Rear axle half shafts — removal and installation (Transit 2)

Removal

Bridge type "H" (mod. 34)

1. After unloading the vehicle, block the front wheels. Remove the wheel caps and loosen the wheel nuts on the side you are interested in.

2. After jacking up the rear of the vehicle, place it on supports, placing them on the frame side in front of the rear springs. Support the weight of the rear axle with a jack placed under the differential.

3. After marking the position of the rear wheel relative to the drum or hub, unscrew the wheel nuts and remove the wheel.

4. After marking the position of the brake drum relative to the hub, release the parking brake and remove the brake drum (see figure 9.4).



5. After marking the position of the axle shaft relative to the hub, release the axle shaft by separating its flange from the hub by tapping it or carefully prying it off with a screwdriver. Remove the axle shaft from the housing and hub, being careful not to damage the oil seal inside the hub. Be prepared for oil spills (see Figure 9.5, a-c).



6. Remove the gasket and sealing ring from the flange, and, if necessary, the intermediate ring installed in front of the bearing in the drive axle housing (see Figure 9.6).

"G"-type bridge (mod. 51a and 53)

7. After unloading the vehicle, block the front wheels. Remove the wheel cap and loosen the wheel nuts on the side you are interested in. Please note that vehicles manufactured before 1992 with six-stud wheels have left-hand threaded nuts on the left side (unscrew clockwise). Since 1992, nuts with normal right-hand threads have been installed on both sides.

8. After jacking up the rear of the vehicle, place it on supports on the frame side in front of the rear springs. Support the weight of the rear axle with a jack placed under the differential.

9. After marking the position of the rear wheel(s) relative to the drum or hub, loosen the wheel nuts and remove the wheel(s).

10. Unscrew the nuts or bolts securing the axle shaft to the wheel hub.

11. Remove the axle shaft from the housing and hub, being careful not to damage the oil seal inside the hub. Be prepared for oil spills.

Bridge type "C" (mod. 51) - models since 1992

12. After making sure that the vehicle is unloaded, block the front wheels, remove the wheel cap and loosen the wheel nuts on the side you are interested in.

13. After jacking up the rear of the vehicle, place it on supports on the frame side in front of the rear springs. Support the weight of the rear axle with a jack placed under the differential.

14. After marking the position of the rear wheel relative to the drum or hub, unscrew the wheel nuts and remove the wheel.

15. After marking the position of the brake drum relative to the hub, release the parking brake and remove the brake drum.

16. Unscrew the bolts securing the axle shaft to the hub.

17. After marking the position of the axle shaft relative to the hub, release the axle shaft by separating its flange from the hub by tapping it or carefully prying it off with a screwdriver. Remove the axle shaft from the housing and hub, being careful not to damage the oil seal inside the hub. Be prepared for oil spills.

18. If necessary, remove the spacer ring installed in the front part of the bearing in the drive axle housing.

Installation

19. The axle shaft is installed in the reverse order of removal, but please note the following:

• a) Install the intermediate ring of the front part of the bearing (on the "H" type bridge) so that the chamfered side faces inward. On the G-type bridge, mod 51, the intermediate ring can be facing inward with either side;
• b) Before installation, clean the mating surfaces of the axle shaft and hub, and replace the sealing ring and gasket with new ones. On type "C" bridges, mod 51A and 53, coat the axle shaft flange with sealant;
• c) when installing the axle shaft, brake drum and wheels, align the marks made during removal;
• d) Check the level and top up, if necessary, the oil in the rear axle as described in Chapter 1.