Removal and Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford RV Cutaway, 2005 Ford Econoline, 2005 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2005 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Remove the axle shafts. For additional information, refer to AXLE SHAFT .
- Wipe the lubricant from the internal working parts and inspect the parts for wear and damage.
- Rotate the differential assembly to check for roughness indicating bearing or gear damage.
- 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.
- Remove the bearing caps.
- Remove the bolts.
- Remove the bearing caps.
- Using a pry bar and a wood block, remove the differential assembly from the differential housing.
- Remove the bolts.
- Insert a punch in the bolt holes, and drive off the differential ring gear and, if necessary, the anti-lock speed sensor ring.
- 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: DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR - Conventional DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR - TRACTION-LOK® . 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.
- Position the differential assembly, including the differential bearing cups and differential bearing shims, in the differential housing. Install the bearing caps and the bolts.
- Position the special tool.
- Rotate the differential case to verify that the differential bearings have seated correctly.
- Position the special tool.
- 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 .
- 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.
- Using the special tools, remove the differential bearings.
- Using the special tool, install the new differential bearings.
- Position the differential assembly, including the differential bearing cups and differential bearing shims in the differential housing. Tighten bearing caps to specification.
- Position the special tool.
- Rotate the differential case to verify that the differential bearings have seated correctly.
- Position the special tool.
- Measure the differential case runout.
- If the runout does not exceed the specification, use the new differential bearings for assembly.
- If the runout exceeds the specification, install a new differential case. For additional information, refer to DIFFERENTIAL CASE and DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR - Conventional or DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND RING GEAR - TRACTION-LOK®
CAUTION:
Reinstall the differential pinion shaft and the bolt in the differential case after removing the axle shafts.
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.
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.
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.