Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Differential Case Runout Check
For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations, refer to OEM COLOR CODING .
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment
| Dial Indicator |
|---|
| Hydraulic Press |
| Punch |
| Copper Hammer |
Check
- Remove the differential. REFER to: Differential Carrier .
- Remove and discard the ring gear bolts.
- Using the brass punch and a soft face hammer, remove the ring gear.
Use the General Equipment: PunchUse the General Equipment: Copper Hammer
- Install the differential bearing caps and bolts. Align the differential bearing caps in there original location.
Torque: 80 lb.ft (108 Nm)
- Rotate the differential carrier to make sure the bearings have seated correctly.
- Using the dial indicator, rotate the differential carrier and measure the differential carrier runout.
- If the runout does not exceed the specification, install a new ring gear and pinion.
Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
- If runout exceeds the specification, the ring gear is true and the condition is due to differential carrier/differential bearing damage.
- Inspect the differential bearings and the differential carrier. Always install new differential bearings when installing a new differential carrier, or if a bearing condition is questionable.
- If the runout does not exceed the specification, install a new ring gear and pinion.
- Remove the differential bearing caps, bolts and the differential carrier.
- Install the ring gear onto the differential carrier. Align the ring gear using 3 new bolts. Using the general equipment: press the ring gear into place.
Use the General Equipment: Hydraulic Press
- Install the remaining new ring gear bolts.
Torque: 159 lb.ft (215 Nm)
- Install the differential carrier. REFER to: Differential Carrier .
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.