Mercury F5TZ-3B414-B Joint And Stub Shaft Assy

To remove the front wheels, loosen the lug nuts and raise the front of the vehicle on jackstands. Remove front brake calipers, locking hubs, wheel bearings, and locknuts. Take out the spindle by tapping it and get rid of the spindle seat. The shaft and joint assembly should be pulled out from left side. On the right side, remove the clamps, slide the rubber boot onto the stub shaft and pull out the shaft and joint assembly. For spindle bearing and oil seal replacement, remove the bearing and oil seal with a slide hammer and puller attachment. Clean the spindle bore and install a new bearing and seal. To replace axleshaft assembly universal joint, remove snap-rings, and proceed as for driveshaft universal joints. Press slinger onto spindle, install rubber boot with clamps on stub shaft slip yoke to reassemble. Slide through knuckle shaft and joint assembly engaging splines. Install splash shield, spindle, wheel bearings, locking hubs, brake caliper, and front wheels.

Precautions include disconnecting the ABS sensor, removing the hub driveaxle/nut without using a hammer to prevent driveaxle damage, and carefully guiding the outer CV joint out of the hub during disassembly.

Remove the rear brake drums or discs/calipers. Remove the nuts and bolts that secure the brake backing plate (or disc brake adapter and dust shield) to the axle. Detach the vent hose from the axle housing. Securing the axle housing to a transmission jack is essential to facilitate the controlled and safe removal of the axle.

Precautions include having the slinger pressed on by a machine shop, proper installation of the rubber boot and metal clamps, aligning the yoke ears, and following a specific sequence for reinstalling components such as the spindle, wheel bearings, locking hubs, and brake caliper.

Overhaul and general repair of the rear axle require axleshaft removal and installation, axleshaft oil seal replacement, axleshaft bearing replacement, and removal of the entire unit for repair or replacement.

Installation is otherwise the reverse of removal.

Install a new driveaxle/hub nut and tighten it to the torque specifications.

Remove the U-bolt nuts that secure the shock mounting bracket to the axle. Do not remove the lower shock absorber bolt or detach the shock absorber from the bracket.

Raise the front of the vehicle, support it securely on jackstands, and remove the front wheels.

Detach the vent hose from the axle housing. The vent hose is secured to the axle by a crimp-type clamp, which needs to be replaced with a screw-type clamp.

A thorough check should be performed before assuming a rear axle problem because many times a problem suspected in the rear axle area may actually lie elsewhere.