Removal and Installation: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Always disconnect the front driveshaft from the axle first. Carefully pull the driveshaft out of the CV joint housing. Otherwise, the weight of the driveshaft can pinch the boot between the shaft and the boot can, and cause the boot to tear.

CAUTION: Tape the bearing cups to the driveshaft to prevent them from falling off of the spider.

NOTE: The front driveshaft CV joint is not repairable.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist.
Remove the skid plate, if equipped.

Fig 1: Removing Skid Plate
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Index-mark the front axle pinion flange and the front driveshaft.

Fig 2: Index-Marking Front Axle Pinion Flange And Front Driveshaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Index-mark the front output shaft assembly and the front driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint.

Fig 3: Index-Marking Front Output Shaft Assembly And Front Driveshaft CV Joint
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the components in the order indicated in the following illustration.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Fig 4: Front Driveshaft Removal Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.