im replacing the driver side cv axle and when i am installing the new one how does the axle shaft (i think thats the name of what the driver side cv axel screws into) stay in place? i screwed in the six bolts but the whole axle moves because i have nothing to keep it tight. was i suppose to hammer the axle shaft in when i was pushing it in the differential?

 

Attached is a PDF of the half shaft replacement procedure.

 

Not sure if it applies here and alloro's diagram doesn't mention it but many cv shafts have a circlip on the shaft that "locks" the engine side shaft in place when re-installing. It "snaps" into place. Ck on the shaft first before inserting.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FORD-1997-02-EXPEDITION-1998-02-NAVIGATOR-4WD-LH-DRIVE-AXLE-/290676740533?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43adaf11b5&vxp=mtr
this is the part that slips out. its exactly how mine looks and i dont see any clip or way for it to stay in other than pushing it it. but when the cv axle is bolted to it it just pulls it out slightly but enough to clink clank around. this is what caused my cv axle boots to fail in the first place so if there is some kind of clip it wasnt on there when i took it off.

 

The circlip is inside the diff housing. Take a close look at the splined end of the stub axle in the right most picture on your e-bay item. You will see the groove where the circlip will grab. Also notice the sloped area leading up to the groove. When you push the axle stub into the diff housing that sloped area on the axle stub will force the circlip to expand, allowing the axle stub to go all the way in until the circlip snaps in that groove. That's what holds the axle stub in the diff housing. (When extracting the axle stub, there is no sloped area to expand the circlip, so it takes a pretty good 'jerk' to get the axle stub out.)

 

Makes sense and i see exactly what you mean. I searched online for that explanation for about 2 hours With no luck. Thanks a lot. As soon as I get home ill try it. Do I push it in by hand or do I need to give it a wack. And also (knock on wood) but if there is a problem with that circlip is it easily fixable? I only ask because that axle stub must have came out of the circlip while driving because I didn't pull it out.