Is it hard to change front CV axle on AWD?

[94cobra]

Is it hard to change front CV axle on AWD? Driver side. Any tips on what must be taken off?

 

[Jason_25]

Do you have a Haynes manual for the truck? It should show you how to do it.

 

[94cobra]

no I don't at this time.

 

[Jason_25]

Well I would suggest that you buy one, at all possible. It's practically the bible for explorer owners who do the work themselves. It cost me about 12 bucks. I do know that you'll probably need a CV joint puller tool, but you can rent it from Autozone.

 

[94cobra]

Yeah I think I will pick one up tomorrow.

 

[94cobra]

Ok, the book turned out to be useless for this job. Didn't do enough explaning, basically. I couldn't get the CV shaft out of the spindle. Taking the spindle completely off is required. The book says that is not required. Really shouldn't be that big of a deal to remove, but the lower ball joing won't let go. I think I need some more tools for this part.

Second I don't know why, but the CV puller won't pull the axle off. Gotta be soemthing else I am missing. Book simply says to use CV puller and remove the entire axle. Yet it don't come off.

So I guess I will take it to somebody.

 

[Jenkins1581]

What Year do you have?

I have a 96 4x4 and the front wheekl bearing went out. To get the cv out all you have to do is pull the spindle nut off and there is three blots on the back of the wheel bearing.diconect the abs sensor. Pull the bearing off. I just tapped the CV lightly and it came off.There is a bolt for the lower ball joint. Take that out. Mine came out with a swift smack on the control arm. Then all you have to do move the wheel bearing assamble out of the way and on the front diff carefully pry the CV from the diff. It should come out there you go! Hope that helps. What book did you get if it is Hayes 36024 1991 to 2000 it will be on page 8-15


Jenkins

 

[94cobra]

I got the Chiltons book 26688. Anyway, I was having no luck, so I took it to Midas. They will check it for free. Turns out, they think it is a transfer case problem.

So the next question is has anyone ever worked on the AWD transfer case?

 

[01EB5.0]

Do you trust they know what they are talking about? I have learned not to trust midas or other shops like that......but thats just my thoughts. We have a private mechanic that we use or I use the ford dealership

As for the work. I have the chiltons. I think it's the same as yours though. i could have sworn it told how to remove the CV axle. The book is back at home, but i will check when I go home tomorrow.

 

[94cobra]

Well, the book was not very detailed about the procedure. I got the slide hammer to remove the axle, but It never came off.

I trust this Midas shop more than the Ford house. The Ford house charged me $575 to change the driveshaft from the transfer case to the front. One month later here we are again, with the stuff making noise.

So do I trust the Ford house? No, if they are diagnosing the problem.

YEs, If I wish to give them my entire inheritance.

 

[Jon_Herr]

What type of noise?

Are you hearing?

I just fixed a thumping / grabbing noise on my '98 AWD by replacing the transfer case fluid.

Apparently the fluid wears out and causes the transfer case to 'grab' instead of gracefully engage.

Good luck,
Jon

 

[01EB5.0]

Jon,
How did you replace the front t-case fluid? My mechanic said he would have to lower the case to do it.

 

[Jon_Herr]

I think we're talking about different cases.

The transfer case is mid-vehicle and has drain and fill plugs.

The front differential has only one plug for filling it.

It's acceptable to use a pump to remove the fluid from the front diff.

Aside from that he's right about the front diff. It's a lot of work to drain it any other way.

 

[01EB5.0]

Oops..my bad...I thought in your post you said you did the front axle fluid. i also have the mid T-case with drain/fill plugs..that was easy. I gotta get my front diff fluid changed, but don't know how much it'll cost.

 

[Jon_Herr]

Although I hate to let monkeys touch my truck, I once had the front diff fluid on my mom's explorer changed by one of those fast lube places. They did it in a Jiffy.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

if you have a ratchet and 20 minutes you can change the dif fluid. of course its cleaner to go to a quicky place but i like getting dirty. you should be able to change your tcase fluid without dropping the unit. you just have to take the damper off. but i havent done it so dont really know.

as far as takign the fron axle off. you just have the have the "want to" the "know how to" comes after you do it. youll need jack jack stand hammer wrenches screwdriver (not vodka and oj either) and a beer. you will b good to go.

 

[01EB5.0]

Well, I think I'll bring it to the mechanicfor the front diff change. I already have the oil I want to be put in so I'll just have him do the "dirty work"

 

[Heath]

Well I'm having an extreamly similar problem... It happened after a HARD weekend of wheeling at CCR2001... Its only gotten worse since then... I'm going to go and have the fluids changed... Hopefully thats the problem!!! Wish me luck guys...

 

[01EB5.0]

I got synthetic fluid in my T-case and highly recommend! It just takes mercon ATF

 

[Jon_Herr]

Heath, I was suspicious of the transfer case right off.

What made the engagement more noticeable for me were the new tires I just put on. I suspect that the better traction made the engagement of the front wheels more pronounced.

I used Mobil-1 synthetic ATF (Mercon) - check your manual. After changing the fluid I took a ride in it and made sure to engage it several times. Then the vehicle sat overnight. In the morning the thumping was gone.

The Mercon has 'friction modifiers' that break down over time. They basically allow for a designed amount of slippage to occur when the clutches engage. Same thing with your automatic transmission. That's why fluid maintenance is more important than ever.

Good luck.