Ford 4L3Z-4635-A U-Joint Repair Kit

A press or large vise will be required for this procedure. It may be advisable to take the driveshaft to a local dealer service department, service station or machine shop where the universal joints can be replaced for you, normally at a reasonable charge. The front driveshafts on 2009 and later models use CV joints Instead of U-joints. These CV Joints are not rebuildable; they must be replaced. Remove the driveshaft. Use a small pair of pliers to remove the snap-rings from the spider. A pair of needle-nose pliers can be used to remove the universal joint snap-rings. Supporting the driveshaft, place it in position on a workbench equipped with a vise. Place a piece of pipe or a large socket, having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the bearing caps, over one of the bearing caps. Position a socket with an outside diameter slightly smaller than that of the opposite bearing cap against the cap. Use the vise or press to force the bearing cap out. Use the vise or large pliers to work the bearing cap the rest of the way out. Transfer the sockets to the other side and press the opposite bearing cap out in the same manner. Pack the new universal joint bearings with grease. Ordinarily, specific instructions for lubrication will be included with the universal joint servicing kit and should be followed carefully. Position the spider in the yoke and partially install one bearing cap in the yoke. Start the spider into the bearing cap and then partially install the other cap. Align the spider and press the bearing caps into position, being careful not to damage the dust seals. Install the snap-rings. If difficulty is encountered in seating the snap-rings, strike the driveshaft yoke sharply with a hammer. This will spring the yoke ears slightly and allow the snap-rings to seat in the groove. If the snap-ring will not seat in the groove, strike the yoke with a brass hammer - this will relieve the tension that has set up in the yoke and slightly spring the yoke ears. If equipped, install the grease fitting and fill the joint with grease. Be careful not to overfill the joint, as this could blow out the grease seals. Install the driveshaft.

Driveshaft on the other hand is a tube linking the transfer case or the transmission to the rear or front axle with universal joints at both ends so as to allow the power to be transmitted to the wheels in a position that is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A long wheelbase model is equipped with two shafts connected with a universal joint and sustained by a bearing. Some of the driveshafts incorporate a splined slip yoke at one end for engagement with the transmission extension housing; others are provided with a slip yoke as part of the driveshaft, to allow for variation in length due to suspension travel. There is an oil seal on the models with the slip yoke at the front for the protection of the component against fluid leaks and contaminants; in case of leakage, the seal should be replaced. Driveshaft assemblies need little or no servicing: most universal joints on vehicles without greasable fittings are permanently sealed and need replacing when worn, whereby the entire assembly has to be pulled out of the vehicle. One should clean the driveshaft and check if there are any damages, and if the balancing weights are still present and screwed tightly, and the driveshaft must be replaced back to the initial position as this will help in balancing. Driveshaft complaints are usually in the form of noise and vibrations while driving and a road test can be used to ascertain whether the driveshaft or other components are at fault. To determine worn universal joints, one has to drive at low speed, apply the brakes and then rev to hear abnormal clunking sound, coast in neutral to hear abnormal driveline sound, and when manually rotating the driveshaft the universal joints must be checked for much play.

After packing the new universal joint bearings with grease, position the spider and bearing caps, press them into place, and install the snap-rings. Be cautious not to damage the dust seals. Add grease and install the driveshaft.

Install the grease fitting (if equipped) and fill the joint with grease, being careful not to overfill the joint as this could blow out the grease seals.

4L3Z4635B IS WHAT WE SHOW PER VIN, ILLUSTRATION SHOWS CLIP TYPE