Ford 4L3Z-4635-A Universal 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.