Removal and Installation

Halfshaft








Special Tool(s)

Undercoating and Rustproofing
During undercoating and rustproofing procedures, protect the boots from the coating materials. Foreign materials on the rubber boots will cause extreme advanced wear.

Removal

NOTE: This procedure applies to both the LH and RH halfshafts.





1. CAUTION: The vehicle must be on level ground and at curb height.

Mark the rear shock absorber relative to the protective sleeve.
^ During installation, raise the suspension to this reference mark before tightening the suspension component fasteners.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.





4. Remove and discard the rear axle wheel hub retainer.
5. Remove the rear brake disc.





6. Remove the rear brake anti-lock sensor and position aside.





7. Support the suspension lower arm and bushing. This will ease removal of the lower shock absorber mount bolt.





8. Disconnect the shock absorber at the suspension lower arm and bushing. Discard the nut and the bolt.





9. Remove and discard the cotter pin and the nut.





10. Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod link at the knuckle.





11. Disconnect the suspension upper arm and bushing at the knuckle. Discard the nut and the bolt.





12. Using the special tool, press the outboard CV joint until it is loose in the hub.

13. CAUTION: Do not over-angulate the outboard CV joint or damage the boot.

While lowering the knuckle, remove the CV joint from the hub.





14. CAUTION: The crown on the tool forks must face away from the axle housing. Position the special tool correctly between the CV joint and the axle housing so as not to damage the differential seal.

Using the special tool, exert enough pressure to overcome the circlip and separate the CV joint from the differential side gear.

15. CAUTION: Do not damage the differential seal.

Carefully remove the halfshaft with both hands.





16. Install the special tool.

Installation





1. NOTE: This procedure applies to both the LH and RH halfshafts.

Install a new driveshaft bearing retainer circlip.





2. Remove the special tool.





3. CAUTION: Differential seal damage will occur if installing the halfshaft without the special tool installed.

Install the special tool.





4. Position the halfshaft for installation.





5. Seat the CV joint stub shaft in the differential side gear.
1 Slide the stub shaft into the axle housing until the shaft splines are past the differential seal.
2 Remove the special tool.
3 Align the stub shaft splines and the side gear splines, and slide the stub shaft into the gear until it seats.
^ When seated, the axle circlip will lock the stub shaft in the differential side gear. Check the circlip engagement by attempting to pull the inboard CV joint out of the differential side gear. If the circlip has not seated, push the CV joint inward until the circlip is fully engaged in the differential side gear.





6. Connect the axle shaft to the hub.
1 Making sure the serrations on the shaft line up with the serrations in the hub, install the axle shaft into the hub.
2 Install a new retainer. Do not tighten the retainer at this time.





7. Connect the suspension upper arm and bushing to the knuckle.
1 Position the suspension upper arm and bushing on the knuckle.
2 Install the new bolt and a new nut. Do not tighten the nut at this time.





8. Connect the tie-rod end to the knuckle.
1 Position the tie-rod link in the knuckle.
2 Install anew nut.
3 Install a new cotter pin.





9. Raise the suspension until the shock absorber is compressed to the previously established alignment mark (curb height).





10. Connect the shock absorber to the suspension lower arm and bushing and install the new bolt and a new nut.





11. Tighten the nut.
12. Lower the suspension and remove the jack stand.





13. Apply Anti-Seize Lubricant to the rear brake anti-lock sensor where it contacts the axle housing and install the anti-lock sensor.
^ Use High Temperature Nickel Anti-Seize Lubricant F6AZ-9L494-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M124A-A.
14. Install the rear brake disc.





15. Tighten the retainer.
16. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Check the wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary.