Inspection For Bent Rear Axle Housing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Excursion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise and support the vehicle. 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.
CAUTION: The axle identification tag is the official service identifier. Do not damage the tag. Always reinstall the tag after removing it for axle inspection/repair.

Fig 1: Identifying Mark On Vertical Line
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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).

Fig 2: Adjusting Both Wheels And Markings Face Front Of Vehicle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the rear wheels so the markings are directly underneath the vehicle. Measure the distance between the marks and record this reading (bottom reading).

Fig 3: Rotating Rear Wheels So Markings Are Directly Underneath Vehicle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the rear wheels so the markings face the rear of the vehicle. Measure and record the distance between the marks (rear reading).

Fig 4: Rotating Rear Wheels So Markings Face Rear Of Vehicle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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 differential housing does not meet these specifications, install a new differential housing. Refer to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL-DANA 80 , REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL-DANA S135 or REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL-FORD 10.5 IN. RING GEAR .