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Differential Ring and Pinion - Front Axle: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
    CAUTION: Always install new drive pinion bearings when installing new drive pinion bearing cups.
    Fig 1: Installing Drive Pinion Bearing Cups Using Special Tools
    G03190272Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  1. Install new drive pinion bearing cups.
    • Using the special tools, install the drive pinion bearing cups.
  2. Assemble and position the following in the differential housing.
    1. Position the screw.
    2. Position the aligning adapter.
    3. Position the inner pinion bearing.
    4. Position the gauge disc.
    5. Position the gauge block.
    6. Position the outer pinion bearing.
    7. Thread on the handle.
    Fig 2: Assembling Special Tools And Position In Differential Housing Parts
    G03190273Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Using a Nm torque wrench, tighten the handle.
    • Tighten to 2.5 Nm (22 lb-in).
    Fig 3: Tightening Handle
    G03190274Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    4. NOTE: Offset the Gauge Block to obtain an accurate reading.
    Fig 4: Rotating Gauge Block Several Half Turns
    G03190275Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. Rotate the Gauge Block several half turns to make sure the pinion bearings seat correctly. Position the special tool as shown.
  5. Install the special tool and the paper shipping tags.
    1. Position the special tool and the paper shipping tags.
    2. Install the differential bearing caps.
    3. Install the differential bearing cap bolts.
      • Tighten to 61 Nm (45 lb-ft).
    Fig 5: Installing Special Tool And Paper Shipping Tags
    G03190276Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    6. NOTE: Selection of a drive pinion position shim that is too thick results in deep tooth contact at final assembly. Do not attempt to force the feeler gauge or drive pinion position shim between the Gauge Block and the Gauge Tube. A slight drag indicates a correct selection.
    Fig 6: Checking Correct Drive Pinion Position Shim Thickness
    G03190277Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Using a feeler gauge or a flat, clean drive pinion position shim, measure between the Gauge Block and the Gauge Tube. Record the measurement.
    • Remove the special tools after determining the correct drive pinion position shim thickness.
  7. Select the correct thickness drive pinion position shim.
    • New drive pinion position shims are available in the following sizes:
    SPECIFICATION

    mm inch
    1.35 0.053
    1.40 0.055
    1.45 0.057
    1.50 0.059
    1.55 0.061
    1.60 0.063
    1.65 0.065
    1.70 0.067
    1.75 0.069
    1.80 0.071
    1.85 0.073
    • Notice the plus (+), minus (-) or zero (0) etching on the new drive pinion, and adjust the thickness of the new drive pinion position shim. If etching is plus (+), subtract the number from the gauged drive pinion position shim thickness. If etching is minus (-), add the number to the gauged drive pinion position shim thickness.
    Fig 7: Identifying (+), Minus (-) Or Zero (0) Etching On Drive Pinion
    G03190278Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Install the drive pinion position shim and the inner pinion bearing.
    • Using the special tool and a suitable press, seat the inner pinion bearing firmly against the drive pinion position shim.
    Fig 8: Installing Inner Pinion Bearing
    G03190279Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  9. Install a new collapsible spacer.
    Fig 9: Installing Collapsible Spacer
    G03190280Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  10. Install the outer drive pinion bearing and the drive pinion oil slinger.
    Fig 10: Installing Outer Drive Pinion Bearing And Drive Pinion Oil Slinger
    G03190281Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    11. NOTE: Lubricate the drive pinion oil seal lips with rear axle lubricant.
    NOTE: The drive pinion oil seal must be fully seated all the way around or drive pinion oil seal damage will occur.
    Fig 11: Installing Drive Pinion Oil Seal Using Special Tool
    G03190282Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. Using the special tool, install the drive pinion oil seal.
  12. Lubricate the drive pinion gear splines with rear axle lubricant.
  13. Install the drive pinion gear into the axle housing.
    Fig 12: Installing Drive Pinion Gear Into Axle Housing
    G03190283Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    14. CAUTION: Never use a metal hammer on the pinion flange or install the flange with power tools. If necessary, use a plastic hammer to tap on a tight fitting flange.
    Fig 13: Positioning Pinion Flange
    G03190284Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  14. Position the pinion flange.
  15. Using the special tool, install the pinion flange.
    Fig 14: Installing Pinion Flange Using Special Tool
    G03190285Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    16. CAUTION: Do not loosen the pinion nut to reduce pinion bearing preload. Install a new collapsible spacer and pinion nut if pinion bearing preload reduction is necessary.
    Fig 15: Holding Pinion Flange Using Special Tool
    G03190286Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut to set the pinion bearing preload.
    • Tighten the pinion nut, rotating the pinion occasionally to make sure the pinion bearing are seating correctly. Take frequent pinion bearing preload readings by rotating the pinion with a Nm torque wrench. The final reading must be 1.7-3.4 Nm (15-30 lb-in).
  17. Install the special tools.
    Fig 16: Installing Special Tools
    G03190287Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  18. Install the differential assembly in the differential housing.
    Fig 17: Installing Differential Assembly In Differential Housing
    G03190288Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    19. NOTE: Repeat this step until obtaining a consistent reading.
    Fig 18: Measuring Total End Play
    G03190289Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  19. Measure the total end play.
    1. Install the special tool.
    2. Force the differential assembly as far as possible away from the indicator. Position the indicator tip on the machined surface and adjust it to measure full travel. With force still applied, set the indicator to zero.
    3. Force the differential assembly as far as possible in the opposite direction.
    4. Record the total end play reading on the Differential Bearing Shim Selection Procedure Worksheet, Line A in this procedure.
  20. Remove the special tool, then remove the differential assembly.
    1. Remove the special tool.
    2. Remove the differential assembly.
    Fig 19: Removing Special Tool
    G03190290Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    21. CAUTION: Do not reuse the original differential ring gear bolts.
    Fig 20: Installing Differential Ring Gear
    G03190291Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  21. Using a suitable press, install the differential ring gear.
    1. Position the differential ring gear and the differential assembly. Start 2 or 3 new differential ring gear bolts to align the holes in the differential ring gear and the differential assembly.
    2. Using a suitable press, install the differential ring gear.
  22. Install the remaining new differential ring gear bolts.
    • Tighten to 122 Nm (90 lb-ft).
    Fig 21: Installing Remaining Differential Ring Gear Bolts
    G03190292Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  23. Install the special tool and position the differential assembly in the differential housing.
    1. Install the special tool.
    2. Position the differential assembly in the differential housing.
    Fig 22: Installing Special Tool And Differential Assembly In Differential Housing
    G03190293Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  24. Position the special tool.
    Fig 23: Positioning Special Tool
    G03190294Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  25. Force the differential ring gear into mesh with the pinion gear (zero backlash). With force still applied, set the special tool to zero.
    Fig 24: Setting Special Tool To Zero Backlash
    G03190295Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  26. Force the differential ring gear away from the pinion gear as far as possible. Record the reading on the Differential Bearing Shim Selection Procedure Worksheet, Line D in this procedure.
    Fig 25: Recording Reading On Differential Bearing Shim
    G03190296Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  27. Remove the special tool.
    Fig 26: Removing Special Tool
    G03190297Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  28. Remove the differential assembly from the differential housing. Remove the special tools from the differential assembly hubs.
    Fig 27: Removing Special Tools From Differential Assembly Hubs
    G03190298Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  29. Complete the worksheet and select the appropriate thickness differential bearing shims. New differential bearing shims are available in 0.0762 mm (0.003 in), 0.127 mm (0.005 in), 0.254 mm (0.010 in) and 0.762 mm (0.030 in) thickness.

    Differential Bearing Shim Selection Procedure Worksheet 

    ITEM

    Line Item Result (actual) mm (in) Result (example) mm (in)
    A Total end play reading (without gears)   2.032 (0.080)
    B Add preload +0.2032 (+0.008) +0.2032 (+0.008)
    C Total (add A and B)   2.2352 (0.088)
    D End play measurement (with gears)   1.0414 (0.041)
    E Subtract the shim thickness on the differential ring gear side -0.0762 (-0.003) -0.0762 (-0.003)
    F Total (subtract E from D) (thickness of shims to place on the differential ring gear side)   0.9652 (0.038)
    G Total (subtract F from C) (thickness of shims to place on the drive pinion side)   1.27 (0.050)
  30. Install the differential bearing shims and the differential bearing.
    1. Position the differential bearing shims and the differential bearing.
    2. Using a suitable press, install the differential bearing.
      • Repeat this step for opposite side of the differential assembly.
      • Most axles will have the larger amount of shims on the differential ring gear side and the smaller amount on the case side.
    Fig 28: Installing Differential Bearings
    G03190299Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  31. Install the special tools.
    • Position the clutch housing gauge needle in the differential carrier spreader adapter hole.
    Fig 29: Installing Special Tools
    G03190300Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    32. CAUTION: Overspreading can damage the differential housing.
    Fig 30: Spreading Differential Housing To Specification
    G03190301Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  32. Spread the differential housing to the specification.
  33. Remove the special tools.
    Fig 31: Removing Special Tools
    G03190302Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    34. NOTE: Push the differential assembly downward to fully seat the differential bearing cups in the differential housing.
    Fig 32: Installing Differential Bearing Cups
    G03190303Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  34. Install the differential bearing cups and the differential assembly in the differential housing.
    1. Position the differential bearing cups on the differential bearings.
    2. Lower the differential assembly in place.
    35. CAUTION: Do not tighten the differential bearing cap bolts to specification at this time.
    Fig 33: Installing Differential Bearing Cap Bolts
    G03190304Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  35. Install the differential bearing caps in their original positions.
    1. Position the differential bearing caps.
    2. Install the differential bearing cap bolts hand-tight.
  36. Remove the special tools.
  37. Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts.
    • Tighten to 61 Nm (45 lb-ft).
    Fig 34: Tightening Differential Bearing Cap Bolts
    G03190305Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  38. Verify that the differential assembly rotates freely.
  39. Using the special tools, measure the backlash at 3 equally spaced points on the differential ring gear.
    1. Mount the special tool.
    2. Position the special tool.
    3. Zero the indicator.
    4. Turn the differential ring gear without turning the pinion gear. Record the measurement.
      • The backlash tolerance is 0.13 mm (0.005 in) to 0.20 mm (0.008 in) and cannot vary more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in) between points checked.
      • If the backlash is not within specification, correct by increasing the thickness of one differential bearing shim and decreasing the thickness of the other differential bearing shim by the same amount.
    Fig 35: Measuring Backlash Using Dial Indicator
    G03190306Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  40. Remove the special tools.
    Fig 36: Removing Special Tools
    G03190307Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  41. Apply marking compound and rotate the differential assembly 5 complete revolutions.
  42. Verify an acceptable pattern check. For additional information, refer to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION .
  43. Install the RH axle shaft.
    44. CAUTION: The machined surfaces on the differential housing and the differential housing cover must be clean and free of oil before applying the new silicone sealant. Cover the inside of the axle before cleaning the machined surface to prevent contamination.
    CAUTION: Install the differential housing cover within 15 minutes of applying the silicone material.
    CAUTION: Allow the sealant to cure for 1 hour before filling the axle with lubricant.
    Fig 37: Identifying Differential Housing Cover With Bead Of Silicone Sealant
    G03190308Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  44. Apply a continuous bead of sealant, of the specified thickness, to the differential housing cover mounting surface.
  45. Install the differential housing cover and the differential housing cover bolts.
    • Tighten to 29 Nm (21 lb-ft).
  46. Install the axle assembly. For additional information, refer to FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY .
  47. Fill the axle with Motorcraft SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant to 9.56 mm (0.38 in) below the bottom of the filler hole.
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