Description & Operation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
This article applies to FWD Escape. When servicing rear differential and/or rear axle shafts on 4WD Escape, see DIFFERENTIALS & AXLE SHAFTS - REAR - ESCAPE
article.
Power from transaxle is transferred to driving wheels by 2 axle shafts. Both axle shafts consist of inner and outer Constant Velocity (CV) joints with an interconnecting shaft. CV joints are enclosed in grease-filled CV boots. Shaft is splined on both ends. The intermediate shaft contains a pressed on bearing which can only be repaired as an assembly.
Circlips retain the interconnecting shaft in the CV joints. A circlip retains the inner CV joint stub shaft in the differential side gear. Outer CV joint stub shaft is splined into the wheel hub and secured by a wheel hub nut. Outer CV joints have a high angle capability to accommodate turning angles. Inner CV joints are a plunger type, to allow for suspension travel. See Fig 1 .