Remove rear axle

[valex76x]

Hi all!

I bought a Ford 8.8 rear axle from an Explorer 1998.
The axle is still under the Explorer.
Next week I must go take it but I don't know what I need for take it down.
Could you please give me some advices? What do I need to bring with me?

 

[Stang65fst]

I would take it loose at the springs and roll it out. You will need to drop the driveshaft, 4 bolts in springs, line wrench for brake lines, take off shocks, and sway bar.

I swapped out a 4.10 open for a 4.10 limited slip.

 

[techieman33]

I would just cut the rubber brake line where it comes out of the frame, and the e-brake cable if you don't need them. The driveshaft needs a 12 point 12mm socket to remove it, and I'm pretty sure the u-bolts and lower shock bolts are 18mm, I think the shackle bolts are too, something may be 19mm, I just don't remember what though. The sway bar bolts to the body are 15mm or 18mm, can't remember. As long as you have a decent set of metric wrenches and sockets you should be fine. Also a big hammer and some pb blaster or other penetrating lubricant/rust breaker to help some of the stubborn bolts along, especially the shackle bolts. And if your not wanting to keep the leaf springs, the easier thing to do would be to just cut the shackles, jack up the back of the explorer and roll the axle out.

 

[valex76x]

Thank you!
I live in The Netherlands ... so no problems for the metric wrenches !
Was a problem if the bolts were in inches !