CV Joint

[Erik-Steel]

Hello, I was driving home from work this morning and *POP* I hear a nice noise followed by continuous screeching and popping as I drive. I pulled over and jacked it up, check to see if it was the wheel bearings, wobbled the tires, and nope. All are fine. So then I had the idea of turning sharply and sure enough, POP!! (louder then the initial pop). So I have a bad CV shaft. Well, I have it in the shop for a second opinion. The reason I am posting is I want to know, how easy it is to change the cv on this vehicle (2003 mercury mountaineer AWD)? I will post more details when I get off the phone with the shop, but I would much rather pay the $70 for parts and do the labor myself. I AM mechanically inclined but this in particular I have never done.

Thank you,
-Erik

 

[Erik-Steel]

Correction, front differential is bad. Now I must find one. But how? Is the junk yard my best bet?

 

[Mr Dubya]

Call around and see if some salvage/junk yards have any with your proper axle code. Must be the same gear ratio as the rear.

I got my front one for about 300 bucks when I rebuilt the front end.