Driveshaft - Rear, One-Piece, Rear Wheel Drive (RWD): Removal

All vehicles 

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING -- EXCURSION & F250-F550 SUPER DUTY .

Vehicles with slip yokes 

CAUTION: Do not allow the output shaft to turn.
Fig 1: Identifying Index-Mark Location On Driveshaft And Transmission Extension Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Index-mark the driveshaft and the transmission extension housing.

Vehicles with circular flange 

3. Index-mark the driveshaft yoke and the transmission flange.
   Fig 2: Identifying Index-Mark Location On Driveshaft Yoke And Transmission Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with split pin yoke 

4. Index-mark the driveshaft and the rear axle pinion flange.
   Fig 3: Identifying Index-Mark Location On Driveshaft And Rear Axle Pinion Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. CAUTION: It may be necessary to unseat the bearing cup assemblies by tapping on the yoke or bearing cup with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer.

   Remove and discard the four bolts and the two U-joint retainers.

   Fig 4: Removing Bolts And U-Joint Retainers

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with circular flange 

6. Index-mark the driveshaft yoke and the rear axle pinion flange.
   Fig 5: Identifying Index-Mark Location On Driveshaft Yoke And Rear Axle Pinion Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. CAUTION: It may be necessary to tap the driveshaft yoke with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer if a pry area is not present on the driveshaft yoke.

   Remove and discard the four bolts.

   Fig 6: Removing Bolts

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: It may be necessary to tap the driveshaft yoke with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer if a pry area is not present on the driveshaft yoke.
NOTE: Bolt direction is vehicle application dependent.
Fig 7: Removing Bolts At Transmission
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Remove and discard the 4 rear driveshaft-to-transmission bolts.

Vehicles with split pin flange 

9. CAUTION: It may be necessary to unseat the bearing cup assemblies by tapping on the yoke or bearing cup with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer.

   Disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle pinion flange. For manual transmission, remove the driveshaft from the vehicle. For automatic transmission, lower the driveshaft and slide it rearward off the transmission output shaft.

   • Tape the bearing cups to the spider to keep them from falling off the spider.
   • Plug the automatic transmission extension housing to prevent fluid loss.
     Fig 8: Disconnecting Driveshaft From Rear Axle Pinion Flange

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with circular flange 

CAUTION: The driveshaft yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. Pry only in the area shown, with a suitable tool, to disconnect the yoke from the flange.
CAUTION: It may be necessary to tap the driveshaft yoke with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer if a pry area is not present on the driveshaft yoke.
10. Using a suitable tool as shown, disconnect the driveshaft yoke from the rear axle pinion flange. For manual transmission, remove the driveshaft from the vehicle. For automatic transmission, lower the driveshaft and slide it rearward off the transmission output shaft.
    • Plug the automatic transmission extension housing to prevent fluid loss.
      Fig 9: Disconnecting Driveshaft Yoke From Rear Axle Pinion Flange Using Suitable Tool

      Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.