Ford Escape: Front Drive Halfshafts / Removal and Installation - Front Halfshaft LH

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

	204-161 (T97P-1175-A) Installer, Halfshaft TKIT-1997-LM2 TKIT-1997-F/FM2 TKIT-1997-FLM2
	205-D070 (D93P-1175-B) Remover, Front Wheel Hub
Tie Rod End Remover

Removal

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the retainers and the underbody shield.
   

1. Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.
   

1. 1. Remove the bolt and position aside the brake hose.
      
   2. Unclip the 2 wire retainers and position aside the wheel speed sensor wiring harness.
      

1. NOTICE: Do not use a hammer to separate the tie rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.

   NOTICE: Use care when installing the tie rod separator or damage to the tie rod end boot may occur.

   NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent turning of the stud while removing the tie rod end nut.

   Remove and discard the tie rod end nut and separate the tie rod end from the wheel knuckle. Remove the halfshaft.
   Use the General Equipment: Tie Rod End Remover

1. NOTICE: Do not use a prying device to open the slot in the knuckle to separate the lower ball joint from the knuckle assembly. Damage to the knuckle assembly may occur.

   NOTICE: Do not use a prying device or separator fork between the ball joint and the wheel knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may result. Only use the pry bar by inserting it into the lower arm body opening.

   NOTICE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position or damage to the ball joint seal may occur.

   NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the lower arm outboard nut. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

   NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the lower arm outboard nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

   Remove and discard the ball joint pinch bolt and nut and separate the lower arm from the wheel knuckle.
   

1. NOTICE: Do not bend the inner joint more than 18 degrees and the outer joint more than 45 degrees. Damage to the shaft will occur.

   Using the special tool, press the halfshaft from the wheel bearing and hub. Support the halfshaft in a level position.
   Use Special Service Tool: 205-D070 (D93P-1175-B)  Remover, Front Wheel Hub.

1. NOTE: Do not pull on the halfshaft. Pull or pry on the inner CV housing only or damage may occur.

   Remove the halfshaft.
   

1. Remove and discard the halfshaft retaining circlip.
   

Installation

1. Clean and inspect the outer CV housing.
   

1. Clean and inspect the inner CV housing.
   

1. NOTE: Make sure new component is installed.

   Install the new inner halfshaft retaining circlip.
   

1. Replace the halfshaft seal.
   Refer to: Halfshaft Seal LH (307-01A Automatic Transmission - 8-Speed Automatic Transmission – 8F35/8F40, Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: Halfshaft Seal LH (307-01B Automatic Transmission - Automatic Transmission – HF45, Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: Halfshaft Seal LH (307-01B Automatic Transmission - Automatic Transmission – HF45, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTE: Insert shaft until circlip is fully seated. When checking if circlip is seated do not pull on CV joints or damage can result.

   NOTE: Pull on the inner CV joint to ensure the halfshaft circlip is seated properly.

   Insert the halfshaft until the halfshaft retaining clip is fully seated.
   

1. Pull the halfshaft into the front wheel bearing and wheel hub.
   Use Special Service Tool: 204-161 (T97P-1175-A)  Installer, Halfshaft.

1. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the lower arm outboard nut. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may occur.

   NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the lower arm outboard nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

   Position the ball joint into the wheel knuckle and install the new ball joint pinch bolt and nut.
   Torque: 81 lb.ft (110 Nm)

1. NOTICE: Use care when installing the tie rod separator or damage to the tie rod end boot may occur.

   NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent turning of the stud while installing the tie rod end nut.

   Attach the tie rod end to the wheel knuckle and install the new tie rod end nut.
   Torque: 35 lb.ft (48 Nm)

1. 1. Position the brake hose and install the bolt.
      Torque: 97 lb.in (11 Nm)
   2. Position the wheel speed sensor wiring harness and clip the 2 wire retainers.
      

1. NOTICE: Do not tighten the front wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. The nut must be tightened to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

   NOTICE: Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification in a continuous rotation. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightened to specification in a continuous rotation or damage to the components may occur.

   NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

   While an assistant applies the brake, install the new wheel hub nut.
   Torque:
     Stage 1:  74 lb.ft (100 Nm)
     Stage 2:  60°

1. Check the transmission fluid level.
   Refer to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01A Automatic Transmission - 8-Speed Automatic Transmission – 8F35/8F40, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01B Automatic Transmission - Automatic Transmission – HF45, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01B Automatic Transmission - Automatic Transmission – HF45, General Procedures).
   

1. Install the underbody shield and tighten the retainers.
   Torque: 13 lb.in (1.5 Nm)

1. Install the wheel and tire.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).