Wheel Hubs and Bearings - Full Floating Axle - Ford
Wheel Hub
Removal
All vehicles
1. Remove the axle shaft. For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft Wheel Hubs and Bearings - Full Floating Axle - Ford.
2. Remove the wheel(s) and tire(s). For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.
Single Rear Wheel (SRW) vehicles
3. Remove the brake disc. For additional information, refer to Rear Disc Brake Rear Disc Brake.
Dual Rear Wheels (DRW) vehicles
4. Remove the caliper anchor plate bolts.
5. NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
Position the caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.
- Support the caliper and anchor plate assembly using mechanic's wire.
All vehicles
6. NOTE: The wheel hub nuts are RH thread (right hub) and LH thread (left hub). Each wheel hub nut is stamped RH or LH.
Install the Ford Axle Locknut Socket so that the drive tangs of the tool engage the 4 slots in the wheel hub nut.
7. NOTICE: Under no circumstances are power tools to be used when carrying out these operations or damage to the component may occur.
NOTICE: The wheel hub nut should not ratchet during this operation. 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: Discard the wheel hub nut if the wheel hub nut comes apart during removal.
NOTE: Apply inward pressure to the socket to separate the ratcheting components of the hub nut.
Using the Ford Axle Locknut Socket, remove the hub nut (counterclockwise for RH thread; clockwise for LH thread).
8. Install the Step Plate.
9. Using the Step Plate and 2 Jaw Puller, loosen the rear wheel hub to the point of removal.
10. NOTICE: Do not drop the outer hub bearing when removing the hub or damage to the component may occur.
Remove the rear wheel hub assembly.
11. NOTE: Install a new wheel hub seal each time the hub assembly is removed.
NOTE: The inner bearing is located behind the wheel hub seal.
Remove the wheel hub seal, slinger and inner bearing.
12. NOTICE: Use extreme care not to scratch or gouge the seal or bearing surfaces or damage to the component may occur.
If after wheel hub removal, the wheel hub seal or seal inner sleeve remains on the spindle, remove it as shown using the Step Plate and 2 Jaw Puller.
13. Inspect the seal surface and inner shoulder for scratches and damage.
- Remove all scratches, gouges or galling damage with crocus cloth.
Installation
All vehicles
1. NOTE: Clean the spindle thoroughly after removing the rear wheel hub.
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.
5. NOTE: The wheel hub bearings must be prelubricated prior to installation.
Fill the wheel hub cavity with 29.6 ml (1 oz) of axle lubricant.
6. NOTICE: 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.
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.
7. NOTICE: 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.
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.
9. NOTICE: Under no circumstances are power tools to be used when carrying out these operations or damage to the component may occur.
NOTICE: 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.
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.
11. NOTE: Apply inward pressure to the socket to separate the ratcheting components of the hub nut.
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 Rear Disc Brake.
Dual Rear Wheels (DRW) vehicles
14. NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
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(R) stock #SBS30).
All vehicles
16. Install the wheel(s) and tire(s). For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.
17. Install the axle shaft. For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft Wheel Hubs and Bearings - Full Floating Axle - Ford.
18. Check the axle lubricant level.