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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.0 3, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 579 (Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8" Ring Gear) >> In-Vehicle Repair >> Differential Case >> Removal and Installation

Removal and Installation

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    CAUTION: Reinstall the differential pinion shaft and the bolt in the differential case after removing the axle shafts.
  1. Remove the axle shafts. For additional information, refer to AXLE SHAFT .
  2. Wipe the lubricant from the internal working parts and inspect the parts for wear and damage.
  3. Rotate the differential assembly to check for roughness indicating bearing or gear damage.
    Fig 1: Checking For Roughness Indicating Bearing Or Gear Damage
    G02760857Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Using a suitable dial indicator and the special tool, measure and record the differential ring gear backlash at four evenly spaced sections of the ring gear.
    Fig 2: Measuring And Record Differential Ring Gear Backlash
    G02760858Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    5. CAUTION: Mark the position of the bearing caps, as the arrows may not be visible. Always install the bearing caps in their identical locations and positions.
    Fig 3: Removing Bearing Caps
    G02760859Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Remove the bearing caps.
    1. Remove the bolts.
    2. Remove the bearing caps.
    6. WARNING: Do not allow the differential assembly to fall.
    CAUTION: Place a wood block between the pry bar and the differential housing to protect the machined surface.
    Fig 4: Removing Differential Assembly From Differential Housing
    G02760860Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Using a pry bar and a wood block, remove the differential assembly from the differential housing.
  7. Remove the bolts.
    Fig 5: Removing Bolts
    G02760861Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    8. CAUTION: Do not damage the differential ring gear bolt hole threads.
    CAUTION: If removing the anti-lock speed sensor ring, discard it, and install a new anti-lock speed sensor ring during installation.
    Fig 6: Driving Off Differential Ring Gear
    G02760862Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Insert a punch in the bolt holes, and drive off the differential ring gear and, if necessary, the anti-lock speed sensor ring.
  9. If the differential ring gear backlash variation between teeth measurement, taken at the beginning of this procedure, did not exceed the specification, proceed to the appropriate procedure as necessary: Drive Pinion , DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR - Conventional  or DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR - TRACTION-LOK® Special Tool(s)  or to Installation in this procedure. If the differential ring gear backlash variation between teeth measurement, taken at the beginning of this procedure, exceeded the specification, the cause may be a warped differential ring gear, differential case or differential bearing damage. Proceed as follows to verify the cause of the excessive variation.
  10. Position the differential assembly, including the differential bearing cups and differential bearing shims, in the differential housing. Install the bearing caps and the bolts.
    Fig 7: Identifying Tightening Torque Of Bearing Caps Bolts
    G02760863Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. Position the special tool.
    1. Rotate the differential case to verify that the differential bearings have seated correctly.
    2. Position the special tool.
    Fig 8: Positioning Special Tool
    G02760864Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Measure and note the differential case runout.
    • If the runout does not exceed the specification, install a new differential ring gear and pinion. For additional information, refer to DRIVE PINION  and to Installation in this procedure.
    • If the runout exceeds the specification, the differential ring gear is true and the concern is due to either differential case or differential bearing damage. Proceed as follows.
    Fig 9: Measuring Differential Case Runout
    G02760865Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Using the special tools, remove the differential bearings.
    Fig 10: Removing Differential Bearings
    G02760866Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Using the special tool, install the new differential bearings.
    Fig 11: Installing Differential Bearings
    G02760867Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Position the differential assembly, including the differential bearing cups and differential bearing shims in the differential housing. Tighten bearing caps to specification.
    Fig 12: Identifying Tightening Torque Of Bearing Caps Bolts
    G02760868Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Position the special tool.
    1. Rotate the differential case to verify that the differential bearings have seated correctly.
    2. Position the special tool.
    Fig 13: Positioning Special Tool
    G02760869Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  17. Measure the differential case runout.
    Fig 14: Measuring Differential Case Runout
    G02760870Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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