SECTION 205-02: Rear Drive Axle/Differential — Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear
2014 Mustang Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Procedure revision date: 01/07/2013

Axle Housing


Material
Item Specification
Additive Friction Modifier
XL-3 (US); CXL-3 (Canada) 		EST-M2C118-A
Motorcraft® SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant
XY-75W140-QL (US); CXY-75W140-1L (Canada) 		WSL-M2C192-A and GL-5
Motorcraft® SAE 75W-85 Premium Synthetic Hypoid Gear Lubricant
XY-75W85-QL 		WSS-M2C942-A


Item Part Number Description
1 — Shock absorber lower bolts (part of service kit 18008) (2 required)
2 — Shock absorber lower flag nuts (part of service kit 18008) (2 required)
3 W704888 Lower arm bolts (2 required)
4 W704991 Lower arm nuts (2 required)
5 W710443 Upper arm bushing bolt
6 W520215 Upper arm bushing nut
7 4A263 Mass dampner (LH shown RH similar)

Removal

All vehicles

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

  1. Mark the rear shock absorber relative to the protective sleeve with the vehicle in a static, level ground position (curb height).
  1. Remove the brake discs. Refer to Section 206-04 .
  1. Remove the driveshaft. Refer to Section 205-01 .
  1. Disconnect the 2 ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connectors.
  1. Remove the stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 204-02 .
  1. Remove the panhard rod. Refer to Section 204-02 .

Convertibles

  1. Remove the rear support braces. Refer to Section 502-00 .

All vehicles

  1. If equipped, disconnect the differential oil temperature sensor and the 4 push pin fasteners and position aside.
  1. If equipped, remove the differential oil cooler line bolt.
  1. If equipped, remove the 2 cooler line retainer clips and disconnect the 2 differential oil cooler lines.

  1. NOTE: Secure the differential housing to the transmission jack with a suitable strap.

    Support the differential housing with a suitable transmission jack.
  1. Remove and discard the 2 shock absorber lower nuts and bolts.
  1. If equipped, disconnect the vent hose clip.
  1. Remove and discard the upper arm bushing nut and bolt.
  1. Lower the axle slightly and remove the springs.
  1. Remove and discard the 2 lower arm nuts and bolts.
  1. Disconnect the lower arms from the axle housing.
  1. Lower the axle housing from the vehicle.

Installation

All vehicles

  1. If installing a new rear axle, install a new upper arm bushing. Refer to Section 204-02 .
  1. If installing a new rear axle, If equipped, transfer the mass dampeners.
  1. Using a suitable transmission jack, position the axle housing in the vehicle and install the springs.

  1. NOTICE: Tighten the new suspension fasteners while the suspension is at curb height or bushing damage and incorrect clamp load may occur.

    Using 2 jackstands, raise the rear axle so the mark made on the rear shock absorber during removal lines up with the protective sleeve.
  1. Install a new upper arm bushing nut and bolt.
  1. If equipped, connect the vent hose clip.
  1. Position the lower arms to the axle housing.
  1. Install 2 new lower arm nuts and bolts.
  1. Install 2 new shock absorber bolts and flagnuts.
  1. If equipped, connect the differential oil temperature sensor and the 4 push pin fasteners.
  1. If equipped, connect the 2 differential oil cooler lines and install the cooler line retainer clips.
  1. If equipped, install the differential oil cooler line bolt.

Convertibles

  1. Install the rear support braces. Refer to Section 502-00 .

All vehicles

  1. Install the stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 204-02 .
  1. Install the panhard rod. Refer to Section 204-02 .
  1. Connect the 2 ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connectors.
  1. Install the driveshaft. Refer to Section 205-01 .
  1. Install the rear brake discs. Refer to Section 206-04 .

  1. NOTE: Service refill capacities are determined by filling the axle to a level of 5mm below the bottom of the fill hole with the axle at ride height.

    If equipped with a differential oil cooler, Remove the axle plug and fill the axle with 1.89-2.01L (4-4.25 pt) of axle lubricant and a additional 4.0 oz of friction modifier additive, then use a scan tool to operate the oil cooler pump and add a additional 1.10L (2 pt) of axle lubricant and a additional 2 oz of friction modifier and install the filler plug.