Axlerear how do you remove the rear axle shaft i cannot find the bolts that hold the axle shafts it has a limited slip dif. thanks

Turn the differential around until you find the small bolt that is holding the differential pinion shaft into the carrier housing, this is the shaft thar runs through the carrier housing that the spider gears rotate on. Remove the bolt and slide the pinion shaft out towards you, if you have limited slip there will be a metal spring shaped kind of like an S that will need to be carefully pried out using a screwdriver or pry bar. You will need to remove the brake drum or rotor depending what type of brake you have on the left side, then just push the axle into the housing about half an inch, look in the center of the carrier housing on the end on the axle you just pushed inward, there will be a C clip on the end of the axle. The C clip looks like a washer with a notch cut in it, remove the C clip using needle nose pliers or a magnet, the axle should now just pull out.
Source(s):

they come out the same way you just need to fight with the clips a little harder

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.

Top of Form 1
Raise the vehicle and remove the rear wheels.
Clean all dirt from the housing cover and remove the housing cover to drain the lubricant.
Remove the brake drum.
Rotate the differential case until the differential pinion shaft lockscrew can be removed. Remove the lockscrew and pinion shaft.
Push the axle shafts toward the center of the vehicle and remove the C-locks from the grooves on the axle shafts.
Pull the axle shafts from the housing, being careful not to damage the bearing which remains in the housing.
Inspect the axle shaft bearings and replace any doubtful parts. Whenever the axle shaft is replaced, the bearings should also be replaced.
Remove the axle shaft seal from the bore in the housing, using the button end of the axle shaft.
Remove the axle shaft bearing from the housing. Do not reuse the bearing or the seal.
Check the bearing shoulder in the axle housing for imperfections. These should be corrected with a file or polish.

The rear axle shaft?? Or the entire axle? I'm going to go with the axle shaft. Secure the vehicle. Loosen the lug nuts. Jack it up. Take the wheel and tire off. Remove the caliper and/or bracket. Remove the rotor. Place a pan under the rear differential cover. Remove the rear differential cover. Spin the axle shaft to reveal the center pin. Locate the 8mm-5/16 bolt that holds the center pin in place. Remove that bolt. Slide the center pin out, BUT DON'T TURN THE AXLE SHAFTS WHILE ITS OUT! Push the axle shaft in from the outer portion (where the wheel goes). A "C" clip will fall out inside of the differential. Pull the axle shaft out. Slide the center pin back in. Replace the 8mm-5/16 locking bolt and spin it a few times to keep everything in place.

If before 1999 vehicle it's real easy....jack up vehicle pull the wheels off remove calipers and hang by wire pull rotors off....Now loosen all the bolts on the differentail housing cover with a pan underneath to catch the fuild and take the cover off ....drain all the rear end fuild....turn one axle till you see the lock screw in the pinion shaft {middle} take lock screw out then rotate the axle till you can pull the pinion shaft out.....then push on axle to release the C Lock holding the axle in and remove it ..then pull out axle....to install put axle in install the C Lock in groove on axle ...put pinion shalf back in check C locks are in right postion then tighten the pinion lock screw ..install cover with bead of silicon or gasket and all bolts fill with fresh rear end fuild {on right side screw out plug half way up housing} until it starts to come out fill screw plug opening Please NOTE 1999 and NEWER vehicles is not done this way...if it is do not attempt THIS WAY...ASK!!!!!

You mean the clips that holds the axle shafts in the axle housing? You need to take the cover off the rear axle, now theres a small bolt in the carrier housing that holds the large pin in, remove the small bolt and push the pin out, then push the axle shaft inwards and the clip ( it really looks like a small horseshoe) will fall out, if it doesnt fall out, you will need to remove it, then the axle shaft will pull out. To install its the same way, put the shaft all the way in, install the clip, and pull out to seat it. then install the large pin, but make sure you line up the hole for the bolt.

not a problem,
jack up your car and block it on side frames,you need to have room to work at rear pun-kin,get a pan for rear gear lube to drain in,remove the bolts on the rear of the housing,yours I think should have 12 holding on inspection cover,When you have removed cover,put car in neutral so you can turn the drive shaft,you will see side gear on left and right,in between those side gears is a round shaft ,turn the drive shaft around until you see at one end of that shaft is a 5/16 bolt holding the shaft in .Ok here comes the part you must be very careful!!!!!!
loosen the 5/16 bolt completely but don't pull it out yet,turn drive shaft until the shaft and bolt are pointing down where the shaft will be able to just clear the housing,ok now hold the pin from falling out with your left thumb and remove the bolt with your right hand,
let the shaft come completely out,
"most important" Don't let anyone turn any of the rear wheels or it will spin the spider gears right up and out!!!!!
Go to the broken axle side of the car or have someone who is helping do it,have them push the axle shaft in towards you,if your watching the axle being pushed in you will see a big horseshoe clip fall down,that is all that holds GM axles in!
once the clip falls you can push the axle out some with your fingers and pull it the rest of the way out,
when you reinstall your new axle you need to get that horseshoe clip that fell,insert the axle without turning it,push in it as far as it will go,then you slide the horseshoe clip in the grooved out spot on the axle,hold in in place while someone pulls the axle out where clip will seat it's self,now slide shaft back in with bolt hole on bottom,you may have to wiggle it a little,when you have it in far enough to get the bolt back in go ahead and tighten the bolt,the rest is cleaning the cover gasket off and installing a new one and tighten all the bolts the same and refill,don't forget to put your car back in park before you let it down,
good luck

Jack up vehicle and support on stands. Remove wheels. Remove differential cover . Locate and remove lock pin that holds cross shaft in. Slide cross shaft out. Push axle inward to release axle c clip. Remove axle and pry out old seal. Install new seal with proper tool.Add some lube to the seal lip to aid axle intallation. Revese removal procedure. This is for a "c" type axle.
Another type has 4 nuts attaching a retainer plate to the backing plate behind the axle flange. In this case the 4 nuts are removed and the axle will come out. This may require a little effort. I think that you have a "c" type axle in your vehicle. Hope this helps. Moe

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 differential housing cover (4033).
   1. Loosen the bolts and drain the lubricant from the rear axle housing (4010).
   1. Remove the bolts.
   1. Remove the differential housing cover.

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

1. CAUTION: Turning the differential case (4204) or an axle shaft (4234) with the differential pinion shaft (4211) removed will cause the differential pinion gears (4215) to fall out of the assembly and damage the components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.
2. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the U-washer groove.
3. Remove the U-washer (4N237).
4. Push the axle shaft inboard.
5. Remove the U-washer.

Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.

1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
2. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.
3. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal (1177).
   Remove the axle shaft.

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Seal Removal

1. Remove the axle shaft (4334). For additional information, refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

1. CAUTION: Never remove the wheel bearing oil seal (1177) by itself. Always remove the rear wheel bearing (1225) and the inner wheel bearing oil seal at the same time.
   NOTE: If the wheel bearing oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged with foreign material.
   Using the special tools, remove the rear wheel bearing and wheel bearing oil seal together.

Installation

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing.
   • For 4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI with limited slip rear axles and 5.0L vehicles, use SAE 75W-140 High Performance Rear Axle Lubricant F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A.
   • For 4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI with conventional rear axles, use SAE 80W-90 Premium Rear Axle Lubricant XY-80W90-QL or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSP-M2C197-A.

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

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