Do you need to remove the axle from a car?
Do you need to remove the axle from a car?
If you are planning to just perform a rebuild that requires replacing bearings and seals, then the axle can stay in the car. If you are going to shorten the axle housing, repaint, or powdercoat the axle, then you need to remove the entire axle assembly from the vehicle.
Where is the rear differential on a Ford F-150?
If you’ve got the time, tools, and confidence, you can swap it out yourself. This article applies to the Ford F-150 (2004-2014) and F-250, F-350 Super Duty (2005-2014). The rear differential is located within the rear axle and is the final step for power to reach the rear wheels.
Why do you remove shocks from an axle?
Typically, the shocks are the travel limiters of the axle at full rebound. So, once the vehicle is securely supported by jack stands, remove the shocks. This allows the axle assembly to drop even lower in the chassis.
Do you need to shorten the axle housing?
If you are going to shorten the axle housing, repaint, or powdercoat the axle, then you need to remove the entire axle assembly from the vehicle. Since the disassembly process is the same for the 8.8-inch and the 9-inch, the removal process of a generic axle is covered here (see Chapter 3 for the 8.8-inch and Chapter 5 for the 9-inch axle).
What kind of rear axle does a F-150 have?
Some F-150s and Econoline vans with a V-6 engine also come with the 8.8-inch axle in the rear. Even some late-1990s trucks with the 4.6-liter V-8 engine used this axle. The four-wheel-drive F-Series, Expedition, and Navigator use a special version of the 8.8-inch on the front axle.
What happens when an 8.8 inch axle fails?
When the axle shaft fails on a C-washer-style axle, such as the 8.8 axle, nothing is holding the wheel in place, except for the disc brake caliper brackets, if your vehicle has rear discs. These brackets were never designed to withstand axle failures and this high level of loading, and therefore they end up failing as well.
Do you need to clear the axle housing?
The axle shafts need to clear the axle housing to be fully removed. If you are going to perform a standard rebuild, which means replacing bearings, seals, and clutch pack, it is imperative to take good notes of the shims’ locations so you can return the axle back into service with minimal adjustments required.
How do you check an axle shaft runout?
Depending on your rebuild plan, it may make sense to verify axle shaft runout by setting up a dial indicator. The dial indicator base has a magnetic portion that is mounted to the brake backing plate. Then the dial indicator stand portion is adjusted in order to achieve the correct position of the dial pointer.
