Axle Housing: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Marauder, 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, and 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Use additional support straps to secure the rear axle to the High-Lift Transmission Jack.

Raise the rear axle into position, using a High-Lift Transmission Jack.
- Seat the air springs.
  
  Fig 1: Seating Air Springs
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the bolts and nuts.

Fig 2: Installing Bolts And Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the shock absorbers.
- Position the shock absorbers into the retainer brackets, and tighten the nuts and bolts.
  
  Fig 3: Installing Shock Absorbers
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the High-Lift Transmission Jack.
Install the Watts linkage on the rear axle housing.
- Install the retainer nut on the bellcrank stud and tighten.
  
  Fig 4: Installing Watts Linkage On Rear Axle Housing
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped with rear air springs, install the height sensor.

Fig 5: Installing Height Sensor
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the rear stabilizer bar retainer bolts and tighten.

Fig 6: Installing Rear Stabilizer Bar Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the rear stabilizer bar link and bushing retainer nuts and tighten.

Fig 7: Installing Rear Stabilizer Bar Link And Bushing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the anti-lock brake sensors. For additional information, refer to ANTI-LOCK CONTROL - TRACTION CONTROL .

Fig 8: Installing Anti-Lock Brake Sensors
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the parking brake rear cable and conduit into the parking brake cable equalizer. For additional information, refer to PARKING BRAKE AND ACTUATION .

NOTE: Align the index marks on the transmission extension housing, transmission output shaft and the driveshaft slip yoke.

NOTE: Do not rotate the driveshaft when positioning the slip yoke on the transmission output shaft.

Fig 9: Installing Driveshaft Slip Yoke On Transmission Output Shaft

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the driveshaft slip yoke on the transmission output shaft.
Position the rear driveshaft and align the marks on the pinion flange.

Fig 10: Positioning Rear Driveshaft And Align Marks On Pinion Flange
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern as shown.

Fig 11: Installing Driveshaft Retainer Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the four driveshaft retainer bolts.
Install the axle shafts. For additional information, refer to AXLE SHAFT .
Lower the vehicle.
If equipped with rear air springs, turn on the air suspension switch.