1969 FORD MUSTANG differential

04-01-02
General Axle Service

04-01-02

COMPONENT INDEX
MODEL APPLICATION

o

3
I

i

Ji

LUBRICANT LEVEL CHECK

01-10

PINION RETAINER

01-10

Cleaning and Inspection

01-10

SHIM AND BACKLASH CHANGES
01-03

Integral Carrier

Removable Carrier
01-04
N/A

01-04
01-04

01-04

01-04
01-04
01-04

N/A
N/A
N/A

U-JOINT FLANGE
01-10

Cleaning and Inspection
01-10

A page number indicates that the item is for the vehicle listed at the head of the column.

N/A indicates that the item is not applicable to the vehicle listed.

1
COMMON ADJUSTMENTS
AND
REPAIRS

IDENTIFICATION

The AXLE code on the vehicle

Warranty Plate (Fig. 1) identifies the

rear axle type (conventional or

limited-slip differential) and gear

ratio.

A metal tag (Fig. 2) stamped with

the model designation and gear ratio

is secured to one of the rear cover-

to-housing bolts (integral carrier-type)

or to one of the carrier-to-housing

bolts (removable carrier-type).

The spaces on the top line provide

the axle model identification code.

This code, such as WDT-AN4,

WDC-AS4, WEG-C2, etc. indicates a

specific combination of the following

factors: conventional or limited slip

differential; diameter of ring gear;

small or large wheel bearings; and the

gear ratio. Refer to the specifications

group of this manual for the car-line

rear axle ratios, gear and code
identif-

ication.

The second line on the tag is used

for gear ratio, the production date

code and the production plant identifi-

cation code.
It is important to use the model

designation when obtaining correct re-

placement parts.

LIMITED-SUP
OR

TRACTION-LOK DIFFERENTIAL

OPERATION CHECK

A limited-slip or Traction-Loc dif-
ferential can be checked for proper

operation without removing the carrier

from the axle housing.

Jack up one rear wheel and remove

the wheel cover. Install the tool on the

axle shaft flange studs as shown in

Fig. 3.

AXLE MODEL

PLANT CODING

DATE (YEAR, MONTH, WEEK)

RATIO (CONVENTIONAL)

(LIMITED SLIP WOULD
BE
3L00)

E 1918-A

FIG.
2—Rear
Axle Model Identification
Tag

NOT
FOR
TITLE
OR
REGISTRATION

9G5IVI0000I
WARRANTY NUMBER

E1917-A
CONVENTIONAL

2

3

4
.

5

6

7

A

c
LIMITED SLIP

K

L

M

/

/

p
_ —

R
— —

c

—
u

V
RATIO

2.75:1

2.79:1

— 2.80:1

2.83:1

-
3.00:1

3.10:1

—
3.25:1

3.50:1

3.08:1

3.91:1

— 4.30:1

FIG.
1
— Rear Axle Gear Ratio
and
Type Identificationprocarmanuals.com

04-01-03
General Axle Service

04-01-03

Tool-759L 4204-A,

T65K 4204-
A,

T66L-4204-A,

OR

Tool-44211-A

E1897-A

FIG. 3—Limited-Slip Differential Check

Using
a
torque wrench
of at
least

200 ft-lbs capacity, rotate
the
axle

shaft.
Be
sure that
the
transmission
is

in neutral,
one
rear wheel
is on the

floor,
and the
other rear wheel
is

raised
off the
floor.
The
torque
re-

quired
to
continuously rotate
the
shaft

should
be at
least
75
ft-lbs
or 40
ft-lbs

(Traction-Lok).
The
initial breakaway

torque
may
be
higher than
the
contin-

uous turning torque,
but
this
is nor-

mal.
The
axle shaft should turn with

^ven pressure throughout
the
check

without slipping
or
binding.

If
the
torque reading
is
less than

specified, check
the
differential
for

improper assembly.

A vehicle equipped with
a
limited-

slip differential will always have both

wheels driving.
If,
while
the
vehicle
is

being serviced, only
one
wheel
is

raised
off the
floor
and the
rear axle

is driven
by the
engine,
the
wheel
on

the floor will drive
the
vehicle
off the

stand
or
jack.

GEAR TOOTH CONTACT

PATTERN CHECK

When rolling
a
tooth pattern,
use

the special compound (tube) packed

with each service ring gear
and
pinion

set.

Paint
all
gear teeth
and
roll
a pat-

tern
as
described
in
Section
3.
After

diagnosing
the
tooth pattern
as ex-

plained here, make
the
appropriate

adjustments
as
outlined
in
Section
2.

In making
a
final gear tooth
con-

tact pattern check,
it is
necessary
to

recognize
the
fact that there
are
three

different types
of
gear sets, hunting,

non-hunting
and
partial non-hunting.

Each type
is
determined
by the num-
ber
of
teeth
in the
gears.
The non-

hunting
and
partial non-hunting types

can
be
identified
by the
paint timing

marks
on the
pinion
and
ring gear

teeth. (Part 4-2,
Fig. 51).
See
Part
4-5

for complete identification specifica-

tions.

ACCEPTABLE TOOTH

PATTERNS (ALL AXLES)

Figure
4
shows acceptable tooth

patterns
for all
axles.
Any
combina-

tion
of
drive
and
coast patterns will
be

acceptable.

In general, desirable tooth patterns

should have
the
following character-

istics:

1.
The
drive pattern should
be
fair-

ly well centered
on the
tooth.

2.
The
coast pattern should
be
fair-

ly well centered
on the
tooth.

3.
Some clearance between
the pat-

tern
and the top of the
tooth
is
desir-

able.

4.
There should
be no
hard lines

where
the
pressure
is
high.

The individual gear
set
need
not

conform exactly
to the
ideal pattern

to
be
acceptable.

Any combination
of
drive
and
coast

patterns shown
in Fig. 4 are
accep-

table.

Hunting Gear
Set

In
a
hunting-type gear
set, any one

pinion gear tooth comes into contact

with
all
ring gear teeth.
In
this type,

several revolutions
of
the
ring gear
are

required
to
make
all
possible gear

combinations.
Any combination
of
drive
and
coast

patterns shown
in
Fig.
4
will
be
acceep-

table.

Non-Hunting Gear
Set

In
a
non-hunting type gear
set, any

one pinion gear tooth comes into
con-

tact with only
a few
ring gear teeth.

In this type, only
one
revolution
of
the

ring gear
is
required
to
make
all
poss-

ible tooth contact combinations.
Any

combination
of
drive
and
coast
pat-

terns shown
in Fig. 4
will
be
accept-

able.

Partial Non-Hunting

Gear
Set

In
a
partial non-hunting type gear

set,
any one
pinion tooth comes into

contact with only part
of
the
ring gear

teeth,
but
more than
one
revolution
of

the ring gear
is
required
to
make
all

possible gear tooth combinations.
Any

combination
of
drive
and
coast
pat-

terns shown
in Fig. 4
will
be
accept-

able.

SHIM
AND
BACKLASH

CHANGES

Since each gear
set
rolls
a
charac-

teristic pattern,
the
patterns shown
in

Fig.
4 are
considered acceptable
and

should
be
used
as a
guide.
The
drive

pattern
is
rolled
on the
convex side
of

the tooth,
and the
coast pattern
is

rolled
on the
concave side.

The movement
of
tooth contact
pat-

terns with changes
in
shimming
can
be

summarized
as
follows:

Removable Carrier Type Axle

1.
Thicker shim with
the
backlash

set
to
specifications moves
the
pinion

further from
the
ring gear:

2.
Thinner shim with
the
backlash

set
to
specifications moves
the
pinion

closer
to the
ring gear:

If
the
patterns
are not
correct,

make
the
changes
as
indicated.
The

pinion need
not be
disassembled
to

change
a
shim.
All
that
is
required
is

to remove
the
pinion, bearing,
and re-

tainer assembly
and
install
a
different

shim. When reinstalling
the
pinion

and retainer assembly
of a
non-
hunt-

ing
or
partial non-hunting gear
set, be

sure that
the
marked tooth
on the pi-

nion indexes between
the
marked teeth

on
the
ring gear
(Fig.
51,
Part
4-2).

Refer
to
Pinion
and
Ring Gear Tooth

Contact Adjustment, Section
2.procarmanuals.com

04-01-05

General Axle Service

04-01-05

Integral Carrier Type Axle

1.
Thinner shim with
the
backlash

set
to
specifications moves
the
pinion

farther from
the
ring gear.

2.
Thicker shim with
the
backlash

set
to
specifications moves
the
pinion

closer
to the
ring gear.

If
the
patterns
are not
correct,

make
the
changes
as
indicated.
The

differential case
and
drive pinion will

have
to be
removed from
the
carrier

casting
to
change
a
shim. When
re-

installing
the
pinion
and
ring gear
of a

non-hunting
or
partial non-hunting

gear
set, be
sure that
the
marked

tooth
on the
pinion indexes between

the marked teeth
on the
ring gear

(Fig.
51,
Part
4-2).
Refer
to
Pinion

and Ring Gear Tooth Contact Adjust-

ment, Section
2.

REAR AXLE COMPANION

FLANGE RUNOUT CHECK

ALL AXLES EXCEPT

THUNDERBIRD
AND

CONTINENTAL MARK
III

1.
Raise
the
vehicle
on a
hoist that

supports
the
rear axle (twin-post

hoist).

2.
Remove
the
driveshaft assembly

(Group
5).

3.
Check
the
companion flange

damage
to the
universal joint bearing

locating lugs.
If the
universal joint

bearing locating lugs
on the
compan-

ion flange
are
shaved (worn)
or dam-

aged, replace
the
companion flange

(Fig.
5).

PROPERLY SEATED
CUP SHAVES LUG

E 1621-A

FIG. 5—Checking Companion

Flange

4.
The
rear axle companion flange

runout
is
checked with
a
modified uni-

versal joint (checking tool)
a
dial indi-

cator with
1.000
inch minimum travel,
and
a
cup-shaped dial indicator adapt-

er tool
(Fig. 6). To
fabricate
the

checking tool, modify
a
universal joint

assembly
by
removing
two
bearing

cups that are opposite each other, and

cuttting
or
grinding
off
one
of
the uni-

versal joint bearing flanges (Fig. 6).

5.
Install
the
cup-shaped adapter
on

the dial indicator stem. Install
the
dial

indicator
on the
pinion retainer
or pi-

nion nose bumper bracket. Position

the indicator
to
allow
an
indication
at

the ends
of the
universal joint bearing

cups
and the
remaining exposed jour-

nal
of the
cross-shaft.

6. Turn
the
companion flange
so

that
the
dial indicator cup-type adapt-

er rests
on the
machined surface
of

the bearing
cup (Fig. 6).
Rotate
the

companion flange side-to-side slightly

to obtain
a
reading indicating that
the

bearing
cup
surface
is
perpendicular
to

the indicator cup-type adapter. This

will
be the
point
at
which
the
dial
in-

dicator
cup is
closest
to the
center
of

companion flange rotation.
It is
also

the point
at
which
the
dial indicator

hand will reverse direction
as
the com-

panion flange
is
turning.
Set the
dial

indicator
to
zero.

oo/-6565,
Used

'With Bracket From

Too!-4201-C

MOUNT HERE

Tool-4201-C

E
1622-
A

FIG. 6—Flange Bearing
Cup

Run-out Check—Typical
7.
Carefully retract
the
dial indica-

tor stem
and
rotate
the
companion

flange 180 degrees
to
position
the ma-

chined surface
of the
opposite univer-

sal bearing under
the
dial indicator

adapter tool. Again, slightly rotate
the

flange side-to-side
to
position
the

bearing perpendicular
to the
dial indi-

cator adapter. Again, this
is the
point

at which
the
indicator hand will
rev-

erse direction
as the
flange
is
rotated.

Record
the
flange bearing
cup
runout

reading obtained from
the
indicator

(Fig.
7).

Rotate
the
companion flange
90

degrees
and
position
the
dial indicator

adapter
on the
machined
end of the

exposed journal
(Fig. 8). Be
sure
the

end surface
of the
exposed journal
is

perpendicular
to the
indicator
cup-

type adapter. This requires that
the

cross-shaft
be
moved fore
and aft on

the flange bearing cups. Note
the

point
at
which
the
indicator hand rev-

erses direction. Rotate
the
flange
as-

sembly side-to-side until
the
cross-

shaft
is
perpendicular
to the
pinion

shaft axis,
and the
indicator hand
re-

verses direction. Zero the dial indicator

and check the zero point again by

Tool-6565, Used

With Bracket
Fro

Tool-4201 -C
MOUNT HERE —

Too/-4207-C

E 1624-A

FIG. 8—Cross Shaft Runout

Check—Typical

INDICATOR

READING

1

2

3

Average
FLANGE

BEARING CUP

RUNOUT—INCH

0.C04

0.002

0.003

0.003
DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL

CROSS-SHAFT

RUNOUT—INCH

0.005

0.004

0.003

0.004

FIG. 7—Flange Bearing
Cup and
Cross Shaft Runout Averaging

Chart—Typical Readingsprocarmanuals.com

04-01-07
General Axle Service

04-01-07

Tool-4201-
C

Tool-6565 USED WITH BRACKET

FROM Too/^*207-C

FLANGE

E1743-A
procedure under Backlash and Differ-

ential Bearing Preload Adjustments.

If the tooth pattern indicates a change

in shim thickness, follow the proce-

dure under Pinion Location.

REMOVABLE CARRIER

TYPE AXLE

The shim location for the removable

carrier type axle is between the pinion

retainer and the carrier (Fig. 13).

When adjusting this type carrier re-

ducing shim thickness will move the

pinion toward the ring gear; increas-

ing shim thickness will move the pi-

nion away from the ring gear (Fig.

13).

FIG. 11—Checking Companion Flange Lateral Runout—

Thunderbird and Continental Mark III
INTEGRAL CARRIER

TYPE AXLE

8. If the runout is still excessive, re-

place the companion flange and check

the runout. If necessary, rotate the

new flange on the pinion shaft until an

acceptable runout is obtained.

If excessive runout is still evident

after replacement of the companion

flange, it will be necessary to replace

the ring and pinion gear, and repeat

the above checks until runout is within

specifications.

9. Install the driveshaft assembly

(Group 5).

PINION LOCATION

ADJUSTMENT

BACKLASH

ADJUSTMENT,

LEFT

ADJUSTING

NUT

E1476-A

FIG. 12—Pinion and Ring Gear

Tooth Contact Adjustment
—

Integral Carrier Type Axles
PINION AND RING GEAR

TOOTH CONTACT

ADJUSTMENT

Two separate adjustments affect pin-

ion and ring gear tooth contact.

They are pinion location and backlash

(Figs.
12 and 13).

Individual differences in matching

the differential housing and the gear

set require the use of shims to locate

the pinion for correct contact with the

ring gear.

When adjusting either type axle,

shim thickness should be increased or

reduced only as indicated by the tooth

pattern check described in the fore-

going Section 1.

If the tooth pattern check indicates

a change in backlash only, follow the

PINION

LOCATION

ADJUSTMENT

SHIMS

LEFT

ADJUSTING

NUT
RIGHT

ADJUSTING

BACKLASH NUT

ADJUSTMENT El 409-A

FIG. 13—Pinion and Ring Gear

Tooth Contact Adjustment—

Removable Carrier Axles
The shim location for the integral

carrier type axle, is between the pi-

nion gear and the pinion rear bearing

cone (Fig. 12). When adjusting this

type axle, increasing shim thickness

moves the pinion toward the ring

gear; reducing shim thickness moves

the pinion away from the ring gear

(Fig. 12).

BACKLASH AND DIFFERENTIAL

BEARING PRELOAD

ADJUSTMENTS (ALL AXLES)

On a Light-Duty (WER) Axle, it is

necessary to remove the rear axle

shafts prior to performing the adjust-

ment procedures. Refer to Rear Axle

Shaft Wheel Bearing and Oil Seal Re-

placement—Light-Duty (WER), Axle,

Part 4-4, Section 2.

To secure a more uniform control

of differential side bearing preload in

service repairs, a dial indicator set-up

such as shown in Fig. 12 is used.

In both types of axle (Fig. 11 and

12),
the ring gear is moved away from

or toward the pinion as described in

the following procedure.

1.
Remove the adjusting nut locks,

loosen the differential bearing cap

bolts,
then torque the bolts to 15 ft-lbs

on integral carrier type axle; 20 ft-lbs

on removable carrier type axles before

making adjustments.

2.
The left adjusting nut is on the

ring gear side of the carrier. The right

nut is on the pinion side. Loosen the

right nut until it is away from the cup.

Tighten the left nut until the ring gear

is just forced into the pinion with

0.000 backlash then rotate the pinion

several revolutions to be sure no bind-

ing is evident. (Recheck the right nutprocarmanuals.com

04-01-08
General Axle Service

04 01-08

Too/-T57L-4067-A

E 1595-A

FIG.
14
—Adjusting Side Bearing Preload—Typical

at this time to be sure that it is still

loose.) Tightening the left nut moves

the ring gear into the pinion to de-

crease backlash, and tightening the

right nut moves the ring gear away.

3.
Install a dial indicator as shown

in Fig. 14.

4.
Tighten the right nut until it first

contacts the bearing cup. Then pre-

load the bearings from 0.008-0.012

inch case spread. Rotate the pinion

gear several revolutions in each direc-

tion while the bearings are loaded, to

seat the bearings in their cups to be

sure no bind is evident. This step is

important.

5. Again loosen the right nut to re-

lease the pre-load. If there is any

backlash between the gears as shown

by the dial indicator,(Fig.l2 or Fig. 10

Part 4-4) tighten the left nut just en-

ough to remove this backlash. At this

time,
make sure that one of the slots

in the left nut is so located that the

lock can be installed without turning

the nut. Carefully, tighten the right

nut until it just contacts the cup.

6. Torque the differential cap bolts

to specification.

On integral carrier type axles, set a

preload of 0.008 to 0.012 inch case

spread for new bearings and 0.003 to

0.005 for the original bearings.

On removable carrier type axles,

the preload is 0.008 to 0.012 inch case

spread for new bearings and 0.005 to

0.008 for the original bearings. As

preload is applied from the right side,

the ring gear is forced away from the

pinion and usually results in the cor-

rect backlash.

7.
Measure the backlash on several

teeth around the ring gear. If the

measurements vary more than 0.003

inch (both integral and removable car-

rier) there is excessive runout in the
gears or their mountings, which must

be corrected to obtain a satisfactory

unit. If the backlash is out of specifi-

cation, loosen one adjusting nut and

tighten the oposite nut an equal a-

mount to move the ring gear away

from or toward the pinion. When

moving the adjusting nuts, the final

movement should always be made in a

tightening direction. For example, if

the left nut had to be loosened one

notch, loosen the nut two notches,

then tighten it one. This insures that

the nut is contacting the bearing cup,

and that the cup cannot shift after

being put in service. After all such ad-

justments, check to be sure that the

case spread remains as specified for

the new or original bearings used.

8. Again check the tooth contact

pattern. If the pattern is still incor-

rect, a change in pinion location (shim

thickness) is indicated.

PINION LOCATION

Removable Carrier Type Axle

1.
Remove the attaching bolts and

the pinion and bearing retainer assem-

bly from the carrier.

2.
Measure the original shim thick-

ness with a micrometer. Increase or

decrease the shim thickness as indicat-

ed by the tooth pattern check des-

cribed in Section 1.

3.
Replace the pinion retainer O-

ring (Fig. 39, Part 4-2). Coat the O-

ring with axle lubricant before install-

ing. Do not roll the O-ring into the

groove. Snap it into position.

4.
Being careful not to pinch the

O-ring, install the pinion and bearing

retainer assembly in the carrier with

the corrected shim pack.

Before installing the pinion and

bearing retainer assembly, determine

which type of gear set is being used.
The non-hunting and pantial non-

hunting types can be identified by the

paint timing marks on the gear teeth

(Fig. 51, Part 4-2). Part 4-5 can also

be referred to for identification.

If the gear set is of the non-hunting

or partial non-hunting type clean the

teeth on both the pinion and drive

gear so that the timing marks are vis-

ible.
Rotate the differential case and

ring gear assembly in the carrier until

the marked teeth on the ring gear are

opposite the pinion entry hole. Place

the assembly in the carrier so that the

marked tooth on the pinion indexes

between the marked teeth on the ring

gear (Fig. 51, Part 4-2).

In almost every case of improper

assembly (gear assembled out of time)

the noise level and probability of fai-

lure will be higher than they would be

with properly assembled gears.

When installing the hunting type

gear set (no timing marks), assemble

the pinion and retainer assembly into

the carrier without regard to the

matching on any particular gear teeth.

5.
Install the retainer-to-carrier

mounting bolts and torque to specifi-

cations.

6. Adjust the backlash between the

ring gear and pinion as outlined in the

foregoing procedures.

7.
Make a tooth pattern check. If

the pattern is still unsatisfactory, re-

peat this procedure changing the shim

thickness each time until a satisfactory

tooth pattern is obtained.

Integral Carrier Type Axle

1.
Remove the differential case and

the drive pinion from the carrier cast-

ing, and then remove the pinion bear-

ings as described under Removal of

Differential Case and Drive Pinion in

Section 4.

2.
Measure the original shim thick-

ness with a micrometer. Increase or

decrease the shim thickness as indicat-

ed by the tooth pattern check des-

cribed in the foregoing Section 1 and

shown in Fig. 4.

3.
Install the corrected shim pack

and the bearings on the pinion, and

then install the pinion and the differ-

ential case in the carrier casting as

outlined under Installation of Drive

Pinion and Differential Case in Sec-

tion 4 of Part 4-3.

4.
Adjust the backlash between the

ring gear and pinion as outlined in the

foregoing procedure.

5.
Make a tooth pattern check. If

the pattern is still unsatisfactory, re-

peat this procedure changing the shim

thickness each time until a satisfactory

tooth pattern is obtained.procarmanuals.com

04-01-09
General Axle Service

04-01-09

CLEANING AND INSPECTION

INSPECTION BEFORE

DISASSEMBLY OF CARRIER

(ALL AXLES)

The differential case or carrier

should be inspected before any parts

are removed from it. These inspec-

tions can help to find the cause of the

trouble and to determine the correc-

tions needed.

Mount the carrier in the holding

fixture shown in Fig. 15. Wipe the lu-

bricant from the internal working

parts,
and visually inspect the parts

for wear or damage.

Tool-T57L-500-A

FIG. 15
— Bench
Fixture for

Carrier Overhaul—Typical

Rotate the gears to see if there is

any roughness which would indicate

damaged bearings or chipped gears.

Check the gear teeth for scoring or

signs of abnormal wear.

Set up a dial indicator (Fig. 16) and

check the backlash at several points

around the ring gear. Backlash should

be within specifications.
If no obvious defect is noted, check

the gear tooth contact.

To check the gear tooth contact,

paint the gear teeth with the special

compound furnished with each service

ring gear and pinion. A mixture that

is too wet will run and smear. Too dry

a mixture cannot be pressed out from

between the teeth.

As shown in Fig. 17, rotate the ring

gear (use a box wrench on the ring

gear attaching bolts for a lever) five

complete revolutions in both directions

or until a clear tooth contact pattern

is obtained.
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING

CAP BOLTS

E 1776-A

FIG. 76-Backlash Check-

Typical
E
1001 - C

FIG.
7
7—Checking Gear Tooth

Contact—Typical

Certain types of gear tooth contact

patterns on the ring gear indicate in-

correct adjustment. Noise caused by

incorrect adjustment can often be cor-

rected by readjusting the gears. Ac-

ceptable patterns and the necessary

corrections are explained under Tooth

Contact Pattern Check in Section I.

Gear tooth runout can sometimes

be detected by an erratic pattern on

the teeth. However, a dial indicator

should be used to measure the runout

of the back face of the ring gear as

shown in Fig. 18. If this runout ex-

ceeds specifications, disassemble the

carrier and replace necessary parts as

indicated in Part 4-2, Section 4 and

Part 4-3, Section 4.
1699-A

FIG. 18 -Checking Ring Gear

Runout—Typical

Loosen the differential bearing cap

bolts,
and then torque them to 25 ft-

lbs.
Remove the adjusting nut locks.

Carefully loosen one of the adjusting

nuts to determine if any differential

bearing preload remains. If any pre-

load remains, the differential bearings

may be re-used, provided they are not

pitted or damaged.

INSPECTION AFTER

DISASSEMBLY OF CARRIER

(ALL AXLES)

Thoroughly clean all parts. Syn-

thetic seals must not he cleaned, soak-

ed or washed in cleaning solvents.

Always use clean solvent when clean-

ing hearings. Oil the bearings im-

mediately after cleaning to prevent rust-

ing. Inspect the parts for defects.

Clean the inside of the carrier before

rebuilding it. When a scored gear set

is replaced, the axle housing should he

washed thoroughly and steam cleaned.

This can onl\ be done effectively if the

axle shafts and shaft seals are re-

moved from the housing. Inspect indi-

vidual parts as outlined below.

GEARS

Examine the pinion and ring gear

teeth for scoring or excessive wear.

Extreme care must he taken not to

damage the pilot hearing surface of

the pinion.procarmanuals.com

04-01-10
General Axle Service

04-01-10

The pattern taken during disassem-

bly should be helpful in judging if

gears can be re-used. Worn gears can-

not be rebuilt to correct a noisy condi-

tion. Gear scoring is the result of ex-

cessive shock loading or the use of an

incorrect lubricant. Scored gears can-

not be re-used.

Examine the teeth and thrust surfa-

ces of the differential gears. Wear on

the hub of the differential gear can

cause a chucking noise known as

chuckle when the vehicle is driven at

low speeds. Wear of splines, thrust

surfaces, or thrust washers, can con-

tribute to excessive drive line back-

lash.

BEARING CUPS AND

CONE AND ROLLER

ASSEMBLIES

Check bearing cups for rings,

scores, galling, or excessively worn

wear patterns. Pinion cups must be

solidly seated. Check by attempting to

insert a 0.0015-inch feeler between

these cups and the bottoms of their

bores.

When operated in the cups, cone

and roller assemblies must turn with-

out roughness. Examine the roller

ends for wear. Step-wear on the roller

ends indicates the bearings were not

preloaded properly, or the rollers were

slightly misaligned.

If inspection reveals either a defec-

tive cup or a defective cone and roller

assembly, both parts should be re-

placed to avoid early failure.

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING

ADJUSTING NUTS

Temporarily install the bearing caps

and test the fit of the adjusting nuts in

their threads. The nuts should turn

easily when the caps are tightened to

25 ft-lbs. The faces of the nuts that

contact the bearing cups must be

smooth and square. Replace the nuts

or examine the threads in the carrier
if their fit is not proper. Be sure that

the bearing caps and adjusting nuts

are on the side they were machined to

fit. Observe the punch marks and

scribe marks made during disassem-

bly.

U-JOINT FLANGE

Be sure that the eai» of the flange

have not been damaged in removing

the drive shaft or in removing the

flange from the axle. The end of the

flange that contacts the front pinion

bearing inner race as well as the flat

surface of the pinion nut counterbore

must be smooth. Polish these surfaces

if necessary. Roughness aggravates

backlash noises and causes wear of

the flange and pinion nut with a resul-

tant loss in pinion bearing preload.

PINION RETAINER

Be sure that the pinion bearing cups

are seated. Remove any chips or burrs

from the mounting flange. Clean the

groove for the O-ring seal and all lu-

bricant passages. If the cups were re-

moved, examine the bores carefully.

Any nicks or burrs in these bores

must be removed to permit proper

seating of the cups.

CARRIER HOUSING

Make sure that the differential

bearing bores are smooth and the

threads are not damaged. Remove any

nicks or burrs from the mounting sur-

faces of the carrier housing.

DIFFERENTIAL CASE

Make sure that the hubs where the

bearings mount are smooth. Carefully

examine the differential case bearing

shoulders, which may have been dam-

aged when the bearings were removed.

The bearing assemblies will fail if they

do not seat firmly against the shoul-

ders.
Check the fit (free rotation) of
the differential side gears in their

counterbores. Be sure that the mating

surfaces of the two parts of the case

are smooth and free from nicks or

burrs.

LIMITED SLIP AND

TRACTION-LOK

DIFFERENTIAL PARTS

Inspect the clutch plates for uneven

or extreme wear. The dog-eared clutch

plates must be free from burrs, nicks

or scratches which could cause excess-

ive or erratic wear to the bonding ma-

terial of the internally splined clutch

plates.
The internally splined clutch

plates should be inspected for condi-

tion of the bond, bonding material,

and wear. Replace the bonded plates

if their thickness is less than 0.085

inch or if the bonded material is

scored or badly worn. Inspect the

bonded plate internal teeth for wear.

Replace them, if excessive wear is evi-

dent. Bonded plates should be re-

placed as a set only

Examine all thrust surfaces and

hubs for wear. Abnormal wear on

these surfaces can contribute to a

noisy axle.

Inspect the Belleville spring (limited

slip) for proper free height of 1/4

inch.

LUBRICANT LEVEL

The lubricant level should be

checked every 6000 miles with the ve-

hicle in normal curb attitude. The lu-

bricant level should be at the lower

edge of the filler plug hole located in

either the carrier casting or housing

cover. It is unnecessary to periodically

drain the axle lubricant. The factory

fill should remain in the housing for

the life of the vehicle, except when re-

pairs are made. The specified lubri-

cant should be installed when the axle

is overhauled.procarmanuals.com

04-02-01

Rear Axle
—
Removable Carrier Type

04-02-01

PART
4-2
Rear Axle—Removable Carrier Type

COMPONENT INDEX

AXLE HOUSING (Coil Spring Suspension)

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

AXLE HOUSING (Leaf Spring Suspension)

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

AXLE SHAFT

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

CONVENTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL

Cleaning and Inspection

Disassembly and Overhaul

Removal and Installation

DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS AND RING

GEAR

Adjustment

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER

Cleaning and Inspection

Disassembly and Overhaul

Removal and Installation

LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

Cleaning and Inspection

Description

Disassembly and Overhaul

Removal and Installation

PILOT BEARING

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

PINION AND RING GEAR

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

PINION BEARING

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

PINION BEARING RETAINER

Cleaning and Inspection

Removal and Installation

PINION SPACER (Collapsible)

Removal and Installation

PINION OIL SEAL

Removal and Installation
MODEL APPLICATION
All
Models

01-10

02-04

01-10

02-13

02-08

02-19

01-10

02-19

01-10

02-13

02-08

01-10

02-03

02-13

02-13

01-10

02-15

01-10

02-15

01-10

02-15

01-10

02-15

02-04
J

01-09

02-08

N/A

N/A

02-17
Mercury
01-09

02-08

N/A

N/A

N/A
Meteor
01-09

02-08

N/A

N/A

02-17
Cougar
N/A

N/A

01-09

02-11

02-17
Fairlane
N/A

N/A

01-09

02-11

02-17
Falcon
N/A

N/A

01-09

02-11

02-17
Montego
N/A

N/A

01-09

02-11

02-17
Mustang
N/A

N/A

01-09

02-11

02-17
Lincoln-
Continental
N/A

N/A

01-09

02-11

N/A
Thunderbird
01-09

02-08

N/A

N/A

N/A
Continental-
Mark
III
01-09

02-08

N/A

N/A

N/A

A page number indicates that the item is
for
the vehicle listed
at
the head
of
the column.

N/A indicates that the item is not applicable
to
the vehicle listed.
procarmanuals.com