To remove the Ford 10.25 inch, 8.8 inch, and Dana (ball bearing type) axle, first raise the rear of the vehicle and secure it on jackstands, then remove the wheel(s). Release the parking brake and take off the brake drum(s), followed by draining the rear axle lubricant into a suitable container by removing the rear axle housing cover and discarding the gasket if still in place. Next, remove the differential pinion shaft lockpin, ensuring to use a large screwdriver to prevent the differential case from turning. Be aware that some Dana semi-floating axles may have lockpins treated with Loctite or with torque-prevailing threads; the former cannot be reused, while the latter can be reused up to four times. Lift out the differential pinion shaft to access the axleshaft C-locks, then push the flanged end of the axleshaft toward the center of the vehicle to remove the C-lock, taking care not to lose or damage the rubber O-ring. Pull the axleshaft from the housing without damaging the oil seals. For installation, reverse the removal procedure, ensuring not to damage the axle seal during the axleshaft reinstallation. Apply a thread locking compound to a new pinion shaft lockpin and tighten it to the specified torque. Most axle housing covers use RTV sealant instead of a gasket; clean the machined surfaces before applying a continuous bead of sealant and install the cover within 15 minutes, tightening the bolts in a criss-cross pattern to the specified torque. After reinstalling the brake drum(s) and wheel(s), fill the rear axle with lubricant, remove the jackstands, lower the vehicle, and check for leaks during a test drive. For the early model Ford 9.0 inch axle assembly (tapered bearing type), follow the initial steps to remove the wheel(s) and loosen the axleshaft retaining nuts using a socket and extension through the outer axle flange. Remove the axleshaft by pulling on the flange, using the wheel assembly for leverage if necessary, while ensuring not to damage the seal, which should be replaced whenever an axle is removed. Secure the Brake Dust Shield to the housing with one nut during the process. For installation, reverse the removal steps, using a new gasket between the Brake Dust Shield and axle housing flange, and tighten the axleshaft retaining nuts to the specified torque. Finally, install the wheel(s), check the differential lubricant level, fill if necessary, lower the vehicle, and test drive while checking for fluid leaks.
