Questions and Answers

Ford Ranger Rear Axle Seals Q. Can you give me any tips on how I can replace my rear axle seals on my 1994 Ford Ranger? When removing the axle's do I need to remove the transfer case to remove the "C" clip and bolt to remove the axle's? If possible could you send me step by step instructions I would need to follow to replace the seals? Thank you, Dale Fargo, ND

A. You don't need to remove the transfer case to replace the axle seals. But I would suggest replacing the axle bearings while the axles are out. A machine shop can do the replacement quickly and easily for a few dollars.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION:

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheels and brake drums.
3. Drain rear axle lubricant by removing housing cover.
4. Remove axle shafts as follows:
   1. Remove pinion shaft lock bolt, place hand behind differential case and push out on pinion shaft until the stop on the shaft contacts the ring gear
   2. Remove U-washers from axle shafts.
   3. Carefully slide shafts out of housing.

5. Remove seal and bearing using a suitable hook-type puller.
6. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
   1. Apply suitable grease between lips of axle shaft seal.
   2. Install bearing using axle tube bearing replacer tool No. T78P-1225-A, and install seal and using axle tube seal replacer tool No. T78P-1177-A or equivalents.
   3. Tighten differential pinion shaft lock bolt to 15-30 foot pounds. Housing cover bolts to 25-35 foot pounds. Housing cover ratio tag bolt to 15-24 foot pounds.
   4. Add rear axle lubricant EOAZ-19580-AA or equivalent until it is 6-14 mm (1/4 - 9/16 inch) below the fill hole. Add 4oz. of friction modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent for Traction-Lock(r) rear axle assemblies.

NOTE: Whenever a plastic axle housing cover is removed, it must be replaced with a new cover and bolts. On plastic axle housing covers torque bolts to 15-20 foot pounds.

Do not turn the pinion When the axle shafts are out since the pinion gears will fall out.