Ford F150 Pickup. Manual - part 552

Fig. 4: Exploded View Of Rear Drive Axle/Differential 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 5: Identifying Rear Drive Axle/Differential Components (1 Of 2) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 6: Identifying Rear Drive Axle/Differential Components (2 Of 2) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

The rear axle assembly has the following features:  

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An integral-type housing hypoid gear design (center of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring 
gear).  

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The hypoid ring gear and pinion consists of a ring gear and an overhung drive pinion which is supported 
by two opposed tapered roller bearings.  

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Pinion bearing preload is maintained by a collapsible spacer on the differential pinion shaft and adjusted 
by the pinion nut.  

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The rear axle housing consists of a cast center section with two steel tube assemblies and a stamped 
differential housing cover.  

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear - F150 Pickup

  

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The differential housing cover uses silicone sealant as a gasket.  

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The differential pinion shaft is retained by a threaded differential pinion shaft lock bolt assembled to the 
differential case.  

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The differential case is mounted in the rear axle housing between two opposing differential bearings that 
are retained in the rear axle housing by removable bearing caps.  

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SAE 75W-140 High Performance Rear Axle Lubricant F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent meeting Ford 
specification WSL-M2C192-A is used in this assembly.  

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Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash are adjusted by differential bearing shims located 
between the differential bearing cups and the rear axle housing.  

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Rear axle identification is on an embossed metal tag bolted to the differential housing cover. For 
additional information, refer to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .  

DIAGNOSIS & TESTING 

REAR DRIVE AXLE & DIFFERENTIAL 

Refer to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION . 

IN-VEHICLE REPAIR 

AXLE SHAFT 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear - F150 Pickup