Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 527

Fig. 88: Installing Drive Pinion 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

16. Lubricate the rear axle pinion flange splines with rear axle lubricant. 

NOTE:

Disregard the scribe marks if a new rear axle pinion flange is being 
installed.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 10.25-inch - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 89: Aligning Rear Axle Pinion Flange With Drive Pinion Shaft 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

17. Align the rear axle pinion flange with the drive pinion shaft.  

18. With the drive pinion in place in the axle housing, install the rear axle pinion flange using the special tool. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 10.25-inch - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 90: Installing Rear Axle Pinion Flange 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

19. Position the new pinion nut. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 10.25-inch - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 91: Installing Pinion Nut 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

20. Use a suitable pinion flange holding tool to hold the rear axle pinion flange while tightening the pinion 

nut. 

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Tighten the pinion nut, rotating the pinion occasionally to make sure the cone and roller bearings 
are seating correctly. Take frequent cone and roller bearing torque preload readings until the 
original recorded preload reading is obtained by rotating the pinion with a N.m (inch-pound) torque 
wrench.  

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If the original recorded preload is lower than specifications, tighten to the appropriate specification 
for used bearings. If the preload is higher than specifications, tighten the nut to the original reading 
as recorded. For additional information, refer to the torque specification for new pinion bearings in 
SPECIFICATIONS . 

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.

NOTE:

Remove the suitable pinion flange holder while taking preload readings.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 10.25-inch - F150 Pickup