Ford Mustang Service Manual: Halfshaft Joint
Rear Drive Halfshafts (Description and Operation)
- The rear wheel drive halfshaft system consists of and operates as follows:
- Halfshafts (4K138) transmit engine torque from the rear axle housing to the rear wheels.
- Halfshafts rotate at approximately one-third the speed of a driveshaft and do not contribute to rotational vibration disturbances.
- A constant velocity (CV) joint is a mechanism for transmitting uniform torque and rotary motion while operating through a range of angles.
- CV joints at both inboard (differential) and outboard (wheel) ends provide operating smoothness.
- The inboard CV joints are plunge-type joints that provide the axial movement necessary to affect shaft length changes.
- The outboard CV joints have a higher angle capability than the inboard CV joints to accommodate suspension travel.
- Inboard and outboard CV joints connect to a splined shaft.
- A driveshaft bearing retainer circlip retains the splined inboard CV joint to the differential side gear. Install a new circlip every time you remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
- A rear axle wheel hub retainer secures the interconnecting shaft and outboard CV joint to the rear hub.
- The lubed-for-life CV joints use special CV joint grease. They require no periodic lubrication.
- To separate the halfshaft from the rear hub, press the outboard CV joint from the rear hub.
- To separate the halfshaft from the differential, apply a load to the back face of the inboard CV joint assembly to overcome the circlip.
- The halfshaft assemblies are not repairable. Install a new assembly if worn/damaged.
Halfshaft Handling
CAUTION: Never pick up or hold the halfshaft by the outboard joint.
Handle all halfshaft components carefully during removal and installation.
- Do not over-angle the CV joints.
- Damage will occur to an assembled inboard CV joint if it is over-plunged outward from the joint housing.
- Never use a hammer to remove or install the halfshafts.
- Never use the halfshaft assembly as a lever to position other components. Always support the free end of the halfshaft.
- Do not allow the boots to contact sharp edges or hot exhaust components.
- Do not drop assembled halfshafts. The impact will cut the boots from the inside without evidence of external damage.
- Inspect all machined surfaces and splines for damage.
Wheel and Tire Balancing, Rear
WARNING: Do not balance the rear wheels and tires while mounted on the vehicle.
Possible tire disintegration, differential or halfshaft failure can result, causing personal injury or extensive component damage. Use an off-vehicle wheel and tire balancer only.
Hoisting
CAUTION: Use a frame-contact hoist only. Vehicle or component damage can result if other types of hoists are used.
Never raise the vehicle using the halfshafts as lift points.
Undercoating and Rustproofing
During undercoating and rustproofing procedures, protect the boots from the coating materials.
Foreign materials on the rubber boots will cause extreme advanced wear.
Installation
Removal
NOTE: This procedure applies to both the LH and RH halfshafts.
1. CAUTION: The vehicle must be on level ground and at curb height.
Mark the rear shock absorber relative to the protective sl ...
Brake System
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Other materials:
Installation
Removal
Automatic transmission vehicles
1. Remove the flexplate. For additional information, refer to Flexplate in
this section.
Manual transmission vehicles
2. Remove the flywheel. For additional information, refer to Flywheel in this
section.
All vehicles
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Installation
Removal
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the rear brake disc (2C026).
4. Remove the differential housing cover (4033) and drain the lubricant. For
additional information,
refer to Differential Housing Co ...
Bearings - Inspection
Manual Transmission
The TR3650 five-speed manual transmission features the following:
The fifth speed gear functions as an overdrive gear.
The forward gears are synchronized and helical cut.
The reverse gear operates through a constant-mesh, fully
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