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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.0 3, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 889 (Driveline System - General Information -- F250-F550 Super Duty) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Driveline System >> Inspection For Bent Rear Axle Housing

Inspection For Bent Rear Axle Housing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford Pickup, 2005 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2005 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2005 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to JACKING AND LIFTING . Allow the rear axle to be freely suspended.
  2. Use white chalk or paint to mark a vertical line on the center of each rear tire.
    Fig 1: Identifying Paint Mark On Center Of Rear Tire
    G03971067Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Adjust both wheels so that the markings face the front of the vehicle. With a tape measure, measure the distance between the marks and record this reading (front reading).
    Fig 2: Measuring Distance Between Marks
    G03883253Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Rotate the rear wheels so the markings are directly underneath the vehicle. Measure the distance between the marks and record this reading (bottom reading).
    Fig 3: Turning Rear Wheels And Measuring Distance Between Marks
    G03883255Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Rotate the rear wheels so the markings face the rear of the vehicle. Measure and record the distance between the marks (rear reading).
    Fig 4: Measuring Distance Between Marks
    G03883256Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Compare the front and the rear readings (Steps  3 and  5) to find the toe-in or toe-out condition.
    • Toe-in occurs when the front measurement is less than the rear measurement.
    • Toe-out occurs when the rear measurement is less than the front measurement.
  7. To determine camber, find the average of the front and the rear measurements (Steps  3 and  5). Subtract the bottom reading (Step  4) from this number.
  8. Positive (+) camber is when the bottom reading is less than the average of the front and rear readings. Negative (-) camber is when the bottom reading is greater than the average of the front and rear readings.
  9. The results of the calculations in Steps  6 and  7 must conform to the following specifications:

    Toe-in: 0-1/16 inch.

    Toe-out: 0 - 3/16 inch.

    Camber: 0 +/- 5/32 inch.

    If the differential housing does not meet these specifications, install a new differential housing. For additional information, refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 80 , REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA S110 AND S130 or REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR .