How to Repair 1998 Escort Axle Shafts & CV Joints

The axle shafts and CV joints in your 1998 Ford Escort help to deliver the power to the drive wheels. One end of the axle is connected to the transaxle, while the other end of the shaft is connected to the wheel hub at the drive wheels. Over time, the CV boots tend to rip due to the high angle of deflection of the outer CV boot. This happens as a result of normal driving. Unfortunately, you'll never know that the axle and CV shaft are worn or failing until the CV joint begins to grind. Once the joint is grinding, the entire shaft must be replaced. This is the only safe way to repair the shaft and CV joint.

Things You'll Need

• Tire wrench
• Jack with 2 jack stands
• Pliers
• Spindle nut socket
• Socket wrench with socket set
• Impact wrench with air compressor
• Ball joint removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Zip-ties
• Hard grease
• New cotter pin

Instructions

1. Break the lug nuts loose on the wheels with a tire wrench by turning the lug nuts 45 degrees counterclockwise with a socket wrench.

2. Engage the emergency brake and jack up the front of the car. Use the front jack point located behind the radiator.

3. Finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheel from the wheel hub.

4. Remove the spindle nut with a spindle nut socket and an impact wrench.

5. Remove the mounting bolts on the brake caliper, pull the caliper off the brake rotor and secure it to the coil springs above the brake system using zip-ties.

6. Support the lower control arm with a floor jack to remove the load from the upper mounting nuts on the control arm.

7. Detach the brake hose mounting bracket by removing the retaining bolt.

8. Unbolt the steering knuckle pinch bolt at the bottom of the strut. Separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle by wedging the ball joint separator tool between the control arm and steering knuckle and hitting the end of the tool's handle with a hammer.

9. Swing the knuckle and hub out of the way and pull the shaft out of the hub assembly.

10. Pry the axle shaft out of the transmission with a flat-head screwdriver.

11. Remove the shaft from the transmission and insert the new shaft. Make sure the snap ring side of the axle is inserted into the transmission and that it clicks. If the snap ring doesn't click into place, the axle is not secure in the transmission and will come out while driving.

12. Insert the other end of the shaft into the hub assembly. Then, reconnect the lower control arm and steering knuckle.

13. Put the wheels back the hub and tighten the lug nuts before lowering the car to the ground. Set the torque wrench dial to 100 pound-feet and turn each lug nut until the wrench reads 100 pound-feet. Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern.

References

• Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer Repair & Service Manual 1991-2000; Alan Ahlstrand, John H. Haynes; 2000