Mercury 6W1Z-4234-A Shaft Assembly - Rear Axle

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To remove the rear axle assembly, first disconnect the negative battery cable, loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle using jackstands under the frame, and remove the rear wheels. Then, proceed to remove the brake drums or calipers and discs, followed by the rear axle cover to drain the lubricant. If the vehicle has ABS, remove the sensors from the torque plates. Next, remove both rear axleshafts, free the ABS sensor wires, parking brake cables, and brake lines from their clips, and detach the brake backing plates or torque plate assemblies by removing the four attaching bolts. Unbolt the driveshaft from the differential companion flange and wire it aside. Place a floor jack under the differential and raise the rear axle slightly. If applicable, disconnect the safety chain through the coil springs or disconnect the air springs. Remove the lower mounting bolts of the shock absorbers and the upper suspension arm-to-rear axle housing nuts and bolts. On 1998 and later models, disconnect the four axle-locating arms and the Watts-linkage assembly if present, and if equipped with air suspension, disconnect the height sensor. Lower the axle housing until the coil springs are fully extended or remove the air springs. Finally, remove the lower suspension arm-to-axle housing nuts and bolts and lower the axle housing to guide it out from underneath the vehicle. For installation, raise the rear axle assembly into place and secure it with upper suspension arm-to-axle housing bolts and nuts, then install the coil or air springs and connect the lower suspension arms. Raise the axle housing to normal ride height, tighten the upper and lower suspension arm-to-axle housing nuts, and if applicable, reattach the height sensor for air springs. Connect the lower ends of the shock absorbers, the driveshaft to the differential companion flange, and the brake backing plates or torque plates to the axle housing. Reconnect the brake sensor wires, brake lines, and parking brake cables to their clips on the axle housing. Install the axleshafts, brake drums or discs and calipers, the rear axle cover, and fill the differential with the recommended oil. Finally, install the wheels, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque.

Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, support it securely on jackstands and remove the wheel. Also remove the brake drum, or the caliper and disc. Remove the cover from the differential carrier and allow the lubricant to drain into a container. Remove the lock bolt from the differential pinion shaft. Slide the notched end of the pinion shaft out of the differential case as far as ii will go. Position a large screwdriver between the rear axle case and a ring gear bolt to keep the differential case from turning when removing the pinion shaft lock bolt. Rotate the differential case 180-degrees and slide the pinion shaft out of the case until the stepped part of the shaft contacts the ring gear. Push the outer (flanged) end of the axleshaft in and remove the C-lock from the inner end of the shaft. Take care to not damage the 0- rings in the axleshaft grooves when removing the C-clips. Withdraw the axleshaft, taking care not to damage the oil seal in the end of the axle housing as the splined end of the axleshaft passes through it. Do not rotate the differential while the pinion shaft is out, or the pinion gears could fall out. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the differential pinion shaft lock bolt to the torque Specifications. Install the differential cover. Refill the axle with the correct quantity and grade of lubricant.

Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, support it securely on jackstands and remove the wheel. Also remove the brake drum, or the caliper and disc. Remove the cover from the differential carrier and allow the lubricant to drain into a container. Remove the lock bolt from the differential pinion shaft. Slide the notched end of the pinion shaft out of the differential case as far as ii will go. Position a large screwdriver between the rear axle case and a ring gear bolt to keep the differential case from turning when removing the pinion shaft lock bolt. Rotate the differential case 180-degrees and slide the pinion shaft out of the case until the stepped part of the shaft contacts the ring gear. Push the outer (flanged) end of the axleshaft in and remove the C-lock from the inner end of the shaft. Take care to not damage the 0- rings in the axleshaft grooves when removing the C-clips. Withdraw the axleshaft, taking care not to damage the oil seal in the end of the axle housing as the splined end of the axleshaft passes through it. Do not rotate the differential while the pinion shaft is out, or the pinion gears could fall out. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the differential pinion shaft lock bolt to the torque Specifications. Install the differential cover. Refill the axle with the correct quantity and grade of lubricant.

Unbolt the driveshaft from the differential companion flange and wire it aside. Place a floor jack under the differential and raise the rear axle slightly. If applicable, disconnect the safety chain through the coil springs or disconnect the air springs.