Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear

Differential Case and Ring Gear - Conventional

















Disassembly

1. Remove the differential carrier from the differential housing. For additional information, refer to Differential Carrier Differential Carrier.

2. Remove and discard the 10 differential ring gear bolts.





3. NOTE: Do not damage the differential ring gear bolt hole threads.

NOTE: If removing the anti-lock speed sensor ring, discard it, and install a new anti-lock speed sensor ring during assembly.

Insert a punch in the bolt holes, and drive off the differential ring gear and, if necessary, the anti-lock speed sensor ring.





4. Using the 2 Jaw Puller and Step Plate, remove the 2 differential bearings, if necessary.





5. Rotate and remove the differential pinion gears and differential pinion thrust washers.





6. Remove the differential side gears and differential side gear thrust washers.





Assembly

1. Lubricate the differential side gear thrust washers and the differential side gear journals with axle lubricant.

2. Position the differential side gear thrust washers on the differential side gears.





3. Position the differential side gear and thrust washer assemblies in the differential case.





4. Lubricate the differential pinion thrust washers and differential pinion gears with axle lubricant.

5. Assemble the differential pinion thrust washers and the differential pinion gears.





6. Engage the differential pinion gears opposite the differential side gears. Rotate the differential pinion gears to align with the differential pinion shaft bore.





7. Using the Differential Side Bearing Installer, install the 2 new differential bearings.





8. Position the differential ring gear, the anti-lock speed sensor ring and the differential case. Align the bolt holes by starting 2 bolts through the holes in the differential case and the differential ring gear. Press the new anti-lock speed sensor ring, if removed, and the differential ring gear on the differential case.

9. Install the 10 new differential ring gear bolts. Tighten in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 60 Nm (44 lb-ft).

- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.





10. Install the differential carrier. For additional information, refer to Differential Carrier Differential Carrier.