential housing cover, and fill the rear axle housing with the specified lubricant type and quantity.
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly.