I looked around for a how to thread on how to remove and install halfshafts but didnt find anything very good so i decided to make one myself.
Tools needed:
-Impact gun or large 1/2in breaker bar
-36mm deep socket
-hammer (might not need it but i did)
-3/8in socket wrench
-3/8in 18mm socket
-18mm box wrench or cresent wrench
-1/4in socket wrench
-1/4in 8mm deep socket
-1/4in extension (dont need it but it always makes things easier)
-pry bar
-pliers
-floor jack
-jack stands (I used 4 to lift the whole car)
step 1: once you have the wheel off use the 36mm deep socket to remove the axel nut
step 2: use your floor jack to lift up the wheel hub about 3-4 inches
step 3: locate the crown nut to the left of the rotor, pull the cotter pin out with the pliers, then use the 18mm socket to remove the bolt.
step 4: separate the rod (not sure what its actually called) from the wheel hub and push it aside. i had problems doing this, so i threaded the crown nut upside down until it was almost flush with the top of the threads to keep from messing up the threads, then i beat it out with a hammer. then took off the nut so i could pull it the rest of the way out
step 5: lower the jack and put it aside until you are ready to put that rod back in
step 6: remove the bolt holding the E-brake cable to the IRS using a 8mm socket. then put the bolt back in so u dont lose it
step 7: locate the nut and bolt on top that is holding the wheel hub and remove it using a 18mm socket on one side and 18mm wrench on the other side, once you get the nut off wiggle the bolt out. once you do this the hub will fall towards you about 2 inches.
step 8: locate the same nut and bolt at the bottom of the hub and remove them with the same tools. now the hub will drop down. move it to the side and set it down on the ground. your brake lines should be long enough to reach the ground depending on how high you jacked the car up. you do NOT have to remove the brake calipers.
note: half of my halfshaft came out with the hub because of how it broke as you can see in the picture above. if your halfshaft isnt broken and you are just upgrading, pull the hub towards you and the halfshaft should slide out of the hub. if it doesnt you can rent a wheel puller from Autozone the part number is 27037. it looks like this
step 9: locate the blot holding the bottom of the shock in. using a 18mm socket, loosen the bolt about an inch. the nut should still be on the back of the bolt
step 10: wiggle the shock over until its flush with the head of the bolt. this is to make enough room for the halfshaft to slide through.
step 11: get under the car, and pry the halfshaft out of the differential with the pry bar. it will kinda just pop out a little and you will be able to slide it the rest of the way out with your hands. (no you wont lose any differential fluid once the halfshaft comes out)
step 12: your halfshaft might just slide through the gap you made when you moved the shock over. if not you can loosen the bolt for the shock over a little more to make more room then wiggle it the rest of the way out
step 13: once your halfshaft is out, repeat steps 1-12 in reverse order to install your new halfshafts.
note: I had some difficulty getting the new halfshaft to slide into the hub, but it just took some playing around with and it slid in like butter. im not sure if there is a specific torque setting for the axle nut once you put it back on. i just used my impact gun on it until it stopped. I've driven around on it for a couple days now and it is a smooth ride and the halfshaft is still in good condition.
here are some better pictures of my broken halfshaft.
good luck. I hope this helps.:beer:
Tools needed:
-Impact gun or large 1/2in breaker bar
-36mm deep socket
-hammer (might not need it but i did)
-3/8in socket wrench
-3/8in 18mm socket
-18mm box wrench or cresent wrench
-1/4in socket wrench
-1/4in 8mm deep socket
-1/4in extension (dont need it but it always makes things easier)
-pry bar
-pliers
-floor jack
-jack stands (I used 4 to lift the whole car)
step 1: once you have the wheel off use the 36mm deep socket to remove the axel nut
step 2: use your floor jack to lift up the wheel hub about 3-4 inches
step 3: locate the crown nut to the left of the rotor, pull the cotter pin out with the pliers, then use the 18mm socket to remove the bolt.
step 4: separate the rod (not sure what its actually called) from the wheel hub and push it aside. i had problems doing this, so i threaded the crown nut upside down until it was almost flush with the top of the threads to keep from messing up the threads, then i beat it out with a hammer. then took off the nut so i could pull it the rest of the way out
step 5: lower the jack and put it aside until you are ready to put that rod back in
step 6: remove the bolt holding the E-brake cable to the IRS using a 8mm socket. then put the bolt back in so u dont lose it
step 7: locate the nut and bolt on top that is holding the wheel hub and remove it using a 18mm socket on one side and 18mm wrench on the other side, once you get the nut off wiggle the bolt out. once you do this the hub will fall towards you about 2 inches.
step 8: locate the same nut and bolt at the bottom of the hub and remove them with the same tools. now the hub will drop down. move it to the side and set it down on the ground. your brake lines should be long enough to reach the ground depending on how high you jacked the car up. you do NOT have to remove the brake calipers.
note: half of my halfshaft came out with the hub because of how it broke as you can see in the picture above. if your halfshaft isnt broken and you are just upgrading, pull the hub towards you and the halfshaft should slide out of the hub. if it doesnt you can rent a wheel puller from Autozone the part number is 27037. it looks like this
step 9: locate the blot holding the bottom of the shock in. using a 18mm socket, loosen the bolt about an inch. the nut should still be on the back of the bolt
step 10: wiggle the shock over until its flush with the head of the bolt. this is to make enough room for the halfshaft to slide through.
step 11: get under the car, and pry the halfshaft out of the differential with the pry bar. it will kinda just pop out a little and you will be able to slide it the rest of the way out with your hands. (no you wont lose any differential fluid once the halfshaft comes out)
step 12: your halfshaft might just slide through the gap you made when you moved the shock over. if not you can loosen the bolt for the shock over a little more to make more room then wiggle it the rest of the way out
step 13: once your halfshaft is out, repeat steps 1-12 in reverse order to install your new halfshafts.
note: I had some difficulty getting the new halfshaft to slide into the hub, but it just took some playing around with and it slid in like butter. im not sure if there is a specific torque setting for the axle nut once you put it back on. i just used my impact gun on it until it stopped. I've driven around on it for a couple days now and it is a smooth ride and the halfshaft is still in good condition.
here are some better pictures of my broken halfshaft.
good luck. I hope this helps.:beer:
. Write-up & pics definitely helps, now I have a beautiful new axle. :banana: I Sharkhided everything, so it should stay looking brand new. Now my driver's half-shaft looks like shit, and I want to replace it! Why can't Ford paint some of this metal. Surface rust is not a good look! But thanks again!
