Lincoln F5TZ-3A331-A Boot

The steering linkage and the suspension parts should also be inspected after certain periods as damaged or rusty parts usually cause odd wearage of tires, poor comfort of the ride and low fuel efficiency. To inspect the shock absorbers one ought to park the car on a level surface, switch off the engine, apply the handbrake. Ensure the tyres are well inflated and then compress a corner of the car and release and it should not rebound more than once or twice. If it's still in motion and does not assume its natural position or if it remains so, it may be so worn out that it requires replacement of its shock absorber. Perform this check on all corners and then lift the vehicle on jack stands with the air suspension switch off if equipped with the Automatic Ride Control. Check the fluids on the shock absorbers stating that any noted on them is from the shocks. Look for proper installation, and security as well as signs of abuse, if any, replace them in pairs. When it comes to the behavioral checks of the steering and suspension, look out for signs of damage, leakage or distortion of the components. Wipe the steering knuckle and have a partner articulate the tyre by wiggling the tyre to check at the ball joints; once the ball joints move, then they need replacement. Pick one of front tires and take hold in front tires and check the play in the steering linkage tight the mounts if necessary, check the ball joints for wear and tear. For front, refer to play or noise for wheel bearings, louder and more obvious on the 95 and later 4wd models which contain sealed hubs. Finally, examine the drive axle boots in 2001 and later 4WD vehicles for tears, cracks or even loose clamps and to check for leaks try to flex it; any single damage among them requires the checking of joints or boots.

The steering linkage and the suspension parts should also be inspected after certain periods as damaged or rusty parts usually cause odd wearage of tires, poor comfort of the ride and low fuel efficiency. To inspect the shock absorbers one ought to park the car on a level surface, switch off the engine, apply the handbrake. Ensure the tyres are well inflated and then compress a corner of the car and release and it should not rebound more than once or twice. If it's still in motion and does not assume its natural position or if it remains so, it may be so worn out that it requires replacement of its shock absorber. Perform this check on all corners and then lift the vehicle on jack stands with the air suspension switch off if equipped with the Automatic Ride Control. Check the fluids on the shock absorbers stating that any noted on them is from the shocks. Look for proper installation, and security as well as signs of abuse, if any, replace them in pairs. When it comes to the behavioral checks of the steering and suspension, look out for signs of damage, leakage or distortion of the components. Wipe the steering knuckle and have a partner articulate the tyre by wiggling the tyre to check at the ball joints; once the ball joints move, then they need replacement. Pick one of front tires and take hold in front tires and check the play in the steering linkage tight the mounts if necessary, check the ball joints for wear and tear. For front, refer to play or noise for wheel bearings, louder and more obvious on the 95 and later 4wd models which contain sealed hubs. Finally, examine the drive axle boots in 2001 and later 4WD vehicles for tears, cracks or even loose clamps and to check for leaks try to flex it; any single damage among them requires the checking of joints or boots.

For 1998 and later 4WD models equipped with Constant Velocity (CV) joint type driveaxle assemblies, the inboard tripod design CV joint and CV Boot are serviceable units, while the outer CV joint must be replaced as an assembly. To begin disassembly, remove the driveaxle from the vehicle and mount it in a vise, ensuring the jaws are lined with wood or rags to prevent damage. Cut and discard the boot clamps from the inner boot, then slide the boot toward the center of the shaft. Bend the retaining tabs slightly to facilitate tripod removal, then detach the tripod assembly from the outer race. Move the inner stop ring down the shaft about 1/2-inch, then slide the tripod down until the circlip is visible, remove the circlip, and take off the tripod assembly. Inspect the tripod rollers, roller bearings, and races for damage, as worn tripods cannot be rebuilt. Remove the inner stop ring and the old CV Boot, then for reassembly, slide a new clamp and inner CV joint boot onto the axleshaft, install a new inner stop ring, and attach the tripod assembly with the chamfered side inward. Push the tripod assembly down far enough to install the new circlip, then secure the tripod assembly with the inner stop ring. Fill the outer race with CV joint grease, applying some inside the CV Boot, and push the tripod assembly into the outer race, bending the retaining tabs back to their original shape. Wipe excess grease from the axle CV Boot groove, seat the CV Boot in the recessed area, and install the clamp. Equalize the pressure in the CV Boot by inserting a dull screwdriver between the CV Boot and outer race, then install the CV Boot clamp using special clamp-crimping pliers. Install a new clip on the stub axle and the driveaxle. For the outer CV joint, if any damage or excessive wear is present, the driveaxle and outer CV joint assembly must be replaced. If the CV joint is deemed serviceable, remove the inner CV joint and CV Boot, cut the CV Boot clamps, detach the CV Boot from the CV joint, and check the grease for contamination. If the grease is gritty, the CV joint must be replaced; otherwise, clean the CV joint with solvent and a soft bristle brush, ensuring all traces of solvent are removed. Inspect the cage, balls, and races for wear or damage, then install the new outer CV Boot and clamps onto the driveaxle shaft, packing the CV joint with grease and spreading the remaining grease inside the CV Boot. Finally, position the outer CV Boot on the CV joint, tighten the clamps, assemble the inner CV joint and CV Boot, and install the driveaxle.

For 4WD models equipped with Constant Velocity (CV) joint type driveaxle assemblies, the inboard tripod design CV joint and CV Boot are serviceable units, while the outer CV joint must be replaced as an assembly. To begin disassembly, remove the driveaxle from the vehicle and mount it in a vise, ensuring the jaws are lined with wood or rags to prevent damage. Cut and discard the boot clamps from the inner boot, then move the boot toward the center of the shaft. Bend the retaining tabs slightly to facilitate tripod removal, then detach the tripod assembly from the outer race. Move the inner stop ring down the shaft about 1/2-inch, then slide the tripod down until the circlip is visible, remove the circlip, and pull the tripod assembly off the axleshaft. Inspect the tripod rollers, roller bearings, and races for damage, as worn tripods cannot be rebuilt. Remove the inner stop ring and the old CV Boot, then slide a new clamp and inner CV joint boot onto the axleshaft. Install a new inner stop ring, followed by the tripod assembly with the chamfered side inward. Push the tripod assembly down far enough to install the new circlip, then secure the tripod assembly with the inner stop ring. Fill the outer race with CV joint grease, applying some inside the CV Boot, and push the tripod assembly into the outer race, bending the retaining tabs back to their original shape. Wipe excess grease from the axle CV Boot groove, seat the CV Boot, and install the clamp. Equalize the pressure in the CV Boot by inserting a dull screwdriver between the CV Boot and outer race, then install the CV Boot clamp using special pliers. Install a new clip on the stub axle and the driveaxle. For the outer CV joint, which is non-serviceable, if damage or excessive wear occurs, the driveaxle and outer CV joint assembly must be replaced. If the CV joint is deemed serviceable after inspection, remove the inner CV joint and CV Boot, cut the CV Boot clamps, and detach the CV Boot from the CV joint. Check the grease for contamination; if gritty, the CV joint must be replaced. If not contaminated, remove all grease using solvent and a soft bristle brush, then dry the CV joint thoroughly. Inspect the cage, balls, and races for wear or damage, replacing the driveaxle shaft and outer joint assembly if necessary. Install the new outer CV Boot and clamps, packing the CV joint with approximately 6.0 ounces of grease, then position the outer CV Boot on the CV joint and secure it with clamps. Finally, assemble the inner CV joint and CV Boot and install the driveaxle.