Drive shaft lube...how is it done.

[2001ExpSport]

I went to Ford and dropped the X off for them to give me an alignment, check the front end for anything loose and grease the rear shaft.

What I want to know is what is involved in greasing the shaft. I went under and looked and it doesn't look like they even touched it. The boot is still dirty and the steel bands holding the boot on are dirty. I still get a clunk from the shaft so my guess is I was ripped off.

I need new ball joints on the drivers side so they didn't do the alignment.

Basically I spent $75, for them to tell me I have bad ball joints.

$30 for the shaft lube and $38 labor to check the front end.

The guy quoted me $30 to do the lube and had the balls to charge me for grease. I asked how much to lube the shaft splines...he said $30 so if he used $400 worth of grease and it took him all day, it's still $30.....am I wrong here?

Someone let me know on this shaft lube thing, I thought the boot had to come off to do it. Maybe I am wrong?

 

[jobunn]

Yes you have to pull the shaft out of the boot to get to the splines. When I took my ex in for this originally since I was still under warranty at the time, instead of greasing the splines they replaced the whole driveshaft And the clunk came back soon thereafter.

It is a job you should do yourself or take it to an independent guy. The hardest part was lossening the driveshaft bolts the the Ujoint.

Ask your dealer what he did exactly too. If he did indeed grease the splines your problem may be something else.

 

[Hokie]

I don't see how everything can be dirty if they did it. The metal straps holding the boot are 1 time use only so they would've put on a new boot or some hose clamps to hold the boot on

 

[2001ExpSport]

I am going back tomorrow to let them have it. This really irritates me. I finally decide to trust a dealer and i get this bullsh!t.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Well, I've looked in the Haynes book and there's nothing about lubing the splines. I want to be sure I know what I am talking about when I talk to Ford tomorrow.

 

[jobunn]

I believe it's part of the 30,000 or 45,000 scheduled maintenance on the 2 gen. explorers.

 

[checkedout]

here's what my ford CD says:

1. Remove driveshaft as illustrated in this section.

2. Scribe alignment marks on the driveshaft slip-yoke and the driveshaft tube to ensure proper U-joint phasing when reassembled.

3. Remove the driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamps with the end cutter pliers as shown. Discard the driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamps.
4. Remove the driveshaft slip-yoke boot from the driveshaft tube neck and the driveshaft slip yoke. Pull driveshaft slip-yoke off driveshaft stub shaft splines. Discard driveshaft slip-yoke boot.

5. If the driveshaft slip-yoke boot is found to be cracked or split, the grease should be checked for contamination. If driveshaft was operating satisfactorily and grease does not appear to be contaminated, continue with the installation procedure.

6. Check the lubricant for contamination by rubbing between two fingers. Any gritty feeling indicates a contaminated driveshaft slip-yoke and stub shaft. If the grease appears to be contaminated, inspect the stub shaft and driveshaft slip-yoke for wear. Clean all foreign matter from the driveshaft splines.
Installation

1. Install the driveshaft slip-yoke boot with the small diameter facing the splined stub shaft end. Push the driveshaft slip-yoke boot as far as it will travel on the stub shaft.
2. Install a new small driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamp and crimp the driveshaft slip yoke boot clamp using Keystone Clamp Pliers T63P-9171-A.
3. Pull the driveshaft slip-yoke boot toward the driveshaft and coat the stub shaft splines with Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or -K or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

4. Fill the driveshaft slip-yoke boot with approximately 10 grams (.36 ounce) of Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or -K or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

5. Slide the large slip-yoke boot clamp onto the barrel of the driveshaft slip-yoke before assembling shaft together.

6. Align the driveshaft slip-yoke and driveshaft tube using the alignment marks scribed in Step 2 of the Removal procedure. Push the driveshaft slip-yoke onto the stub shaft.

7. Remove all excess grease from the driveshaft slip-yoke boot and driveshaft slip-yoke. Position the driveshaft slip-yoke boot over the groove.

8. Move the driveshaft slip-yoke in or out in order to position the slip-yoke about 25-38mm (1-1.5 inches) from the collapsed position.

9. Using Keystone Clamp Pliers T63P-9171-A, crimp the large driveshaft slip-yoke boot clamp.

10. Reinstall driveshaft as illustrated in this section.

 

[DeRocha]

I would agree with Hokie.. The clamps used on the boot are a one shot deal (at the dealer). I have reused mine, but it takes 15 minutes of careful removal to ensure you don't screw them up. A ford shop would NEVER reuse them..What I find odd is that Ford itemizes everything...So I would have expected them to have new clamps on your invoice.

I brought my X in to change the front & rear diffs along with the trany fluid...When I went to pick up the X they handed me a bill for $250. I said what is up with that. The said it was their std rate for that work. I said I had this work done for only $120 a few years ago, what the deal? They service manger explained the process is involved, they have to take the diff cover off and clean out the gears ect... Well I see the X in the "Ready" lot so I check out the diffs..(The still had the old gasket seals on them). I go back into the service area and talk with the service manager again. I said isn't there some cheaper way to do the job? He says NO they have to take the time and remove the diff covers ect . I then said that is kind of funny because mine were NOT removed!. He then studders a bit and excuses himself to go talk with the mech you did the work...He reappears after 15 minutes and said the mech used a "pump" to exchange the diff fluids. I then told him I was NOT paying for any of this service and I didn't. I walked out and never went back for anything from them...

Now to set the record straight they certainly could have used a pump to exchange the fluids, but the manager's tone and instance that they do it the other way was completely wrong..

 

[2001ExpSport]

I went into the dealer today and nicely told the service manager that I wanted a refund for a service I paid for, but did not get. After a short conversation he apologized and credited my card. He was nice, but I won't be going back. I have no tolerance for incompetence.