Axle Assembly

Axle Assembly









Removal and Installation

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

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

2. Remove the wheels and tires.

3. NOTICE: Do not allow the caliper and anchor plate assembly to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.

Remove the 2 brake caliper anchor plate bolts and position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.
- Support the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly using mechanic's wire.

- To install, tighten to 225 Nm (166 lb-ft).


4. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake. Repeat for the opposite side. Position the cables aside.





5. Disconnect the axle vent tube.





6. Disconnect the axle vent.
- To install, tighten to 3 Nm (27 lb-in).






7. Remove the brake tube bracket bolt.
- To install, tighten to 18 Nm (159 lb-in).






8. Remove the park brake cable retainer bolt.
- To install, tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).






9. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor harness clips.

10. Remove the rear wheel speed sensor bolt, and position the sensor and spacer aside.
- To install, tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).


11. Position the brake tube, harness and cable aside.





12. To maintain driveline balance, index-mark the driveshaft flange yoke and the pinion flange.





13. Remove the 4 driveshaft flange yoke bolts.
- To install, tighten to 112 Nm (83 lb-ft).






14. NOTE: The driveshaft flange yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange yoke. Never hammer on the driveshaft or any of its components to disconnect the yoke from the flange. Pry only in the area shown, with a suitable tool, to disconnect the yoke from the flange.

Using a suitable tool as shown, disconnect the driveshaft flange yoke from the pinion flange and support the driveshaft using mechanic's wire.






15. Use a suitable transmission jack to support the axle.





16. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower nuts and bolts.
- To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).






17. NOTE: When installing new U-bolts, the measurement between A and B should be 107 mm (4.21 in)± 3 mm (0.12 in) for E150/E250/E350 vehicles and 112 mm (4.41 in)± 3 mm (0.12 in) for E450 vehicles. This is important for providing the correct U-bolt clamp load and retention of parts.
Remove and discard the 8 nuts and the 4 axle U-bolts.

- To install, tighten until snug. Tighten the U-bolt nuts evenly in an X-type pattern in 5 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft).

- Stage 2: Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).

- Stage 3: Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

- Stage 4: Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

- Stage 5: Tighten to 225 Nm (166 lb-ft).











18. NOTE: Watch for obstructions while lowering and raising the axle.

Lower the axle from the vehicle.


19. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
- Install new fasteners where discarded.