Inspection For Bent Rear Axle Housing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford RV Cutaway, 2003 Ford Econoline, 2003 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Allow the rear axle (4001) to be freely suspended.
- Use white chalk or paint to mark a vertical line on the center of each rear tire.
- 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).
- Rotate the rear wheels so the markings are directly underneath the vehicle. Measure the distance between the marks and record this reading (bottom reading).
- Rotate the rear wheels so the markings face the rear of the vehicle. Measure and record the distance between the marks (rear reading).
- Compare the front and the rear readings (Steps 4
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.
- To determine camber, find the average of the front and the rear measurements (Steps 4
and 5
). Subtract the bottom reading (Step 4
) from this number.
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.
- 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 axle housing does not meet these specifications, it must be installed new. Refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 60 & 70 , DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - 8.8-INCH RING GEAR , or REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 9.75-INCH .
- After a new axle housing has been installed, repeat Steps 2 through 7 .