Wheel Hub: Installation

All vehicles 

1. Coat the spindle with axle lubricant.
   NOTE: Clean the spindle thoroughly after removing the rear wheel hub.
   Fig 1: Coating Spindle Using Axle Lubricant

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Using grease, pack each bearing with a bearing packing tool. Apply grease to the thrust surface of the bearing.
3. Position the slinger on the bearing with the tabs facing the bearing.
4. Using a suitable tool, install the wheel hub seals.
   • Verify the slinger is correctly centered in the bore.
5. Fill the wheel hub cavity with 29.6 ml (1 oz) of axle lubricant.
   NOTE: The wheel hub bearings must be prelubricated prior to installation.
   Fig 2: Filling Wheel Hub Cavity Using Axle Lubricant

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Push the rear wheel hub and outer bearing onto the spindle as an assembly.
   NOTE: Use extreme care not to damage the hub seal by allowing it to contact the spindle during installation or damage to the component may occur.
   NOTE: Coat the spindle and wheel hub seal inside diameter with axle lubricant.
   NOTE: Installing the rear wheel hub in this manner causes the outer bearing to act as a pilot, making the installation easier.
   • Hold the outer bearing seated and use the bearing as a pilot.
   Fig 3: Pushing Outer Bearing Onto Spindle

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Install the wheel hub nut on the spindle.
   NOTE: Install a new hub nut if the hub nut comes apart during installation or damage to the component may occur.
   NOTE: Make sure the wheel hub nut tab is located in the keyway prior to thread engagement.
   • Turn the hub nut clockwise for RH thread or counterclockwise for LH thread.
   Fig 4: Installing Wheel Hub Nut On Spindle

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Position the Ford Axle Locknut Socket on the wheel hub nut.
   Fig 5: Positioning Ford Axle Locknut Socket On Wheel Hub Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
9. Using the Ford Axle Locknut Socket, tighten the wheel hub nut, rotating the rear wheel hub occasionally while tightening.
   NOTE: Under no circumstances are power tools to be used when carrying out these operations or damage to the component may occur.
   NOTE: The wheel hub nut should not ratchet as it is tightened. If it does, check the Ford Axle Locknut Socket tabs for wear. They should be a minimum of 5.08 mm (0.2 in) or damage to the components can occur.
   NOTE: Apply inward pressure to the socket to separate the ratcheting components of the hub nut.
   • Tighten to 95 Nm (70 lb-ft).
   Fig 6: Tightening Wheel Hub Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Using the Ford Axle Locknut Socket, back off the hub nut 180 degrees.
    Fig 7: Loosening Wheel Hub Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
11. Tighten the hub nut to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
    NOTE: Apply inward pressure to the socket to separate the ratcheting components of the hub nut.
12. To verify that there is no side-to-side end play, attach a magnetically mounted dial indicator to the spindle end and place the dial indicator tip on the outboard surface of the wheel hub. Check for side-to-side end play.
    • Final bearing adjustment has zero end play.

    Single Rear Wheel (SRW) vehicles 

13. Install the brake disc and caliper. For additional information, refer to REAR DISC BRAKES .

    Dual Rear Wheels (DRW) vehicles 

14. Position back the caliper and anchor plate assembly.
    NOTE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
15. Install the caliper anchor plate bolts.
    • To install, tighten to 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) using a butterfly socket torque adapter (such as Snap On® stock #SBS30).

    All vehicles 

16. Install the wheel(s) and tire(s). For additional information, refer to TIRES & WHEELS .
17. Install the axle shaft. For additional information, refer to AXLE SHAFT .
18. Check the axle lubricant level. For additional information, refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 10.50-INCH RING GEAR .