Cougar V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI (2001)
Axle Shaft: Service Precautions
Handling Front Drive Halfshafts
CAUTION: To avoid to damage the halfshaft joints and boots, do not bend the inner halfshaft joint by more than 18 degrees, the outer one by not
more than 45 degrees.
NOTE: Never hold the front drive halfshaft just by the tripod joint.
Utmost care should be taken while removing/installing and disassembling/assembling the front drive halfshafts.
The following points should be observed:
^
When removing front drive halfshafts do not pull on the tripod joints.
^
Check polished surfaces and splines for damage.
^
Do not allow the boots to come into contact with sharp edges, the engine when it is hot or the exhaust system.
^
Do not drop the front drive halfshafts, as this can cause interior damage to the boots which may not be visible from the outside.
^
Do not use front drive halfshafts as levering tools for the installation of other components. The front drive halfshafts must always hang freely.
^
The tripod joint can be damaged by knocks outside the joint housing.
Wheel balancing, front
CAUTION: Using a portable wheel balancing unit when the vehicle is lifted completely off the ground will result in damage to the tripod joints or
boots, as the joint is bent a large angle and therefore overheats.
To use a portable wheel balancing unit position a trolley jack under the suspension arm opposite the wheel which is being balanced. This prevents the
joint from being bent too much when the vehicle is raised.
CAUTION: Never use the joints or front drive halfshafts as jacking points.
CAUTION: Do not attach the tow rope to the front drive halfshaft.
If possible, wheels should be removed from the vehicle and balanced in a stationary balancing machine.
Underbody protection and corrosion prevention
NOTE: The boots should be covered during application of underbody protection or corrosion prevention.
Foreign bodies can be the cause of premature material wear. Foreign bodies on shafts can cause imbalances.
