Symptom Diagnosis

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.

SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS

Symptom

Possible Cause

Result

Axle Shaft Vibrates

Damaged Front Suspension Lower Arm Ball Joint

⁽¹⁾ Replace Front Suspension Lower Arm Ball Joint

Worn Or Seized Axle Shaft CV Joint

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint & Lubricate As Necessary

Abnormal Noise

Insufficient Grease In Joint Or Spline

Lubricate As Necessary

Bent Axle Shaft CV Joint

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint

Worn Or Damaged Wheel Bearing

Replace Wheel Bearing

Worn Or Damaged Axle Shaft CV Joint

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint

Grease Leakage From Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot

Damaged Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot

Damaged Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot Clamp

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot Clamp

Noise & Vibration In Turns

Inadequate Or Contaminated Lube In Axle Shaft CV Joint

Clean & Lubricate As Necessary

Loose Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot Clamps

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint Boot Clamps

Another Component Contacting Axle Shaft CV Joint

Inspect Axle Shaft CV Joint

Worn Or Damaged Wheel Bearing

Replace Wheel Bearing

Vibration At Highway Speeds

Front Wheel Or Tires Unbalanced

⁽¹⁾

Tires Out Of Round

⁽¹⁾

Shudder Or Vibration During Acceleration

Worn Or Damaged Axle Shaft CV Joint

Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint

Excessively High Axle Shaft CV Joint Operating Angles Caused By Improper Ride Height

⁽¹⁾ Check Ride Height, Spring Rate & Axle Shaft, Or Axle Shaft CV Joint Pullout

Axle Shaft Pullout

Engine/Transaxle Assembly Misaligned

Adjust Engine/Transaxle Assembly

Front Suspension Components (Bushings, Front Suspension Lower Arms, Etc.) Worn Or Damaged

⁽¹⁾

Inboard Axle Shaft CV Joint Circlip Missing Or Improperly Seated In Transaxle

Inspect Or Replace Axle Shaft CV Joint Circlip As Necessary

⁽¹⁾	Inspect suspension components. See appropriate FRONT SUSPENSION article in SUSPENSION.