Installation of an Axle Bearing on a 1973 Ford F-100

The Ford F-100 half-ton pickup was produced from 1953 through 1983, when it was phased out in favor of the F-150, which began production in 1975. The 1973 F-100 was available with a 4.9-liter inline-six cylinder and several V-8 engines, ranging from a 5.0-liter to a 7.5-liter. The F-100 used the Ford 9-inch semi-floating rear axle, which features a removable carrier housing and axles retained by retainer plates at the end of each axle tube. Removing and replacing the axles is within the scope of the DIY mechanic, but the bearings must be pressed on and off by a shop with the appropriate equipment.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the F-100 on a level, paved surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels. Block the front wheels with wheel chocks. Raise the rear of the F-100 with a jack and support it with jack stands.

2

Remove the lug nuts and wheels. Remove the brake drums.

3

Remove the nuts on the bearing retainer plate with a ratchet, extension and socket. Slide the socket and extension through the hole in the axle flange to access the nuts. Pull the axle out of the axle tube. If the axle does not want to come out, mount the wheel onto the axle and use the wheel as a puller. It will give you greater leverage.

4

Remove the oil seal from the axle tube with a slide hammer and two-jaw puller attachment.

5

Take the axle to a shop to have the bearing and retainer pressed off and a new bearing and retainer pressed on.

Installation

6

Coat the outside rim of a new oil seal with a thin film of non-hardening, oil-resistant sealer. Coat the inside lip of the new seal with 90W gear oil. Insert the seal into the axle tube. Find a socket that is the same size as the outside diameter of the seal but will fit into the tube. Tap the socket with a hammer to drive the seal into the axle tube.

7

Pull the backing plate from the axle tube and remove the gasket from between the axle tube flange and backing plate. Install a new gasket. These gaskets do not use sealer. Mount the backing plate back onto the axle tube.

8

Slide the axle into the tube. Be careful not to damage the new seal. Attach the nuts to the retainer bolts and use a torque wrench to torque the nuts to between 50 and 75 foot-pounds. Repeat the process for the other side if required.

9

Mount the brake drum. Mount the wheel and attach the lug nuts. Raise the F-100, remove the jack stands and lower it to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 90 foot-pounds.