Ford F-150 Differential Assembly - Pinion Flange Service and Repair
3. With the drive pinion in place in the rear axle housing, install the pinion flange using the special tool.
4. Position the new pinion nut.
5. CAUTION: Under no circumstances is the pinion nut to be backed off to reduce preload. If reduced preload is required, a new collapsible spacer
and pinion nut must be installed.
CAUTION: Remove the special tool while taking preload readings with the Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench.
Using the special tool hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut.
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Rotate the pinion occasionally to make sure the cone and roller bearings are seating correctly.
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Install a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench on the pinion nut.
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Rotating the pinion through several revolutions, take frequent cone and roller bearing torque preload readings until the original recorded
preload reading is obtained.
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If the original recorded preload is lower than specifications, tighten to the appropriate specifications for used bearings. If the preload is higher
than specification, tighten the nut to the original reading as recorded.
