Escort L4-116 1.9L SOHC HO (1989)
Propeller Shaft: Service and Repair
If removing both right and left side halfshafts, plugs T81P-1177B or equivalent must be installed. Failure to do so may result in dislocation of
differential side gears, necessitating transaxle disassembly to re-align the gears. Also, halfshaft removal and installation procedures are the
same for manual and automatic transaxles except for the following: due to automatic transaxle case configuration the right side halfshaft
assembly must be removed first. Tool T81P-4026A or equivalent is then inserted into transaxle to remove left side inner constant velocity joint
assembly from transaxle. If only the left side halfshaft is to be removed from the vehicle, remove right side halfshaft assembly from the
transaxle case only and secure to underside of vehicle, then remove left side halfshaft assembly. The hub nut and lower control arm to steering
knuckle attaching bolt and nut must be discarded after removal and new nuts and bolts installed.
Driveshaft assembly removal and installation procedures are the same for ATX/FLC (automatic transaxle) applications as for MTX (manual transaxle)
applications except the ATX/FLC case configuration requires that the righthand halfshaft assembly be removed first. Differential rotator T81P-4026-A
or equivalent, should then be inserted into the transaxle to drive the lefthand inboard constant velocity joint assembly from the transaxle. If only the
lefthand halfshaft assembly is to be removed for service, remove the righthand halfshaft assembly from the transaxle only. After removal, support it with
a length of wire, then drive the lefthand halfshaft assembly from the transaxle case. Do not begin this removal procedure unless the following parts
are known to be available, a new hub retainer nut, a new longer lower control arm to steering knuckle attaching bolt and nut and a new
inboard constant velocity joint stub shaft snap ring. Once removed, these components must not be reused during the assembly procedure. Their
torque holding ability or retention capability is greatly diminished during removal.
1.
Loosen hub nut without unstaking. Use of a chisel or similar tool to unstake nut may damage spindle threads.
2.
Raise and support vehicle and remove wheel assemblies.
3.
Remove hub nut and washer. Discard hub attaching nut, it is a torque prevailing design and cannot be reused.
4.
Remove bolt attaching brake hose routing clip to suspension strut.
5.
Remove nut from ball joint to steering knuckle attaching bolt, then drive bolt from knuckle using suitable punch and hammer. Discard bolt and
nut, they are torque prevailing design and cannot be reused.
Fig. 1 Separating Ball Joint From Steering Knuckle
Fig. 2 Halfshaft From Differential Housing Removal