Axle Assembly: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford F550 Super Duty and 2005 Ford F450 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set the parking brake.

Fig 1: Setting Parking Brake
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Chock the front wheels.

Fig 2: Chocking Front Wheels
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosen, but do not remove, the rear wheel nuts.
- To install, tighten to 224 Nm (165 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 3: Removing Rear Wheel Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Raise and support the rear of the vehicle high enough so that it will clear the axle assembly when removing it.

Fig 4: Supporting Rear Of Vehicle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using a suitable wheel dolly, remove the rear wheels.

Fig 5: Removing Rear Wheels
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the parking brake cable tension, and disconnect the cables at the equalizer and the anchor plate. For additional information, refer to PARKING BRAKE CABLE TENSION RELEASE .

Fig 6: Releasing Parking Brake Cable Tension
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the frame anchors, and position the parking brake cables aside.

Fig 7: Removing Frame Anchors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the rear anti-lock brake sensor electrical connector. Release the harness clips and position the harness aside.

Fig 8: Disconnecting Rear Anti-Lock Brake Sensor Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Index and disconnect the driveshaft, and position it aside. For additional information, refer to DRIVESHAFT .

Fig 9: Removing Drive Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the stabilizer bar nuts from both lower ends of the stabilizer bar links. Disconnect the stabilizer bar at the sway links.
- To install, tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 10: Removing Stabilizer Bar Nuts From Both Lower Ends Of Stabilizer Bar Links
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the shock absorber nut and bolt. Disconnect both shock absorbers from the axle.
- To install, tighten both to 62 Nm (46 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 11: Removing Shock Absorber Nut And Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the hydraulic brake hose and axle vent hose at the crossmember. Plug the brake hose and brake line, and position the hoses aside.

Fig 12: Disconnecting Hydraulic Brake Hose And Axle Vent Hose At Crossmember
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Support the axle with a suitable floor jack.

Fig 13: Supporting Axle With Suitable Floor Jack
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Mark the front of each spring seat cap for proper orientation during installation.

Remove the U-bolt nuts, the spring seat caps and the U-bolts.
- To install, for F450 vehicles, tighten to 300 Nm (222 lb-ft), for F550 vehicles, tighten to 350 Nm (259 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 14: Removing U-Bolt Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

WARNING: Watch for obstructions while lowering and removing the axle.

Fig 15: Removing Axle

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Carefully lower the axle and remove it from the vehicle.