Rear axleshaft — removal and installation Ford F150
1. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts. Raise the rear of the vehicle, support it securely on jackstands and block the front wheels.
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the brake disc (see Brakes).
4. Remove ABS sensor from the backing plate (see Brakes).
5. Drain the differential lubricant (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).
8.6a Position a large screwdriver between the rear axle case and a ring gear bolt to keep the differential case from turning when removing the pinion shaft lock bolt
8.6b Rotate the differential case 180-degrees and slide the pinion shaft out of the case until the stepped part of the shaft contacts the ring gear
6. Remove the lock bolt from the differential pinion shaft. Slide the notched end of the pinion shaft out of the differential case as far as it will go .
8.7 Push in on the axle flange and remove the C-lock from the inner end of the axleshaft
7. Push the outer (flanged) end of the axleshaft in and remove the C-lock from the inner end of the shaft .
8. Withdraw the axleshaft, taking care not to damage the oil seal in the end of the axle housing as the splined end of the axleshaft passes through it.
Note: Have drain pan at the brake end of the axleshaft as you pull it out. Some oil will spill as you remove it.
9. Installation is the reverse of removal.
The manufacturer recommends that a new pinion shaft lock bolt be used, but if one is not available, coat the threads with a non-hardening thread locking compound. Install the pinion shaft lock bolt and tighten it to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
10. Refill the axle with the correct quantity and grade of lubricant (see Tune-up and routine maintenance). Tighten the wheel lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.