Ford Escape: Rear Drive Halfshafts / Diagnosis and Testing - Rear Drive Halfshafts
Preliminary Inspection
-
Visually inspect the CV joints, housing, boots, and clamps for obvious signs of mechanical damage.
-
If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is
found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next
step
-
If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and REFER to Symptom Chart: NVH.
Symptom Chart(s)
Diagnostics in this manual assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices.
REFER to: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
Symptom Chart: NVH
Symptom Chart
Condition
|
Actions
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Driveline clunk - loud clunk when shifting from REVERSE to DRIVE
|
GO to Pinpoint Test A
|
Driveline clunk — occurs as the vehicle starts to move forward following a stop
|
GO to Pinpoint Test B
|
Grunting — normally associated with a
shudder experienced during acceleration from a complete stop
|
GO to Pinpoint Test C
|
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds
|
GO to Pinpoint Test D
|
Pinpoint Tests
PINPOINT TEST A: DRIVELINE CLUNK- LOUD CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE
Normal Operation and Fault Conditions
Halfshafts transmit rotary motion through constant velocity joints
in a uniform manner. The outer CV
joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage in the wheel
hubs. The inner CV joints use balls, have length compensation,
and are locked in to the differential by a snap-ring. The inner
CV joints use balls, have length compensation, and are locked in
to the differential by a snap-ring.
Possible Sources
- Damaged or worn Constant Velocity (CV) joints
- Loose hub nut
|
A1 CHECK THE HUB NUT TORQUE |
Is the hub nut loose?
Yes |
Tighten the hub nut to specification. REFER to: Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub - AWD (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
|
|
A2 CHECK THE TORQUE ON SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM FASTENERS |
-
Check the front lower arm nut torque
-
Check the rear lower arm nut torque
-
Check the tie rod nut torque
-
Check the rear shock absorber mounting fasteners torque
-
Check the stabilizer bar link nut torque
-
Check the upper arm nut torque (If equipped)
Is the any of the suspension and steering fastener loose?
Yes |
Tighten the fastener to specification. REFER to: Front Lower Arm (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Lower Arm (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Stabilizer Bar (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Stabilizer Bar Link (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Wheel Knuckle - AWD (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
|
|
A3 CHECK THE CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) BOOTS AND JOINTS FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE |
-
Check the constant velocity (cv) boots and joints for wear or damage
Was damage found?
Yes |
Inspect the CV joints and halfshaft. Replace components as necessary.
REFER to: Rear Halfshaft (205-05 Rear Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
|
No |
Inspect the vehicle for any other symptoms related to the halfshafts.
|
|
PINPOINT TEST B: DRIVELINE CLUNK — OCCURS AS THE VEHICLE STARTS TO MOVE FORWARD FOLLOWING A STOP
Normal Operation and Fault Conditions
Halfshafts transmit rotary motion through constant velocity joints
in a uniform manner. The outer CV
joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage in the wheel
hubs. The inner CV joints use balls, have length compensation,
and are locked in to the differential by a snap-ring. The inner
CV joints use balls, have length compensation, and are locked in
to the differential by a snap-ring.
Possible Sources
|
B1 CHECK FOR LOOSE HUB NUT |
Are any hub nuts loose?
Yes |
Tighten to specifications.
REFER to: Rear Halfshaft (205-05 Rear Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub - AWD (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
|
No |
Inspect the vehicle for any other symptoms related to the halfshafts.
|
|
B2 CHECK THE TORQUE ON SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM FASTENERS |
-
Check the front lower arm nut torque
-
Check the rear lower arm nut torque
-
Check the tie rod nut torque
-
Check the rear shock absorber mounting fasteners torque
-
Check the stabilizer bar link nut torque
-
Check the upper arm nut torque (If equipped)
Is the any of the suspension and steering fastener loose?
Yes |
Tighten the fastener to specification. REFER to: Front Lower Arm (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Lower Arm (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Shock Absorber (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Stabilizer Bar (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Rear Stabilizer Bar Link (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Wheel Knuckle - AWD (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
|
|
B3 CHECK THE CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) BOOTS AND JOINTS FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE |
-
Check the constant velocity (cv) boots and joints for wear or damage
Was damage found?
Yes |
Inspect the CV joints and halfshaft. Replace components as necessary.
REFER to: Rear Halfshaft (205-05 Rear Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
|
No |
Inspect the vehicle for any other symptoms related to the halfshafts.
|
|
PINPOINT TEST C: GRUNTING — NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A SHUDDER EXPERIENCED DURING ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP
Normal Operation and Fault Conditions
Halfshafts transmit rotary motion through constant velocity joints
in a uniform manner. The outer CV
joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage in the wheel
hubs. The inner CV joints use balls, have length compensation,
and are locked in to the differential by a snap-ring. The inner
CV joints use balls, have length compensation, and are locked in
to the differential by a snap-ring.
Possible Sources
- Halfshaft Constant Velocity (CV) joint binding
|
C1 CHECK THE OUTER CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT FOR CORRECT SEATING INTO THE HUB |
-
Check the outer constant velocity (cv) joint for correct seating into the hub.
Is the outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint seated correctly into the hub?
Yes |
Inspect the vehicle for any other symptoms related to the halfshafts.
|
No |
Repair as necessary.
REFER to: Rear Halfshaft (205-05 Rear Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
|
|
PINPOINT TEST D: DRIVELINE VIBRATION - OCCURS AT CRUISING SPEEDS
Normal Operation and Fault Conditions
Halfshafts transmit rotary motion through constant velocity joints
in a uniform manner. The outer CV
joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage in the wheel
hubs. The inner CV joints use balls, have length compensation,
and are locked in to the differential by a snap-ring. The inner
CV joints use balls, have length compensation, and are locked in
to the differential by a snap-ring.
Possible Sources
- Incorrectly seated Constant Velocity (CV) joint in the wheel hub
|
D1 CHECK THE OUTER CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT FOR CORRECT SEATING INTO THE HUB |
-
Check the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub.
Is the outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint seated correctly into the hub?
Yes |
Inspect the vehicle for any other symptoms related to the halfshafts.
|
No |
Repair as necessary.
REFER to: Rear Halfshaft (205-05 Rear Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
REFER to: Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub - AWD (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and Installation).
|
|
Differential Seals
NOTICE:
When installing shafts, do not allow splines to contact seals during installation or damage to the seals may occur.
Halfshaft
seals are susceptible to the same types of damage as drive pinion seals
if incorrectly installed. The seal bore must be clean and the lip
handled carefully to avoid cutting or tearing it. The seal journal
surface must be free of nicks, gouges and rough surface texture.
For information on differential seals,
REFER to: Rear Halfshaft Seal (205-02 Rear Drive Axle/Differential, Removal and Installation).
Special Tool(s) /
General Equipment
100-001
(T50T-100-A)
Slide Hammer
205-832Remover, HalfshaftTKIT-2006C-FFMFLMTKIT-2006C-LMTKIT-2006C-ROW
Removal
NOTICE:
Never pick up or hold the halfshaft by only the inner or
outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint...
Other information:
Removal
WARNING:
Disconnect the 12 volt battery before servicing the direct
current to alternating current (DC-AC) inverter or alternating current
(AC) powerpoint to prevent the risk of high voltage shock. Failure to
follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury...
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenance
schedule helps protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance and may help to
increase the value of your vehicle when
you sell or trade it. Keep all receipts for
completed maintenance with your vehicle...