Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear

Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal

















Removal

1. NOTICE: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer kit or damage to the component may occur.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Vehicle Jacking and Lifting. Vehicle Lifting

2. Remove the brake disc. For additional information, refer to Disc Brake System.

3. Remove the rear driveshaft. For additional information, refer to Drive/Propeller Shafts, Bearings and Joints.

4. Install a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench on the pinion nut and record the torque necessary to maintain rotation of the drive pinion gear through several revolutions.





NOTICE: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation or damage to the component may occur.

5. Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture to hold the pinion flange, remove and discard the pinion nut.





6. Index-mark the pinion flange and drive pinion gear to maintain initial balance during installation.





7. Using the 2 Jaw Puller, remove the pinion flange.





8. Use a screwdriver to force up the metal flange of the pinion seal. Install gripping pliers and strike with a hammer to remove the drive pinion seal.





Installation

1. If removed, lubricate the lips of the new drive pinion seal with grease.

2. NOTE: If the drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove the drive pinion seal and install a new drive pinion seal.

If the drive pinion seal was removed, use the Drive Pinion Oil Seal Installer to install a new drive pinion seal.





3. Inspect the pinion flange seal journal for rust, nicks and scratches prior to installing the pinion flange. Polish the seal journal with fine crocus cloth, if necessary.

4. Lubricate the pinion flange splines with grease.

5. NOTE: Disregard the index marks if installing a new pinion flange.

Position the pinion flange.





6. Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture and Drive Pinion Flange Installer, install the pinion flange.





7. NOTICE: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation or damage to the component may occur.

Select the new pinion nut for installation. Install and hand-tighten the pinion nut.

8. NOTICE: Do not, under any circumstance, loosen the pinion nut to reduce drive pinion bearing preload. If it is necessary to reduce drive pinion bearing preload, install a new differential drive pinion collapsible spacer and pinion nut or component damage may occur. Install the new pinion nut that is included in the collapsible spacer kit.

Tighten the new pinion nut to set the drive pinion bearing preload.

- Rotate the drive pinion gear occasionally to make sure the drive pinion bearings seat correctly. Take frequent drive pinion bearing preload readings by rotating the drive pinion gear with a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench.

- Rotational torque must be at least the recorded original torque plus a maximum of 5 lb-in.





9. Install the brake disc. For additional information, refer to Disc Brake System.

10. Install the rear driveshaft. For additional information, refer to Drive/Propeller Shafts, Bearings and Joints.