Driveshaft - Rear, One-Piece, Rear Wheel Drive (RWD): Removal

All vehicles 

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist. For additonal information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .

Vehicles with slip yokes 

CAUTION: Do not allow the output shaft to turn.
Fig 1: Identifying Index-Mark Driveshaft And Transmission Extension Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
2. Index-mark the driveshaft and the transmission extension housing.

Vehicles with circular flange 

3. Index-mark the driveshaft yoke and the transmission flange.
   Fig 2: Identifying Index-Mark Driveshaft Yoke And Transmission Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with split pin yoke 

4. Index-mark the driveshaft and the rear axle pinion flange.
   Fig 3: Identifying Index-Mark Driveshaft And Rear Axle Pinion Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. CAUTION: It may be necessary to unseat the bearing cup assemblies by tapping on the yoke or bearing cup with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer.

   Remove and discard the 4 rear drivshaft-to-axle bolts and the 2 U-joint retainers.

   Fig 4: Disconnecting Four Bolts And Two U-Joint Retainers

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with circular flange 

6. Index-mark the driveshaft yoke and the rear axle pinion flange.
   Fig 5: Identifying Index-Mark Driveshaft Yoke And Rear Axle Pinion Flange

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. CAUTION: It may be necessary to tap the driveshaft yoke with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer if a pry area is not present on the driveshaft yoke.

   Remove and discard the 4 rear driveshaft-to-axle bolts.

   Fig 6: Disconnecting Driveshaft Yoke Four Bolts

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CAUTION: It may be necessary to tap the driveshaft yoke with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer if a pry area is not present on the driveshaft yoke.
NOTE: Bolt direction is vehicle application dependent.
Fig 7: Disconnecting Four Bolts At Transmission
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Remove and discard the 4 rear driveshaft-to-transmission bolts.

Vehicles with split pin flange 

9. CAUTION: It may be necessary to unseat the bearing cup assemblies by tapping on the yoke or bearing cup with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer.

   Disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle pinion flange. For manual transmission, remove the driveshaft from the vehicle. For automatic transmission, lower the driveshaft and slide it rearward off the transmission output shaft.

   • Tape the bearing cups to the spider to keep them from falling off the spider.
   • Plug the automatic transmission extension housing to prevent fluid loss.
   Fig 8: Removing Driveshaft From Vehicle

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with circular flange 

CAUTION: The driveshaft yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. Pry only in the area shown, with a suitable tool, to disconnect the yoke from the flange.
CAUTION: It may be necessary to tap the driveshaft yoke with a plastic or rubber soft-faced hammer if a pry area is not present on the driveshaft yoke.
Fig 9: Disconnecting Driveshaft Yoke From Rear Axle Pinion Flange Using Special Tools
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
10. Using a suitable tool as shown, disconnect the driveshaft yoke from the rear axle pinion flange. For manual transmission, remove the driveshaft from the vehicle. For automatic transmission, lower the driveshaft and slide it rearward off the transmission output shaft.
    • Plug the automatic transmission extension housing to prevent fluid loss.