Differential Case and Ring Gear - Trac-Lok®: Disassembly
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup and 2012 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Remove the differential carrier. For additional information, refer to Differential Carrier .
- Index-mark the differential case.
- Index-mark the differential case halves.
- Index-mark the differential pinion shafts and corresponding ramps.
- Remove and discard 8 of the differential ring gear bolts. Leave 4 differential ring gear bolts loosely assembled, 90 degrees apart.
- Tap each differential ring gear bolt head alternately with a rawhide or plastic hammer to loosen the differential ring gear. Remove and discard the 4 differential ring gear bolts. Remove the differential ring gear.
- Loosen, but do not remove, the 8 bolts.
- Place the differential assembly on a bench.
- Remove the bolts and the case top half.
- Remove the differential side gear, rear axle disc and plate kit, differential pinion gears and the differential pinion shafts. Keep these parts in order for correct installation by placing them aside with the top half of the differential case.
- Remove the side gear and the rear axle disc and plate kit from the flange half of the differential case. Keep these parts in order by placing them on the pinion flange as shown in illustration.
- Inspect the following components:
- The clutch plates and clutch discs for cracks, excessive wear and distortion. Always install an entirely new rear axle disc and plate kit on both sides if discarding one or more of the clutch plates or clutch discs.
- The differential pinion shafts and the ramp surfaces on the differential case for excessive wear or pitting.
- The differential side gear and differential pinion gear teeth.
NOTE:
An axle shaft held in a vise, with the shaft splines extending not more than 3 inches above the vise jaws, makes an excellent holding fixture for the differential case.