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

Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal

Special Tool(s):

Material:

Removal

CAUTION: This operation disturbs the pinion bearing preload. Carefully reset the pinion bearing preload during assembly or damage to the component may occur.

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

3. NOTE: The disc brake calipers must be removed to prevent brake drag during drive pinion bearing preload adjustment.

Remove the rear brake disc.
4. Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, remove and discard the pinion nut.





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





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





7. Force up on the metal flange of the drive pinion seal. Install gripping pliers and strike with a hammer until the drive pinion seal is removed.





8. Remove the pinion shaft oil slinger and the outer drive pinion bearing.





9. Remove and discard the drive pinion collapsible spacer from the pinion stem.

Installation

1. CAUTION: Both the collapsible spacer and drive pinion nut supplied in the kit must be installed new or damage to the component may occur.

Position the new collapsible spacer from the 4CI21 kit on the drive pinion.
2. Position the outer drive pinion bearing and pinion shaft oil slinger on the drive pinion.





3. Lubricate the new drive pinion seal with grease.

4. NOTE: If the new drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove the drive pinion seal and install a new drive pinion seal.

Using the special tool, install a new drive pinion seal.





5. Lubricate the pinion flange splines with axle lubricant.

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

Align the pinion flange with the drive pinion shaft.





7. Using the special tool, install the pinion flange.





8. CAUTION: Install the new pinion nut from the 4CI21 kit or damage to the component may occur.

Install the new pinion nut. Only hand-tighten the pinion nut at this time.

9. NOTE: Under no circumstances is the pinion nut to be backed off to reduce drive pinion bearing preload. If reduced drive pinion bearing preload is required, a new drive pinion collapsible spacer and pinion nut must be installed.

NOTE: Remove the special tool while taking drive pinion bearing preload readings with the Nm (lb-in) torque wrench.

Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut.
^ Rotate the drive pinion occasionally to make sure the drive pinion bearings are seating correctly.
^ Install a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench on the pinion nut.
^ Rotating the drive pinion through several revolutions, take frequent drive pinion bearing preload readings until the drive pinion bearing preload reading is obtained. For additional information, refer to Specifications.





10. Install the driveshaft.
11. Install the rear brake disc.