5.0L AWD front axle

[Dan Ferguson]

The CVC joint boot on my front axel (between the transfer case and the front diff) failed so i got a replacement axle (Advance Auto) but i can't get it in. It is too long by about half an inch it seems. I wish I still had the old one to compare with but it's already gone - core charge. (I won't make that mistake again.)

Does anyone know how long it should be? Are there different length shafts in other Explorer models?

Thanks for the help.

Dan

 

[Dan Whitaker]

The front axles are all the same lenght. There is a difference between the lect & right axle shafts howevere.

Where is it 1/2" to long? Where it goes into the diff housing or where it goes into the spindle?

 

[410Fortune]

I woudl be sure to advise the guys at Advance Auto about their computer failure... selling you the wrong part not knowing there are two

 

[Turdle]

ooops
he's talking about the front Drive shaft-and yes there are 2 lengths--actually 2 from 97-98


you must measure between the welds-and I suspect you need the 22 3/4" version rather than the 23 7/8"

 

[Dan Ferguson]

It is long between the front diff and the 4404 transfer case. There isn't enough room to put the U-joint together at the front diff when I put the cvc joint end into the transfer case.

Maybe it's my lack of mechanical skills. I did manage to replace the lower ball joints but I had pictures from a thread on this site to go by

 

[Dan Ferguson]

jtsmith--
I'll have to measure when I get home. Thanks for the info.

It wouldn't be my first run in with Advance's computer system. They sent me to 4 different stores last weekend trying to find lug nuts & studs. The computer said they had'em but they weren't on the shelf.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

ooops
he's talking about the front Drive shaft-and yes there are 2 lengths--actually 2 from 97-98


you must measure between the welds-and I suspect you need the 22 3/4" version rather than the 23 7/8"

Doh! missed that key info.

 

[Dan Ferguson]

I took the drive shaft back to Advance and compared it to the old one (luckily they still had it). Sure enough - the new one was about an inch longer.

Their computer showed two different part numbers with different lengths but they just clicked the first one I guess.

They ordered the correct part with expedited shipping at their cost. So hopefully today I can put it in and be back on the road.

How critical is the bolt torque on the u-joint?

 

[millerman23]

it is inportant to make shure they are tight. personaly i use the german setting on my ratchet. Gooten tight