How do I remove the differential from an 04 ram 1500.

The spindle is what holds the front tires on. The axle is what holds the rear tires on. To remove the spindle, you have to remove the brake caliper first the remove the ball joint nuts. hit the spindle were the ball joints go in. The shock will release the ball joints. To remove the axles, you have to remove the differential plate, spin the differential until you see the bolt that locks the center pin in. remove both. push in the axle and remove the C clip. pull the axle out.

Jack it up ,pull the wheel on the bad axle side,remove the diff. cover,
remove the small pin holding the large pin in,slide the big pin out ,push the axle in from the wheel end,remove the c-clip in the axle and slide it out.
Would be wise to change the seal at the end af the axle tube at the same time. Slide the new axle in ,put the c-clip in the axle ,push it back in the carrier and reinstall the large pin and keeper pin,"Right Stuff" sealer makes a good cover gasket,3/8 drive for the fill plug,some gear iol and you're done,,not a bad job,no special tools required.

what about it?

conventional axle or limited slip? Get axle code off door sticker.

SECTION 205-02: Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear 1998 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual
IN-VEHICLE REPAIR Rear Wheel Bearing and Axle Shaft Oil Seal -4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI, Conventional
Special Tool(s) Axle Seal Replacer
T83T-1175-A Axle Wheel Bearing Puller
T83T-1225-A Axle Wheel Bearing Replacer
T83T-1225-B Driver Handle
T80T-4000-W Impact Slide Hammer
T50T-100-A
Removal

1. Remove the axle shaft; refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

Axle Shaft Removal

1. CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized lug nut. Heat can damage the wheel (1007) and the rear wheel bearings (1225).
   Loosen the lug nuts (1012).
   1. Remove the center cap.
   1. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, loosen the lug nuts.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   1. Remove the lug nuts.
   1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

1. Remove the axle housing cover (4033).
   1. Loosen the axle housing cover bolts (4346) and drain the rear axle (4001).
   1. Remove the axle housing cover bolts.
   1. Remove the axle housing cover.

1. Remove the rear disc brake rotors (2C026); refer to Section 206-04 .

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft (4211) has been removed, turning the differential case (4204) or an axle shaft (4234) will cause the differential pinion gears (4215) to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves.
   Remove the U-washers (4N237).
   1. Push the axle shafts inboard.
   1. Remove the U-washers.

1. Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal (1177).
   Remove the two axle shafts.

Installation

1. Lubricate the lip of the inner wheel bearing oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft has been removed, turning the differential case or an axle shaft will cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal.
   Install the two axle shafts.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves.
   Install the U-washers.
   1. Position the two U-washers on the button end of the axle shafts.
   1. Pull the axle shafts outward.

1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the differential pinion shaft lock bolt hole.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.

1. Install the rear disc brake rotors; refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Install the axle housing cover and fill the rear axle housing (4010) with 2.4 liters (5.5 pints) of specified lubricant; refer to Axle Housing Cover in this section.

1. WARNING: Always remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign material that may be present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub or rear disc brake rotor that contacts the wheel. Installing wheels without proper metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the lug nut to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, causing loss of control.
   Clean the wheel hub and mounting surfaces.

1. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
   1. Position the tire and wheel assembly.
   1. Install the lug nuts and lower the vehicle.
   1. Tighten the lug nuts.
   1. Install the center cap.

1. CAUTION: Never remove the axle shaft oil seal by itself. Always remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal at the same time.
   NOTE: If the axle shaft oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged with debris.
   Use Impact Slide Hammer and Axle Wheel Bearing Puller to remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal.

Installation

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing.
   1. Use Thermally Stable Rear Axle Lubricant XY-80W90-QL or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSP-M2C197-A.

1. Use Axle Wheel Bearing Replacer with Driver Handle to install the rear wheel bearing.

1. Lubricate the lip of the new axle shaft oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. Use Axle Seal Replacer with Driver Handle to install the axle shaft oil seal.

1. Install the axle shaft; refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

For the rear diff., remove the driveshaft, brake drums, diff. cover, remove pinion flange nut, move diff carrier to access side gear retainer bolt and remove bolt, slide side gear pin out and push axles in to remove axle retainers and remove axels. Mark carrier bearing retainers, spin bearing retainers to loosen carrier for removal. Remove carrier, remove pinion out of diff case, then r&r bearings. Any shims should be replaced in their original location for depth and pinion to ring contact.

when removing the front axle i believe that you must open the front differential cover and inside the dana you will see a small 8mm bolt located on the spider gear center it holds the pin bar in place and the pin bar holds both the upper and lower gears in place with a small washer below them. be careful when you pull the pin bar out to make sure the gears stay in place (upper and lower) do not let the washer fall out of the spider cage assembly. Then, carefully slide the U pin that holds the axle in (there are two of them one for the left axle and one for the right). Once the U pin slides off the axle the axle should slide all the way out of the whole differential - Note if the U pin you see at the end of the axle does not come off easy just push the axle IN ward towards the center of the differential and then slide it out with a small screw driver ..

The rear axle bearing? I'm going to presume that's the bearing you're talking about and not the rear main bearing, so please take that into consideration if you would

You're going to have to jack up the rear of the van, remove the tire and drum. Then you have to place a drain pan under the rear differential and remove the cover. After the cover is removed spin the rear axle (the one with the tire off) to locate the pin in the very center of the differential. On the right side you will see an 8mm (5/16) bolt head.

When you remove the locking bolt (the 8mm) and slide the pin out DO NOT SPIN THE AXLE WITHOUT THE CENTER PIN IN PLACE. Push in on the axle with the bearing to be replaced and a "C" clip will fall out of the differential. SLIDE THE CENTER PIN BACK IN and screw in the locking bolt a few turns. Once the "C" clip slips out, you can pull the axle out. If you don't have a bearing puller, it's best to rent one. Insert the bearing puller and pop the bearing out.

Get the rear wheels off of the ground, remove wheels, and drums. (Rotors if you have those)
Remove rear cover (use a drain pan to catch fluid)
Look for the 5/16" or 8mm head pin bolt and remove it.
Turn the differential so you can get the pin out. (goes through the center)
Push you axles inward and with a small magnet, take both "C" clips out from the inner part of the axles.
Now slide out you axles. (Careful on the outer seals)
Mark your carrier bearing caps so you know what is left or right, and remove them both.
Find out what size the bolt heads are for the "ring" gear and get two wrenches to fit. (Usually 19mm or 3/4")
Hold one on a bolt head on the top side and put the other wrench lower.Force the lower wrench upward, as this will push the upper wrench into the housing and "push" the differential out. When removing be aware that there are spacers that need to go back where they came from. DO NOT MIX THESE UP. These spacers are under the carrier bearing caps, left and right of the differential.
Note, four spider gears is a normal differential, requires gear oil. If it has clutch packs, it is a limited slip and requires gear oil and limited slip additive!!!

SECTION 205-02B: Rear Drive Axle/Differential — Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual IN-VEHICLE REPAIR Axle Shaft Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Remove the rear brake disc (2C026). For additional information, refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Remove the differential housing cover (4033) and drain the lubricant. For additional information, refer to Differential Housing Cover in this section.

1. Remove the differential pinion shaft (4211).
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt (4241).
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the axle shaft groove.
   Remove the U-washer (4N237).
   1. Push the axle shafts (4234) inboard.
   1. Remove the U-washer.

1. CAUTION: Damage to the rear brake anti-lock sensor (2C190) may occur if it is not removed before the axle shaft.
   Carefully remove the rear brake anti-lock sensor. For additional information, refer to Section 206-09A .

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.
   Remove the axle shaft.

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Rear Wheel Bearing and Axle Shaft Oil Seal Removal

1. Remove the axle shaft (4234). For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

1. NOTE: If the wheel bearing oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged.
   Using the special tools, remove the rear wheel bearing and wheel bearing oil seal.

Installation

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing with the specified lubricant.

1. Using the special tools, install the new rear wheel bearing.

1. Lubricate the lip of the new wheel bearing oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. Using the special tools, install the new wheel bearing oil seal.

1. Install the axle shaft. For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

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Installation

1. Lubricate the lip of the wheel bearing oil seal
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.
   Install the two axle shafts.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the axle shaft groove.
   Install the U-washer.
   1. Position the two U-washers on the button end of the axle shaft.
   1. Pull the axle shaft outward.

1. NOTE: If a new pinion shaft lock bolt is unavailable, coat the threads with Threadlock and Sealer EOAZ-19554-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G351-A5 prior to installation.
   Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the case lock bolt hole.
   1. Install a new differential pinion shaft lock bolt.

1. Install the differential housing cover and fill the rear axle with the specified lubrication. For additional information, refer to Differential Housing Cover in this section.

1. Install the rear brake anti-lock sensor. For additional information, refer to Section 206-09A .

1. Install the rear brakes. For additional information, refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Install the tire and wheel assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Lower the vehicle.

HUB BEARING AND AXLE SHAFT REMOVAL

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake components from the axle, Refer toBrakes.
4. Remove the cotter pin and axle hub nut.
5. Remove the hub to knuckle bolts Hub and Knuckle Remove the hub bearing from the steering knuckle and axle shaft
6. Remove the brake dust shield.
7. Remove the axle shaft from the housing. Avoid damaging the axle shaft oil seal.

INSTALLATION

1. Clean the axle shaft and apply a thin film of Mopar Wheel Bearing Grease to the shaft splines, seal contact surface, hub bore. Install the axle shaft into the housing and differential side gears. Avoid damaging the axle shaft oil seals in the differential.
2. Install dust shield and hub bearing on knuckle.
3. Install the hub bearing to knuckle bolts and tighten to 170 N·m (125 ft. lbs.) torque.
4. Install the axle washer and nut, tighten nut to 237 N·m (175 ft. lbs.) torque. Align nut to next cotter pin hole and install new cotter pin.
5. Install the brake components, Refer toBrakes.
6. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
7. Remove support and lower the vehicle.

REMOVAL

1. Remove filler plug from the differential cover.
2. Remove differential cover and drain the lubricant.
3. Clean housing cavity with flushing oil, light engine oil or a lint free cloth. NOTE: Do not use steam, kerosene or gasoline to clean the housing.
   
4. Remove axle shafts.
5. Remove RWAL/ABS sensor from housing. NOTE: Side play resulting from bearing races being loose on case hubs requires replacement of the differential case.
   
6. Mark differential housing and bearing caps for installation reference (REFERENCE MARKS).
7. Remove bearing threaded adjuster lock from each bearing cap.
8. Loosen differential bearing cap bolts.
9. Loosen differential bearing adjusters through the axle tubes with Wrench C-4164 (THREADED ADJUSTER TOOL).
10. Hold differential case while removing bearing caps and adjusters.
11. Remove differential case. NOTE: Tag the differential bearing cups and threaded adjusters to indicate their location.
    

INSTALLATION

1. Apply a coating of hypoid gear lubricant to the differential bearings, bearing cups, and threaded adjusters. A dab of grease can be used to keep the adjusters in position.
2. Install differential assembly into the housing.
3. Install differential bearing caps in their original locations (BEARING CAPS).
4. Install bearing cap bolts and tighten the upper bolts to 14 N·m (10 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower bolts finger-tight until the bolt head is seated.
5. Perform the differential bearing preload and adjustment procedure. NOTE: Be sure that all bearing cap bolts are tightened to their final torque of 136 N·m (100 ft.lbs.) before proceeding.
   
6. Install axle shafts.
7. Apply a bead of orange Mopar Axle RTV Sealant or equivalent to the housing cover (COVER SEALANT). CAUTION: If cover is not installed within 3 to 5 minutes, the cover must be cleaned and new RTV applied or adhesion quality will be compromised.
   
8. Install the cover and any identification tag and tighten cover bolts to 41 N·m (30 ft. lbs.).
9. Fill differential with lubricant to bottom of the fill plug hole. Refer to the Lubricant Specifications for the correct quantity and type. NOTE: Trac-lok™ differential equipped vehicles should be road tested by making 10 to 12 slow figure-eight turns. This maneuver will pump the lubricant through the clutch discs to eliminate a possible chatter noise complaint.
   

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND GEAR BACKLASH The following must be considered when adjusting bearing preload and gear backlash:

• The maximum ring gear backlash variation is 0.076 mm (0.003 in.).
• Mark the gears so the same teeth are meshed during all backlash measurements.
• Maintain the torque while adjusting the bearing preload and ring gear backlash.
• Excessive adjuster torque will introduce a high bearing load and cause premature bearing failure. Insufficient adjuster torque can result in excessive differential case free-play and ring gear noise.
• Insufficient adjuster torque will not support the ring gear correctly and can cause excessive differential case free-play and ring gear noise.

NOTE: The differential bearing cups will not always immediately follow the threaded adjusters as they are moved during adjustment. To ensure accurate bearing cup responses to the adjustments:

• Maintain the gear teeth engaged (meshed) as marked.
• The bearings must be seated by rapidly rotating the pinion gear a half turn back and forth.
• Do this five to ten times each time the threaded adjusters are adjusted.

1. Through the axle tube use Wrench C-4164 to adjust each threaded adjuster inward until the differential bearing free-play is eliminated. Allow some ring gear backlash approximately 0.25 mm (0.01 in.) between the ring and pinion gear. Seat the bearing cups with the procedure described above.
2. Install dial indicator and position the plunger against the drive side of a ring gear tooth (RING GEAR BACKLASH). Measure the backlash at 4 positions, 90 degrees apart around the ring gear. Locate and mark the area of minimum backlash.
3. Rotate the ring gear to the position of the least backlash. Mark the gear so that all future backlash measurements will be taken with the same gear teeth meshed.
4. Loosen the right-side, tighten the left-side threaded adjuster. Obtain backlash of 0.076 to 0.102 mm (0.003-0.004 in.) with each adjuster tightened to 14 N·m (10 ft. lbs.). Seat the bearing cups with the procedure described above.
5. Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts 136 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
6. Tighten the right-side threaded adjuster to 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.). Seat the bearing cups with the procedure described above. Continue to tighten the right-side adjuster and seat bearing cups until the torque remains constant at 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.)
7. Measure the ring gear backlash. The range of backlash is 0.15 to 0.203 mm (0.006 to 0.008 in.).
8. Continue increasing the torque at the right-side threaded adjuster until the specified backlash is obtained. NOTE: The left-side threaded adjuster torque should have approximately 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.). If the torque is considerably less, the complete adjustment procedure must be repeated.
   
9. Tighten the left-side threaded adjuster until 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.) torque is indicated. Seat the bearing rollers with the procedure described above. Do this until the torque remains constant.
10. Install the threaded adjuster locks and tighten the lock screws to 10 N·m (90 in. lbs.).