Axle Shafts: Disassembly
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Villager. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
NEW CV joint boot clamps must be used during reassembly.
- Secure the axle shaft and CV joint in a vise using protective jaw covers.
- Using the Boot Clamp Pliers (205-D067, D87P-1O98-A), remove the large and small CV joint boot clamps from the axle shaft CV joint. See Fig 1 .
- Slide the CV joint boot away from the axle shaft CV joint and clean the grease from the axle shaft CV joint.
- Remove the wire ring bearing retainer from the axle shaft CV joint. See Fig 2 .
- Remove the axle shaft CV joint outer bearing race from the axle shaft CV joint inner bearing race. Remove the bearing cage from the inner bearing race. See Fig 3 .
- Expand the inner bearing race "C" clip and slide it back on axle shaft. See Fig 4 .
- Remove the inner bearing race and slide it backwards over the "C" clip recess. Remove the circlip from axle shaft. See Fig 5 . Remove the inner bearing race. Remove the inner bearing race "C" clip.
- Measure and record the distance from the end of the axle shaft to the dynamic dampner for reference during reassembly.
- Using the boot clamp pliers, remove the clamps from the dynamic dampner and remove the dynamic dampner. See Fig 6 .
- If removing the CV joint boot, tape the axle shaft splines to protect the CV joint boot and remove CV joint boot.
CAUTION:
When removing the outer bearing race, the ball bearings may be loose. Be careful not to drop them, damage may occur.