Passenger Front CV Axle

[hillron]

I've a 2003 Ford Explorer, 4.0. 145,000 miles. The issue is the vehicle has humming noise coming from right front wheel. Observation of cv axle at right front reflects axle has wider than normal gap between shaft and differential. Questions are what could possibly cause the cv axle to not set properly against front differential? could it be bad differential or issue with the hub bearing? Could it be low transmission fluid causing the humming noise? Could it be a damaged c-clip? The axle is leaking fluid or it was leaking fluid but decided to park vehicle until research/removal of axle is complete. Have any of you experienced this issue with axle backing out or appear to be? If so, what's the fix? Thanks, happy holidays

 

[imp]

I've a 2003 Ford Explorer, 4.0. 145,000 miles. The issue is the vehicle has humming noise coming from right front wheel. Observation of cv axle at right front reflects axle has wider than normal gap between shaft and differential. Questions are what could possibly cause the cv axle to not set properly against front differential? 1. could it be bad differential or issue with the hub bearing? 2. Could it be low transmission fluid causing the humming noise? 3. Could it be a damaged c-clip? 4. The axle is leaking fluid or it was leaking fluid but decided to park vehicle until research/removal of axle is complete. Have any of you experienced this issue with axle backing out or appear to be? 5. If so, what's the fix? Thanks, happy holidays

1. The inner CV provides for axial movement to compensate for apparent axle length change due to suspension travel, so failure of the C-clip (or missing) could allow the inner axle shaft to move outward a small amount, likely no more than about an inch. This might be enough to "lose" the sealing surface, resulting in leakage.
2. Definitely no.
3. No.
4. Yes.
5. Sorry, no. I try to make educated responses based on my experiences which are of similar nature. The outer axle shaft is secured in place by a big nut on the bearing hub.

Work would involve loosening and remmoving the nut, loosening the splined joint, swinging the steering knuckle out and away to allow clearance to remove the entire CV and axle assembly, then determining why the inner axle slid out of the diff. If very high miles, replacement of hub and bearings might be reasonable, while all is apart. imp

 

[hillron]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I' going to remove the axle as stated to see what I find when time allows.