Drive Pinion Flange: Installation

All Vehicles 

1. Lubricate the pinion flange splines with rear axle lubricant.
NOTE: Disregard the scribe marks if a new pinion flange is being installed.
Fig 1: Aligning Pinion Flange With Drive Pinion Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Align the pinion flange with the drive pinion shaft.
3. With the drive pinion in place in the rear axle housing, install the pinion flange using the special tool.
   Fig 2: Installing Pinion Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Position the new pinion nut.
   Fig 3: Installing Pinion Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: Under no circumstances is the pinion nut to be backed off to reduce preload. If reduced preload is required, a new collapsible spacer and pinion nut must be installed.
CAUTION: Remove the special tool while taking preload readings with the Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench.
5. Using the special tool hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut.
   • Rotate the pinion occasionally to make sure the cone and roller bearings are seating correctly.
   • Install a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench on the pinion nut.
   • Rotating the pinion through several revolutions, take frequent cone and roller bearing torque preload readings until the original recorded preload reading is obtained.
   • If the original recorded preload is lower than specifications, tighten to the appropriate specifications for used bearings. If the preload is higher than specification, tighten the nut to the original reading as recorded. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
     Fig 4: Tightening Pinion Nut

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Position the rear driveshaft and align the marks on the pinion flange.
   Fig 5: Positioning Rear Driveshaft And Aligning Marks On Pinion Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern as shown.
Fig 6: Identifying Tightening Torque Of Driveshaft Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Install the bolts.

   Vehicles with drum brakes 

8. Install the rear brake drums.

   Vehicles with disc brakes 

9. Install the rear brake disc.
   Fig 7: Installing Rear Brake Disc

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Install the rear disc brake caliper. Refer to REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPER & PADS .