Removal (Ford)
- Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. If equipped with locking hubs, see removal and installation instructions on Locking Hubs and 4-Wheel Drive Steering Knuckles in appropriate articles in this section. Remove wheel and brake caliper assembly. Remove hub dust cover and snap ring. Remove drive gear and pressure spring. Remove the wheel bearing lock nut, lock ring, and adjusting nut, using front wheel bearing spanner (T59T-1197-B for F150/250 and Bronco or T78T-1197-A for F350).
- Remove the hub and disc assembly. Remove the spindle retaining nuts, then carefully remove the spindle from the knuckle studs and axle shaft. It may be necessary to tap the spindle with a rawhide or plastic hammer to break the spindle loose. Remove spindle, splash shield and axle shaft assembly. Remove the stub shaft and slip yoke assembly by removing 3 bolts attaching retainer plate to carrier housing.
- Place the axle shaft in a vise and drill a 1/4" hole in the bearing retainer ring to a depth 3/4 the thickness of the ring. With a chisel placed across the hole, strike sharply with a hammer to remove the retaining ring. Replace bearing retaining ring upon assembly. Press the bearing from the axle shaft with the special axle bearing removing tools (T80T-4000-M and T80T-4000-L). Remove the seal and retainer plate from the stub shaft. Discard seal and replace with new seal upon assembly.