F 250 4WD Super Duty V8-7.3L DSL Turbo VIN F (2001)
21. CAUTION: Do not damage the pinion, the bearings, the seal, or the cup.
Insert the pinion into the differential housing, and seat the inner bearing into the bearing cup.
22. CAUTION: Never use a metal hammer on the pinion flange or install the flange with power tools. If necessary, use a plastic hammer to tap on a
tight pinion flange while holding the backside of the drive pinion.
NOTE: If reusing the original pinion and flange, align the index marks made during disassembly.
Lightly coat the flange splines and seal mating area with SAE 8OW-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant XY-80W90-QL or equivalent meeting Ford
specification WSP-M2C197-A, and install the flange with a new washer and nut.
23. CAUTION: Never back off the pinion nut to reduce preload. If preload reduction is necessary, install a new collapsible spacer and pinion nut.
Tighten the nut.
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Use the special tool to prevent the flange from turning while tightening the nut. Remove the special tool when taking pinion bearing torque
preload readings.
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Rotate the pinion occasionally to verify that the bearings are seating correctly.
