Axle Shafts

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Lincoln LS, 2001 Lincoln LS, and 2000 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Do not balance the rear wheels and tires while mounted on the vehicle. Possible tire disintegration, differential or halfshaft failure can result, causing personal injury or extensive component damage. Use an off-vehicle wheel and tire balancer only.

CAUTION: An inspection of the outer and inner boots is necessary so that if damage or grease leakage is evident, installation of a new axle shaft can take place immediately. Continued operation with damage or grease leakage will result in Constant Velocity (CV) joint wear and noise due to contamination and loss of the CV joint grease.

CAUTION: Vehicles with V8 engines use a larger diameter axle shaft than vehicles with V6 engines. Do not install the smaller diameter axle shafts designed for vehicles with V6 engines on vehicles with V8 engines or vise-versa.

The right and left axle shafts are different lengths, with the right axle shaft being the longer of the two.
Inboard and outboard CV joints connect to a splined shaft. A circlip stopper holds the cross groove inboard race assembly (inboard CV joint) together.
An axle circlip retains the splined inboard CV joint to the differential side gear. Install a NEW axle circlip every time you remove the axle shaft from the vehicle.
A rear axle wheel hub nut secures the side shaft assembly (interconnecting shaft and outboard CV joint) to the rear hub. Install a NEW rear axle wheel hub nut every time you remove the axle shaft from the vehicle.