Ford Fusion Quiz
Chassis

Front Drive Axle Shafts - Diagnosis and Testing

In this manual: Chassis
General Information — 26Chassis — 150Powertrain — 282Electrical — 271Body and Paint — 300
3steps
~18min
2/5difficulty
Done 0 of 3

Preliminary Inspection

  1. Visually inspect the CV joints, boot, boot seals and clamps for obvious signs of mechanical damage.
  2. If an obvious cause for the observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
  3. 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 Possible Sources Action
Howl or whine from the axle - front or rear axle
  • Damaged or worn wheel hub bearings
  • CHECK the wheel hub bearing for excessive play or roughness.
    Refer to: Front Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Transmission clunk - loud clunk when shifting from REVERSE to DRIVE.
  • Damaged or worn constant velocity (CV) joints
  • CHECK the constant velocity (CV) joint for wear or damage. INSTALL a new axle shaft or driveshaft, as necessary.
    Refer to: Right Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
    Refer to: Left Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
  • Loose hub nut
  • CHECK the hub nut torque. REPLACE the hub nut if the torque does not meet the specification. For front hub nuts.
    Refer to: Right Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
    Refer to: Left Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
Transmission shudder (front-wheel drive) (FWD vehicles) - occurs during acceleration or when changing from cruise to coasting/deceleration
  • Damaged or worn constant velocity (CV) joints
  • CHECK the inboard CV joint and boot. INSTALL a new axle shaft, if necessary.
    Refer to: Right Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
    Refer to: Left Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
  • Loose hub nut
  • CHECK the wheel hub nut torque. REPLACE the wheel hub nut if the torque does not meet specification.
    REFER TO: Right Front Driveshaft (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER TO: Front Driveshaft, Left (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
Transmission shudder - occurs when the vehicle begins to move forward from a stop.
  • Loose hub nut
  • CHECK the wheel hub nut torque. REPLACE the wheel hub nut if the torque does not meet specification.
    REFER TO: Right Front Driveshaft (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER TO: Front Driveshaft, Left (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
Clicking, popping or snapping - occurs during vehicle turns.
  • Insufficient or contaminated grease in the constant velocity (CV) joints
  • INSPECT the constant velocity (CV) boots and joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary.
    REFER TO: Right Front Driveshaft (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER TO: Front Driveshaft, Left (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
  • INSPECT the axle shafts and the area around the axle shafts. REPAIR as necessary.
  • CHECK the axle shafts and the areas around the axle shafts. Install the outboard axle shaft thrust washer between the outboard CV joint housing and the hub interface, if necessary.
  • Another component contacting the axle shaft
  • INSPECT the axle shafts and the area around the axle shafts. REPAIR as necessary.
Grunt - usually associated with driveline shuck experienced during acceleration from a complete stop.
  • Axle shaft to hub interface.
  • INSTALL or REPLACE the thrust washer between the axle shaft and the hub. The nylon surface must face outward toward the hub/splines.
Clunk, clicking or popping from the front wheel area when accelerating from a stop or when shifting between drive/reverse and/or reverse/drive.
  • Constant velocity (CV) joint connection
  • CHECK the outboard constant velocity (CV) joint for proper seating in the hub. REPAIR as necessary.
    Refer to: Right Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
    Refer to: Left Front Axle Shaft (205-04 Front Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
Transmission vibration - occurs at cruising speeds.
  • Improperly seated constant velocity (CV) joint in the wheel hub
  • CHECK the outer CV joint for proper seating in the hub. REPAIR as necessary.
    REFER TO: Right Front Driveshaft (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER TO: Left Front Driveshaft (205-04 Front Driveshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER TO: Front Wheel Bearing and Hub (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).

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