Removing the entire front driveline...permentally

[Badassbanshee]

Ok guys, new to the forum and looking for some advice. I have a 98 explorer 4x4 that has started leaking front diff fluid from the pinion seal. Seeing as I've never used the 4x4 (mostly because the left front cv shaft was removed by the previous owner and partially out of fear that if engaged it won't disengage) I've come to the conclusion that removing the entire front driveline will be the most cost effective fix to my oil stain dilemma and prevent future issues from running low/out of diff lube. With that being said does anyone see a problem with removing the driveshaft, remaining right front cv shaft and front axle housing?

Btw this site rocks! I've fixed many issues on my truck over the past 2 years thanks to information found on this site. You guys really know your fords!

 

[koda2000]

1. Remove the front drive shaft and discard
2. Remove the CV axle(s) from the diff, but don't get rid of them as you'll need the stub axle part **
3. Remove the front differential and discard

** Separate the stub axle(s) from the CV joint half-shafts and reinstall the stub axle in the hub and torque to spec. Without the stub axles installed in the bearing hub the assembly can/will come apart and you'll loose a front wheel (and have a very bad day). Alternately, you could swap the 4WD steering knuckles to 2WD knuckles.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Wait a minute, you don't have a driver's side CV axle? That's how your hub is held together.

 

[Turdle]

Yeah, ^^ what he said. Park that thing until you get that fixed. When ( not if) the bearing lets go your whole wheel is going to fall off.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

It's also worth mentioning that, on 98s, if I recall, the engagement of the front axles is done inside the transfer case, the front end remains hooked together always.

 

[Badassbanshee]

Alright gentleman here's the story. I bought this truck for 500 dollars from a co-worker. When he owned it the left cv shaft bearings let go on the hub side...to the point where I literally pulled the the cv shaft/bearing out by hand. Seeing as the socket that houses the bearing was still intact and torqued I simply removed the shaft because he didn't want to put money into the truck.

I have owned it for 2 years and put 25k on it since then with no ill effects. I've just never used the 4x4...and I'm not sure I'd be willing to try it even if I replaced the missing shaft. Recently it started leaking front diff lube from the pinion seal. Seeing as the 4x4 will never be used I elected to remove it completly. (Saves some weight too...lol) I was just asking around if anyone else saw some hidden issues I hadn't thought about.

I just finished pulling the driveshaft, front diff and remaining cv shaft. Once I remove the hub side bearing from the rest of the shaft and re-torque I believe I'll be in buisness

Sorry for the book and half assed way I went about fixing a pinion seal leak. I just really hate oil spots on my driveway...lol. Even though this truck has seen better days she still runs and drives like a champion. Just can't justify a bunch of repairs on parts I don't use on a 500 dollar truck.

Wish I could post some pics to explain it better but I haven't figured out how to add pics yet...lmao

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Yeah, oil spots suck, just make sure you have the hub end of the axle in the hubs with the nut on properly to hold the works together, you don't want a wheel coming off a 2 ton top heavy vehicle, other than that, you seem to have it figured out. I don't know if a V6 4WD crawls without the front wheels involved, pretty sure it doesn't, the 5.0 AWD will though, I'd set the parking brake either way, 2WD or 4WD just for the sake of it.

 

[Badassbanshee]

Agreed. Only problem I've encountered so far is how to remove the bearing on the side that was still in the truck. I was fortunate on the one that exploded it seems as it just pulled right out of the housing. Fortunately I have access to an acetylene torch that should make quick work out of that bearing race...lol

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Just take it apart, there's videos online on replacing the boots and changing the grease, assuming you're talking about the bearings on the axle

 

[koda2000]

Agreed. Only problem I've encountered so far is how to remove the bearing on the side that was still in the truck. I was fortunate on the one that exploded it seems as it just pulled right out of the housing. Fortunately I have access to an acetylene torch that should make quick work out of that bearing race...lol

Why are you removing the bearing? Are you replacing it? You don't need to remove the hub bearing to remove the CV axle.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/cv-axle-replacement-how-to-pictures.187964/

 

[Badassbanshee]

But I like using the torch...lol.

I honestly didn't know you could dissamble the shaft. Thanks you for the advice sir! I will look into that

 

[Badassbanshee]

Why are you removing the bearing? Are you replacing it? You don't need to remove the hub bearing to remove the CV axle.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/cv-axle-replacement-how-to-pictures.187964/

Not the wheel bearing. The bearing on the cv shaft that goes into the hub

 

[koda2000]

But I like using the torch...lol.

I honestly didn't know you could dissamble the shaft. Thanks you for the advice sir! I will look into that

Review the link I just added to my previous post. You will not be taking the CV axle apart to remove it either.

 

[Nightmare1508]

From what i learned today, there is no way to seperate the drive cup from the cv shaft without cutting the cage apart and letting the bearings fall out. Once you remove the shaft, take that fancy torch and melt that cage out and let the balls fall out. The shaft will then come out and remove whats left of the guts. Id degrease it now so it doesnt throw that nasty grease all over your truck.