Axle Assembly: Assembly
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Pickup and 2004 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Align the tab in the anti-lock speed sensor ring with the slot in the differential case. Start the two bolts through the differential case flange and into the differential ring gear to make sure the differential case and the differential ring gear bolt hole align.
- Press the anti-lock speed sensor ring on the differential case. The differential case flange acts as a pilot for the anti-lock speed sensor ring.
- Draw up the Grade 9 bolts alternately and evenly.
- Carry out the DIFFERENTIAL CASE END PLAY CHECK .
- Position the special tools and the inner and outer pinion bearing cups in their respective differential housing bores.
- After placing the inner and outer pinion bearing cups in their bores, place the special tool (inner) on the inner pinion bearing cup.
- Place the special tool (outer) on the outer pinion bearing cup.
- Install the special tool.
- Tighten the special tool to seat the pinion bearing cups into their bores.
- Check that the cups have seated correctly in their bores.
- Assemble and position the following in the differential housing.
- Position the screw (adapter for 205-S156).
- Position the Alignment Adapter.
- Position the inner pinion bearing.
- Position the Drive Pinion Depth Gauge/Aligner.
- Position the Gauge Block (adapter for 205-S156).
- Position the outer pinion bearing.
- Thread on the Drive Pinion Depth Gauge/Aligner (Handle).
- Using a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench, tighten the Handle to the specification.
- Rotate the Gauge Block several half-turns to make sure the pinion bearings are correctly seated and position the Gauge Block.
- Install the special tool.
- Position the special tool.
- Install the bearing caps.
- Install the four bolts.
- Using a feeler gauge or flat, clean drive pinion position shims, measure between the Gauge Block and the Gauge Tube. Record the measurement. Refer to PINION RING GEAR VARIATION NUMBER .
- Remove the special tools after making the correct shim selection.
- Install the correct thickness drive pinion position shim, and the oil slinger, if so equipped, on the pinion.
- Using the special tool, an axle bearing/seal elate, and a suitable cress, install the pinion bearing.
- Inspect the drive pinion bearing preload shims for damage. Discard them if necessary. New shims are available in the thickness shown in the following chart.
- Assemble the drive pinion bearing preload shims onto the pinion and install the pinion into the differential housing.
- Install the outer pinion bearing.
- Using the special tool, install the pinion flange.
- Install the old washer and the lock nut.
- Using a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench, rotate the pinion. The torque must read as specified.
- To increase the preload, remove drive pinion bearing preload shims. To decrease the preload, add shims.
- If the pinion bearing preload is within specification, and the pinion position shim has changed, change the drive pinion bearing preload shims by the same amount.
- The direction arrow pointing toward the pinion flange indicates that by removing the drive pinion position shim, the distance from the centerline of the tubes to the pinion backface increases, giving a plus (+) reading. The drive pinion bearing preload shim pack does not affect the pinion depth setting. However, if the pinion position is changed, the pinion preload will change and may require adjustment to bring the torque-to-rotate within specification. Arrows on the ring gear illustrate the method to increase or decrease backlash and differential bearing preload.
- With the drive pinion at the correct preload as determined earlier in this procedure, remove and discard the lock nut and the washer.
- Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.
- Coat the pinion seal rubber lips with lubricant.
- Using the special tool, install the pinion seal.
- After installation, verify that the garter spring did not pop out of the seal. If the garter spring popped out, install a new pinion seal.
- Coat the inside of the pinion flange with a small amount of lubricant.
- Using the special tool, install the pinion flange.
- Install the new washer and lock nut.
- Carry out the Ring Gear and Pinion Backlash procedure.
- Assemble the differential bearing cups to the differential bearings.
- Using the special tools, spread the differential housing to the specification.
- Use a rawhide hammer to seat the differential into the differential housing pocket.
- Remove the special tools.
- Use a rawhide hammer to seat the differential into the differential housing pocket.
- Install the bearing caps, aligning the letters with those on the differential housing. Tighten the bolts to specification.
- Using the special tools, measure the differential ring gear and pinion backlash at three equally spaced points.
- The backlash tolerance is 0.13-0.203 mm (0.005-0.008 in) and cannot vary more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in) between points checked. A backlash variation of more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in) indicates gear/case runout.
- Move the differential ring gear toward the pinion to correct high backlash.
- Move the differential ring gear away from the pinion to correct low backlash.
- Moving a specified amount of differential bearing shims from one side of the differential to the other makes these corrections.
- Confirm the total preload.
- Using a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench, check the torque to rotate the pinion. The reading must be higher than the initial reading (taken without the differential case installed) by the amount shown, with new bearings installed as recommended.
- If the total preload is too high, remove an equal amount of differential bearing shims from each differential case hub. If the total preload is too low, add an equal amount of differential bearing shims to each differential case hub.
- Carry out the Tooth Contact Pattern Check to verify the final pinion position is correct. Refer to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
- Install the axle shafts. Refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA S135 .
- Install new bolts and retainers.
- Apply a continuous bead of sealant of the specified thickness to the differential housing cover.
- Place two bolts into the differential housing cover at the 8 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Install the differential housing cover.
- Use the two bolts to position the differential housing cover on the differential housing.
- Install the remaining bolts. Tighten the bolts alternately and evenly.
- Allow 1-hour cure time before filling the axle with the correct amount of specified lubricant.
- Fill the axle with the specified type and amount of lubricant. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
- Lower the vehicle.
NOTE:
Align the tab on the anti-lock speed sensor ring with the slot in the differential case.
NOTE:
Apply threadlock and sealer to the new bolts.
NOTE:
Apply threadlock and sealer to the new bolt threads.
CAUTION:
Always install new pinion bearings when installing new bearing cups.
NOTE:
If the feeler gauge can fit between a cup and the bottom of its bore at any point around the cup, remove and reseat the cup.
CAUTION:
If any of the gauge surfaces have nicks in them, remove the high spots with a medium India oilstone to prevent erroneous readings.
NOTE:
Apply only a light oil film on the pinion bearings before assembling the tools.
NOTE:
This step simulates pinion bearing preload.
NOTE:
Offset the Gauge Block to obtain an accurate reading.
NOTE:
Use a feeler gauge or flat, clean drive pinion position shims as a measuring device.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to force the gauge or shim between the Gauge Block and the Gauge Tube. A slight drag indicates a correct selection.
CAUTION:
Follow the drive pinion bearing preload shim and drive pinion position shim assembly sequence as directed or unit failure can result.
NOTE:
Always use the same new inner pinion bearing installed when taking the measurement for drive pinion position shim selection.
NOTE:
Use the thickness of the old drive pinion bearing preload shims as a starting point for setting pinion bearing preload.
CAUTION:
Always install a new washer and lock nut.
CAUTION:
Do not spread the differential housing more than specified.
CAUTION:
Avoid nicking the ring gear teeth and the anti-lock speed sensor ring during assembly.
CAUTION:
Match the mating letters as noted during disassembly.
NOTE:
Install the driveshaft to the index marks made during removal.
CAUTION:
Clean both flat surfaces (differential housing and differential housing cover) with a suitable solvent to remove all traces of oil film.
CAUTION:
Install the differential housing cover within 15 minutes of applying the silicone, or it will be necessary to remove and reapply new sealant.
NOTE:
The differential housing cover requires a silicone rubber sealer material, rather than a gasket.
CAUTION:
For Trac-Lok® axles, first fill the axle with 0.2365 liters (0.5 pints) of Additive Friction Modifier.