Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 7.5-Inch Ring Gear

Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal

Special Tool(s) (Part 1):

Special Tool(s) (Part 2):

Material:

Removal
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.

2. NOTE: The wheels and disc brake calipers must be removed to prevent brake drag during drive pinion bearing preload adjustment.

Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the 4 disc brake caliper bolts and the 2 disc brake calipers.
^ Using mechanic's wire, support the 2 disc brake calipers.





4. Remove the disc brake pads.





5. Remove the 4 disc brake caliper anchor bolts and the 2 disc brake caliper anchors.





6. Remove the 2 brake discs.





7. Index-mark the driveshaft flange and pinion flange for correct alignment during installation.





8. Remove the 4 driveshaft flange bolts.





9. CAUTION: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange pilot. Never hammer on the driveshaft or any of its components to disconnect the driveshaft centering socket yoke from the pinion flange. Pry only in the area shown with a suitable tool to disconnect the driveshaft centering socket yoke from the pinion flange.

Using a suitable tool as shown, disconnect the driveshaft centering socket yoke from the pinion flange.
^ Using mechanic's wire, position the driveshaft aside.





10. Using a Nm (inch lbs). torque wrench on the pinion nut, record the torque required to maintain rotation of the pinion gear through several revolutions.





11. Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, remove and discard the pinion nut.





12. Index-mark the pinion flange in relation to the drive pinion stem to make sure of correct alignment during installation.





13. Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.





14. Force up on the metal flange of the drive pinion seal. Install gripping pliers and strike with a hammer until the drive pinion seal is removed.





Installation
1. Lubricate the new drive pinion seal with grease.

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

Using the special tool, install a new drive pinion seal.





3. Lubricate the pinion flange splines with axle lubricant.

4. NOTE: Disregard the scribe marks if a new pinion flange is being installed.

Align the index marks on the pinion flange with the drive pinion shaft.





5. Using the special tool, install the pinion flange.





6. Position the new pinion nut.





7. CAUTION: Under no circumstances is the pinion nut to be backed off to reduce drive pinion bearing preload. If reduced drive pinion bearing preload is required, a new drive pinion collapsible spacer and pinion nut must be installed.

CAUTION: Remove the special tool while taking drive pinion bearing preload readings with the Nm (inch lbs). torque wrench.

Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut.
^ Rotate the drive pinion occasionally to make sure the drive pinion bearings are seating correctly.
^ Install a Nm (inch lbs). torque wrench on the pinion nut.
^ Rotating the drive pinion through several revolutions, take frequent drive pinion bearing preload readings until the original recorded drive pinion bearing preload reading is obtained.
^ If the original recorded drive pinion bearing preload is lower than specifications, tighten to the appropriate specifications. If the drive pinion bearing preload is higher than specification, tighten the pinion nut to the original reading as recorded.





8. Position the driveshaft to the pinion flange and align the index marks made during removal.





9. CAUTION: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the driveshaft centering socket yoke seats squarely on the pinion flange, tighten the driveshaft flange bolts evenly in a cross pattern.

Install the 4 driveshaft flange bolts.
^ Tighten to 112 Nm (83 ft. lbs).





10. Install the 2 brake discs.





11. Install the 2 disc brake caliper anchors, then install the 4 disc brake caliper anchor bolts.
^ Tighten to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs).





12. Install the disc brake pads.





13. Install the 2 disc brake calipers and the 4 disc brake caliper bolts.
^ Tighten to 33 Nm (24 ft. lbs).





14. Install the wheel and tire assembly.