Front Drive Shaft: Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 2002 Ford Ranger, 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 2002 Ford Explorer Sport, and 2002 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
DO NOT re-seat the can in the CV joint housing if the can's flange is above the CV joint housings shown in the cut-away illustration, bottom box. See Fig 1
. Install a NEW drive shaft.
- Verify that the can flange is housed correctly in the CV joint housing as shown in the cut-away illustration, top box. See Fig 1 . Install a NEW drive shaft if the can flange is not housed correctly. The can (domed CV joint housing cover) is pressed into the CV joint housing at the factory. When housed correctly, the can will appear as shown in the cut-away illustration. See Fig 1 .
- Align the index marks and install the drive shaft. Install the NEW washers and bolts. Tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern to specification. See Fig 2 . See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Verify that the CV joint has seated squarely in the transfer case flange. Check that the space between the end of the CV joint cap and the end of the transfer case flange is equal from the top to the bottom of the 2 components. Rotate the drive shaft 1/4 turn. Repeat this procedure several times.
- If the space is not equal at any point in the attachment, remove and reinstall the drive shaft as described in this procedure. Install the NEW universal joint retainer and bolts. Lower the vehicle
NOTE:
If NEW bolts are not available, coat the threads of the original bolts with threadlock and sealer.