Ford 7.5-Inch Ring Gear - Rear Drive Axle/Differential

Drive Pinion Flange











Removal

CAUTION: The color on the rear of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation. If a new collapsible spacer is installed, install the nut in the kit or damage to the component may occur.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

2. NOTE: The rear wheels and brake drums must be removed to prevent brake drag during drive pinion bearing preload adjustment.

Remove the brake drums.
3. Mark the driveshaft flange and pinion flange for correct alignment during installation.





4. Remove the 4 driveshaft-to-pinion flange bolts.





5. NOTE: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. Never hammer on the driveshaft or any of its components to disconnect the yoke from the flange. Pry only in the area shown with a suitable tool to disconnect the yoke from the flange.

Using a suitable tool as shown, disconnect the driveshaft centering socket yoke from the rear axle pinion flange.
^ Position the driveshaft aside.





6. Install a Nm (lb-inch) torque wrench on the pinion nut and record the torque required to maintain rotation of the pinion through several revolutions.





7. Using the special tool, hold the pinion flange and remove and discard the nut.





8. Index-mark the pinion flange in relation to the pinion stem to make sure of correct alignment during installation.





9. Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.





Installation
1. Lubricate the pinion flange splines with lubricant.

2. NOTE: Disregard the scribe marks if a new pinion flange is being installed.

Align the pinion flange with the drive pinion shaft.
3. Install the pinion flange using the special tool.





4. CAUTION: Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer or damage to the component may occur.

Position the new pinion flange nut.

7.5 In Drive Pinion Nut

7.5 In Drive Pinion Nut:

5. CAUTION: Under no circumstances is the pinion nut to be backed off to reduce preloads or component damage may occur. If reduced preload is required, a new drive pinion collapsible spacer and pinion nut kit must be installed.

NOTE: Remove the special tool while taking preload readings with the Nm (lb-inch) torque wrench.

Using the special tool, hold the pinion flange and tighten the pinion nut.
^ Rotate the pinion occasionally to make sure the cone and roller bearings are seating correctly.
^ Install a Nm (lb-inch) torque wrench on the pinion nut.
^ Rotating the pinion through several revolutions, take frequent cone and roller bearing torque preload readings until the original recorded preload reading is obtained.
^ If the original recorded preload is lower than specification, tighten to the appropriate specification. If the preload is higher than the specification, then tighten the nut to the original reading as recorded.
^ Refer to Torque Specification.





6. Position the driveshaft and align the marks on the pinion flange.





7. NOTE: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern.

Install the 4 driveshaft bolts.
^ Tighten to 112 Nm (83 lb-ft).





8. Install the rear brake drums.