7 1/2 Inch Ring Gear Axle

Fig. 2 Disassembled view of Ford 7 1/2 inch ring gear axle:

DESCRIPTION

This axle can be identified by the 10 cover bolts.

The gear set, Fig. 2, consists of a ring gear and an overhung drive pinion which is supported by two opposed tapered roller bearings. The differential case is a one-piece design with openings allowing assembly of the internal parts and lubricant flow. The differential pinion shaft is retained with a threaded bolt (lock) assembled to the case.

The roller type wheel bearings have no inner race, and the rollers directly contact the bearing journals of the axle shafts. The axle shafts do not use an inner and outer bearing retainer. Rather, they are held in the axle by means of C-locks. These C-locks also fit into a machined recess in the differential side gears within the differential case. There is no retainer bolt access hole in the axle shaft flange.

REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY, REPLACE
1. Raise vehicle and support at rear frame members.
2. Remove rear wheels and brake drums.
3. Drain rear axle lubricant by removing housing cover.
4. Remove axle shafts as described under ``Axle Shafts, Seals & Bearings, Replace.''
5. Remove 4 retaining nuts from each backing plate and wire the plates aside.
6. Disconnect rear axle housing vent.
7. Disconnect brake line from retaining clips on axle housing.
8. Remove hydraulic brake T-fitting from axle housing.
9. Mark driveshaft and axle flange for assembly reference, then disconnect shaft from flange.
10. Support axle with a suitable jack, then remove U-bolt nuts, U-bolts and plates.
11. Disconnect lower shock absorber studs from axle housing mounting brackets.
12. Lower axle housing and remove from vehicle.
13. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following torques: U-bolt nuts, 55-75 ft. lbs., shock absorber lower mounts, 40-60 ft. lbs., brake backing plate nuts, 20-40 ft. lbs., driveshaft-to-pinion flange bolts, 70-95 ft. lbs. and rear cover bolts, 25-35 ft. lbs., except ratio tag bolt, which is torqued to 15-24 ft. lbs.

Fig. 3 Axle shaft removal. 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 ratio axle:

Fig. 4 Axle shaft removal. Except 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 ratio axle:

AXLE SHAFTS, SEALS & BEARINGS, REPLACE
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheels and brake drums.
3. Drain rear axle lubricant by removing housing cover.
4. On models with 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 ratio axle, remove axle shafts as follows:
a. Remove pinion shaft lock bolt, then rotate pinion shaft until relief in shaft faces either side gear, Fig. 3, and remove C-lockwasher from axle shaft.
b. Rotate pinion shaft 1/2 turn until relief faces opposite side gear and remove C-lockwasher from axle shafts.
c. Carefully slide shafts out of housing.
5. On all models except those with 3.73:1 or 4.10:1 ratio axle, remove axle shafts as follows:
a. Remove differential pinion shaft lock bolt and the shaft.
b. Push axle shafts inward toward center of vehicle and remove C-lockwashers from shafts, Fig. 4.
c. Carefully slide axle shafts out of housing.
6. Remove seal and bearing using a suitable hook-type puller.
7. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Apply suitable grease between lips of axle shaft seal.
b. Install seal and bearing using tool No. T78P-1225-A or equivalent.
c. Torque pinion shaft lock bolt to 15---22 ft. lbs.
d. Torque differential housing cover bolts to 25---35 ft. lbs., except the ratio tag bolt which is torqued to 15---24 ft. lbs.