Removal/Installation

If removing both right and left side halfshafts, appropriate plugs must be installed. Failure to do so may result in dislocation of differential side gears, necessitating transaxle disassembly to re-align the gears.
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove wheel and splash shield.
3. Raise staked portion of halfshaft retaining nut using suitable tool.
4. Remove retaining nut and discard.

Fig. 1 Halfshaft Removal. Except 1.8L RH Halfshaft:

Fig. 2 Halfshaft Removal. 1.8L RH Halfshaft:

5. Remove cotter pin from tie rod end and separate tie rod end from steering knuckle using a suitable tie rod remover tool, Figs. 1 and 2.
6. Remove lower ball joint clamp bolt and pry down on lower control arm to separate ball joint from steering knuckle.
7. Remove lefthand halfshaft as follows:
a. Pull outward on steering knuckle/brake assembly.
b. Carefully pull halfshaft from the steering knuckle and position knuckle aside.
c. Support transaxle with a suitable jack stand.
d. Remove four transaxle mount to crossmember nuts.
e. Remove two rear crossmember attaching nuts.
f. Support rear of crossmember then remove two front mounting bolts and remove crossmember.
8. On all models, position a suitable drain pan under transaxle.
9. On 1.8L engine righthand side halfshaft, remove three dynamic damper mounting bolts.
10. On all models, insert a pry bar between halfshaft and the transaxle case.
11. Remove halfshaft.
11. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Position circlip on inner CV joint spline on circlip gap is at top. Lubricate splines lightly with Motorcraft XG-1-c grease or equivalent.
b. Position halfshaft so CV joint splines are aligned with differential side gears splines. Push halfshaft into differential.
c. Torque crossmember bolts and nuts to 47-66 ft. lbs.
d. Torque transaxle to crossmember nuts to 32-43 ft. lbs.
e. Torque tie rod end nuts and ball joint clamp bolt to 31-42 ft. lbs.
f. Torque halfshaft retaining nut to 174-235 ft. lbs.
g. Stake retaining nut into place. If nut splits or cracks after staking, replace with a new nut.