Inspection for Bent Rear Axle Housing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING . Allow the rear axle 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 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.
- 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.
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, a new housing must be installed. For additional information, refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR .
- After the axle housing has been installed, repeat Steps 2 through 7.