Wheel Hub: Installation

All vehicles 

NOTE: Clean the spindle thoroughly after removing the rear wheel hub.
Fig 1: Locating Spindle Surface To Be Lubricant
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
1. Coat the spindle with axle lubricant.
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.
NOTE: The wheel hub bearings must be prelubricated prior to installation.
Fig 2: Filling Hub Cavity With Axle Lubricant
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. Fill the wheel hub cavity with 29.6 ml (1 oz) of axle lubricant.
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.
Fig 3: Installing Outer Bearing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
6. Push the rear wheel hub and outer bearing onto the spindle as an assembly.
   • Hold the outer bearing seated and use the bearing as a pilot.
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.
Fig 4: Installing Wheel Hub Nut On Spindle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. Install the wheel hub nut on the spindle.
   • Turn the hub nut clockwise for RH thread or counterclockwise for LH thread.
8. Position the Ford Axle Locknut Socket on the wheel hub nut.
   Fig 5: Removing Hub Nut

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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.
Fig 6: Tightening 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.
   • Tighten to 95 Nm (70 lb-ft).
10. Using the Ford Axle Locknut Socket, back off the hub nut 180 degrees.
    Fig 7: Backing Off Hub Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Apply inward pressure to the socket to separate the ratcheting components of the hub nut.
11. Tighten the hub nut to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
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 BRAKE .

    Dual Rear Wheels (DRW) vehicles 

NOTE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
14. Position back the caliper and anchor plate assembly.
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 WHEELS AND TIRES .
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 .