CV axle replacement
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
CV axle replacement
Hi All,
I’ve got a 93’ Ford Aerostar making a grinding/groaning noise from the front drivers side. Jacked it up and it initially sounds like the noise is coming from the inside (towards middle of vehicle) portion of the CV axle (not sure what this part is called). I think there’s ball bearings in there, which I suspect is likely the problem (but other thoughts or items to check are welcome). I also happen to have 2 new cv axles I bought but haven’t installed yet, so this seems like a good time to replace.
Does anyone know of a good step by step write up/walkthrough I could use? I noticed there are 6 (i believe) hex bolts connecting the inside cv shaft....can those bolts typically be reused (there weren’t any in the box with the new axles)? Any special tools I’ll need?
Thanks in advance!
I’ve got a 93’ Ford Aerostar making a grinding/groaning noise from the front drivers side. Jacked it up and it initially sounds like the noise is coming from the inside (towards middle of vehicle) portion of the CV axle (not sure what this part is called). I think there’s ball bearings in there, which I suspect is likely the problem (but other thoughts or items to check are welcome). I also happen to have 2 new cv axles I bought but haven’t installed yet, so this seems like a good time to replace.
Does anyone know of a good step by step write up/walkthrough I could use? I noticed there are 6 (i believe) hex bolts connecting the inside cv shaft....can those bolts typically be reused (there weren’t any in the box with the new axles)? Any special tools I’ll need?
Thanks in advance!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,014
Likes: 207
From: SoCal
It's probably the CV joint failing, and the new half-shafts should have those. Your model probably have CV joints on both ends, whereas my older model has a U-joint on the inner end. I had to replace the CV joint boot on one of my half-shafts, and I got lucky in that I did not have to pull the shaft in the "normal" way. I think you normally have to use a slide hammer type tool to pull the hub or shaft outward, after you disconnect the inner end from the differential. By the way, you can re-use those bolts, but I replaced mine with grade 8 allen head screws because the stock bolts were difficult to get to with an open-ended wrench.
In my case, I was able to disconnect the inner flange and pull the shaft out of the CV hub because its inner retaining ring had broken. I had to fish the pieces out with my fingers.
In my case, I was able to disconnect the inner flange and pull the shaft out of the CV hub because its inner retaining ring had broken. I had to fish the pieces out with my fingers.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Hi again! The bolts on the inner half shaft look to maybe be Allen (although my Allen set doesn’t seem to fit snug enough) or maybe t40 hex head? Is this type of bolt typical? It seems that a regular bolt you could use a wrench on would be better. See pics
anyhow, they’re tight and I’m afraid to strip them....any suggestions or recommended techniques?
i haven’t got the outer portion of the half shaft loose either (it’s also tight) but I’m soaking it with pb blaster right now. Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,014
Likes: 207
From: SoCal
There's probably thread lock on those bolts, so you could try putting a torch on them for a few seconds to soften them up before trying to loosen them. Those are definitely tor-X head bolts, so you should find the biggest bit that fits. I usually jam something in the wheel so I can apply torque to the bolts without turning the shaft.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
After replacing the half shafts the noise persists. It’s kind of a clicking/creaking/brake squeaking under tension noise. It happens mostly when driving slowly and turning the wheels (from drivers side). However, I checked and it doesn’t occur when the vehicle isn’t moving and I turn the wheels right and left. I’ve tried to attach a video but not sure it will work. Any ideas? Thanks!
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
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Ended up being bad drivers side wheel bearing. I replaced the hub and bearing assemblage and that fixed it. Needed new cv’s as the boots were torn so no harm there. Thanks as always!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,014
Likes: 207
From: SoCal
Congratulations. It must be a satisfying feeling to have finally solved an elusive problem like this. You might consider changing the other bearing as well.
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