Removal and Installation

CAUTION: Do not loosen the rear axle wheel hub retainer until after the wheel and tire assembly are removed from the vehicle. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is unloaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to SUSPENSION SYSTEM .
3. Remove the parts in the order indicated in the following illustration and table.
   Fig 1: Removing Rear Axle Halfshafts, Bearings And Seals

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
5. Fill the axle with the specified quantity of the specified lubricant. For additional information, refer to the SPECIFICATIONS .

Item 1: Rear Disc Brake Caliper Removal Note 

CAUTION: Do not allow the caliper to hang from the brake hose. Provide a suitable support.
1. Position the rear disc brake caliper aside. For additional information, refer to BRAKE SYSTEM .

Item 2: Rear Axle Wheel Hub Retainer and Washer Removal Note 

CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the rear axle half shaft assembly from the hub. Damage to the threads and internal CV joint components can result.
CAUTION: Once the rear axle halfshaft assembly separates from the hub, the knuckle will continue to pivot until the brake backing plate presses against the suspension lower arm. To prevent damage to the brake backing plate, immediately after separating the outboard CV joint from the hub, rest the knuckle on a cushioned support that is tall enough to keep the backing plate from pressing against the suspension lower arm.
Fig 2: Separating Rear Axle Halfshaft Assembly From Hub
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
1. Separate the rear axle halfshaft assembly from the hub.
   1. Using the special tool, press the outboard CV joint until it is loose in the hub.
   2. Remove the special tool.
   3. Separate the outboard CV joint from the hub.

Item 6: Rear Halfshaft Assembly Removal Note 

CAUTION: Support the rear suspension upper arm to prevent boot damage when removing the halfshaft assembly from the vehicle.
Fig 3: Supporting Rear Suspension Upper Arm Using A Wood Stick
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
1. Using a wood stick, approximately 450 mm (18 in) long and 25 mm (1 in) wide, support the rear suspension upper arm.
CAUTION: Do not damage the axle shaft oil seal or the machined sealing surface on the inboard CV joint housing.
CAUTION: Do not allow the splines on the inboard CV joint housing to touch the axle shaft oil seal.
NOTE: A circlip retains the inboard CV joint housing to the differential side gear in the axle.
Fig 4: Disengaging Inboard CV Joint Housing From Differential Side Gear
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Using the special tool, disengage the inboard CV joint housing from the differential side gear.
3. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
   1. Remove and discard the boot clamps.
   2. Remove the inboard CV joint housing.
   Fig 5: Removing Inboard CV Joint Housing And Discard Boot Clamps

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
   1. Remove and discard the retainer circlip.
   2. Slide the boot away from the CV joint.
   Fig 6: Identifying Retainer Circlip

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. Using a suitable 3-jaw puller, remove the CV joint.
   Fig 7: Removing CV Joint Using 3-Jaw Puller

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Remove and discard the tri-lobe insert and the boot.
   Fig 8: Inserting Boot

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The outboard CV joint is not removable from the halfshaft. The boot must be removed or installed from the inboard CV joint side of the shaft.
Fig 9: Removing Boot
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. For the outboard CV joint, carry out the following:
   1. Remove and discard the boot clamps.
   2. Remove and discard the boot.
8. If necessary, press the brake anti-lock sensor indicator from the outer CV joint.
   Fig 10: Identifying Brake Anti-Lock Sensor Indicator

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 7: Rear Stub Shaft Housing Bearing and Seal Removal Note 

NOTE: If only a new rear stub shaft housing bearing seal is to be installed, engage the special tool tangs on the seal.
Fig 11: Removing Stub Shaft Housing Bearing Seal
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
1. Remove the stub shaft housing bearing and stub shaft housing bearing seal.
   1. Install the special tool with the tangs firmly engaged on the stub shaft housing bearing.
   2. Remove the stub shaft housing bearing and stub shaft housing bearing seal.

Item 7: Rear Stub Shaft Housing Bearing and Seal Installation Note 

1. Lubricate the stub shaft housing bearing with axle lubricant. Place the stub shaft housing bearing on the special tool.
   Fig 12: Identifying Lubricate Stub Shaft

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Install the stub shaft housing bearing in the rear axle housing bore.
   Fig 13: Installations Shaft Housing Bearing In Rear Axle Housing Bore

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Do not disassemble the new oil seal.
Fig 14: Placing Seal Using Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. Place the seal on the special tool.
CAUTION: Installation of the stub shaft housing bearing and seal without the correct tool can result in an early bearing or seal failure. If the bearing or seal become cocked during installation, remove it and install a new one.
Fig 15: Installing Seal Differential Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Carefully align the stub shaft housing bearing seal with the housing bore and install the seal flush in the differential housing.

Item 6: Rear Halfshaft Assembly Installation Note 

1. For the outboard CV joint, carry out the following:
   1. Slide the boot on the interconnecting shaft.
   2. Pack the outboard CV joint with 225 grams (7.93 oz.) of grease.
   3. Spread any remaining grease evenly inside the boot.
   4. Install the boot by seating it in the groove in the CV joint housing.
   Fig 16: Installing Boot Seating Groove In CV Joint Housing

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Using the special tool, install the boot clamps.
   Fig 17: Installing Boot Clamps Using Special Tool

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
3. If necessary, install a new brake anti-lock sensor indicator on the outer CV joint.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the axle shaft oil seal, install the Differential Seal Protector before positioning the inboard CV joint housing in the axle.
CAUTION: Always install the halfshaft with a new retainer circlip and a new rear axle wheel hub retainer.
Fig 18: Installing Retainer Circlip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Install a new retainer circlip.
5. Remove and discard the halfshaft excluder seal.
   Fig 19: Removing Halfshaft Excluder Seal

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
   1. Position the clamp on the interconnecting shaft.
   2. Position the boot on the interconnecting shaft.
   3. Install the tri-lobe insert.
   Fig 20: Installing Tri-Lobe Insert

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Using the special tool, install the CV joint.
   Fig 21: Installing CV Joint Using Special Tool

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Install the retainer circlip.
   Fig 22: Installing Retainer Circlip

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. For the inboard CV joint, carry out the following:
   1. Pack the inboard CV joint housing with 250 grams (8.82 oz.) of grease.
   2. Spread any remaining grease evenly inside the boot and CV joint.
   3. Install the inboard CV joint housing, seating the boot in the groove in the housing.
   Fig 23: Installing Inboard CV Joint Housing

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Set the halfshaft assembled length to specifications. For additional information, refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
    1. Measure the entire assembly length.
    2. Push in or pull out on the inner joint as necessary to adjust the halfshaft assembled length.
    3. Hold the inner joint to prevent the assembled length from changing, and insert a small flat-blade screwdriver between the boot and the joint to equalize the pressure.
    Fig 24: Setting Assembled Length To Specifications

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Using the special tool, install both boot clamps.
    Fig 25: Installing Both Boot Clamps Using Special Tool

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 2: Rear Axle Wheel Hub Retainer and Washer Installation Note 

CAUTION: Never use power tools to tighten the rear axle wheel hub retainer.
1. Install a new rear axle wheel hub retainer and washer.