Rear Drive Halfshafts

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Mercury Mariner and 2007 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

NOTE: Handle all halfshaft components carefully during removal and installation procedures.

The inner and outer constant velocity (CV) joints connect to a splined shaft. A circlip stopper holds the cross groove inner race assembly (inner CV joint) together.
The RH and LH halfshafts are the same length.
An axle circlip retains the splined inner CV joint to the differential side gear. Install a new axle circlip each time the halfshaft is removed from the vehicle.
A rear axle wheel hub nut secures the side shaft assembly (interconnecting shaft and outer CV joint) to the rear hub. Install a new rear axle wheel hub nut each time the halfshaft is removed from the vehicle.
The rear halfshafts are serviced as assemblies only.