Econoline E350 1 Ton V8-5.4L Prop SOHC VIN Z (1998)
14. Use a rawhide hammer to seat the differential into the pocket of the rear axle differential carrier.
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Remove the spreader from the rear axle differential carrier.
15. Install the differential bearing retaining caps, aligning the letters stamped on the bearing retaining caps with those on the rear axle differential
carrier. Tighten the bolts of the rear axle bearing retaining caps to specification.
NOTE: Mating letters are stamped on the rear axle bearing retaining caps and the rear axle differential carrier. Matching letters is important at the
time of assembly. Letters are in vertical and horizontal positions.
16. Check the differential ring gear and pinion backlash at three equally spaced points, with a suitable dial indicator.
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Backlash tolerance is 0.13-0.203 mm (0.005-0.008 inch) and cannot vary more than 0.05 mm (0.002 inch) between points checked.
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High backlash is corrected by moving ring gear away from the pinion.
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These corrections are made by switching differential bearing shims from one side of the differential case to the other.
17. To confirm total preload, recheck the torque to rotate with an inch-pound wrench. The reading should be higher than the initial reading (taken
without the differential case installed) by the amount shown for the axle ratios given, if new bearings have been installed as recommended.
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If the total preload is too high, remove an equal amount of differential bearing shims from each differential case hub. If the total preload is too
low, add an equal amount of differential bearing shims to each differential case hub.
