Visually inspect the CV joints, boot, boot seals and clamps for obvious signs of mechanical damage.
If an obvious cause for the 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 the Symptom Chart: NVH.
Symptom Chart
The diagnosis in this manual assumes a certain level of skill and knowledge of Ford-approved diagnostic procedures. REFER TO: Diagnostic Methods (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
Symptom Chart: NVH
Symptom Chart
Condition
Action
Howl or whine from the axle - front or rear axle
GO to Pinpoint Test A
Transmission clunk - loud clunk when shifting from REVERSE to DRIVE.
GO to Pinpoint Test B
Transmission shudder (front-wheel drive) (FWD vehicles) - occurs during acceleration or when changing from cruise to coasting/deceleration
GO to Pinpoint Test C
Transmission shudder - occurs when the vehicle begins to move forward from a stop.
GO to Pinpoint Test D
Clicking, popping or snapping - occurs during vehicle turns.
GO to Pinpoint Test E
Grunt - usually associated with driveline shuck experienced during acceleration from a complete stop.
GO to Pinpoint Test F
Transmission vibration - occurs at cruising speeds.
GO to Pinpoint Test G
Pinpoint Tests
DIAGNOSTIC TEST A: HOWL OR WHINE - FRONT OR REAR AXLE
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Damaged or worn wheel hub bearings
A1 CHECK THE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS
Inspect the wheel hub bearings.
Was play or damage found in the wheel hub bearing?
Yes
Install a new wheel hub bearing. Refer to: Front Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST B: TRANSMISSION SHUDDER - HARSH SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Damaged or worn constant velocity (CV) joints
Loose hub nut
B1 CHECK THE HUB NUT TORQUE
Check the hub nut torque.
Is the hub nut loose?
Yes
Tighten the hub nut to specification. Refer to: Front Driveshaft, Left (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Driveshaft, Right (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to B3
B2 CHECK THE TORQUE OF THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING FASTENERS
Check the torque of the lower arm nut.
Check the torque of the steering tie-rod nut.
Check the torque of the stabilizer bar link nut.
Check the torque of the upper arm nut (if equipped).
Check the torque of the lower arm nut.
Is any suspension or steering fastener loose?
Yes
Tighten the fasteners to specification. Refer to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Stabilizer Bar (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Outer Tie-Rod End (211-02 Power Steering System, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to B3
B3 CHECK THE CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT BOOTS AND JOINTS FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE
Inspect the CV joint boots and joints for wear or damage.
Was any damage found?
Yes
Inspect the CV joints and axle shaft. Replace components as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST C: TRANSMISSION SHUDDER (FWD VEHICLES) - OCCURS DURING ACCELERATION OR FROM CRUISE/DECELERATION
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Damaged or worn constant velocity (CV) joints
Loose hub nut
C1 CHECK THE HUB NUT TORQUE
Check the hub nut torque.
Is the hub nut loose?
Yes
Tighten the hub nut to specification. Refer to: Front Driveshaft, Left (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Driveshaft, Right (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to C3
C2 CHECK THE TORQUE OF THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM FASTENERS
Check the torque of the lower arm nut.
Check the torque of the steering tie-rod nut.
Check the torque of the stabilizer bar link nut.
Check the torque of the upper arm nut (if equipped).
Check the torque of the lower arm nut.
Is any suspension or steering fastener loose?
Yes
Tighten the fasteners to specification. Refer to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Stabilizer Bar (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Outer Tie-Rod End (211-02 Power Steering System, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to C3
C3 CHECK THE CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT BOOTS AND CLAMPS FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE
Inspect the CV joint boots and joints for wear or damage.
Was any damage found?
Yes
Inspect the CV joints and axle shaft. Replace components as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST D: TRANSMISSION SHUDDER - OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING FORWARD FROM A STOP
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Loose hub nut
D1 CHECK FOR LOOSE HUB NUT
Check the hub nut for looseness.
Is any hub nut loose?
Yes
Tighten to specification. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to D2
D2 CHECK THE TORQUE OF THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM FASTENERS
Check the torque of the lower arm nut.
Check the torque of the steering tie-rod nut.
Check the torque of the stabilizer bar link nut.
Check the torque of the upper arm nut (if equipped).
Check the torque of the lower arm nut.
Is any suspension or steering fastener loose?
Yes
Tighten the fasteners to specification. Refer to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Stabilizer Bar (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Outer Tie-Rod End (211-02 Power Steering System, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST E: CLICKING, POPPING OR SNAPPING - OCCURS DURING VEHICLE TURNS
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Insufficient or contaminated grease in the constant velocity (CV) joints
Another component contacting the axle shaft
Axle shaft or axle shaft retaining ring
E1 CHECK THE CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT BOOTS AND CONNECTIONS FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE
Inspect the CV joint boots and joints for wear or damage.
Was wear or damage found?
Yes
Inspect the CV joints and axle shaft. Replace components as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to E2
E2 CHECK THE AXLE SHAFTS FOR CONTACT WITH OTHER COMPONENTS
Check the axle shafts for contact with other components.
Is there contact between other components and the axle shaft?
Yes
Repair as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
GO to E3
E3 CHECK THE AXLE SHAFT OR AXLE SHAFT BOOT
Inspect the axle shaft or the axle shaft retaining ring.
Was any damage found?
Yes
Install the axle shaft or axle shaft retaining ring as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST F: CLUNK, TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A JERK FELT DURING ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Constant velocity (CV) joint connection
F1 CHECK THAT THE OUTBOARD CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT IS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE HUB
Check that the outboard constant velocity joint is properly seated in the hub.
Is the outboard constant velocity (CV) joint properly seated in the hub?
Yes
Repair as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST G: DRIVESHAFT VIBRATION - OCCURS AT CLUNK SPEED
Normal Operation and Fault Symptoms
Driveshafts transmit rotational motion through constant velocity joints. The outboard CV joints use balls, have no length compensation and engage the wheel hub splines. The intermediate shaft (right side) is positioned and retained in the differential by the intermediate shaft center bearing. The left CV joint is retained in the differential by a snap ring.
Possible Sources
Improperly seated constant velocity (CV) joint in the wheel hub
G1 CHECK THAT THE OUTBOARD CONSTANT VELOCITY (CV) JOINT IS PROPERLY SEATED IN THE HUB
Check that the outboard CV joint is properly seated in the hub.
Is the outboard constant velocity (CV) joint properly seated in the hub?
Yes
Repair as necessary. Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, LH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation). Refer to: Front Axle Shaft, RH (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
No
Inspect the vehicle for other symptoms related to the driveshafts.
?
Test yourself
A quick Ford Escape quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST A: HOWL OR WHINE - FRONT OR REAR AXLE