Front Wheel Drive Replacement (Escort 3)

Loosen the front wheel mounting bolts and unscrew the hub mounting nut. Raise the front of the vehicle. Unscrew the gear selector rod retainer nut and drain the oil from the gearbox. Save the retainer spring. Disconnect the suspension arm from the steering knuckle and from the body (Fig. 3.52).



Using a large screwdriver or lever, sharply knock the inner joint out of the axle gear, moving the wheel outward. Hang the wheel drive so that the bending angle of the inner joint does not exceed 20°, and the outer joint 45°. Remove the wheel, remove and hang the caliper. Remove the brake disc, then use a two-arm puller to remove the hub; remove the wheel drive.

NOTE: If both drive shafts are removed, lock the axle gears using plastic mandrels.

Install the drive shaft into the steering knuckle and into the differential. Install the hub onto the shaft splines and, using tool 14.022 (Fig. 3.53), tighten the shaft, install a new washer and hub fastening nut, without tightening.



Install the brake disc and secure the caliper to the steering knuckle. Install the wheel. Install a new retaining ring 3 (fig. 3.51) and, pressing on the wheel, install the inner joint shaft into the differential axle gear, while the locking ring should go into the annular groove of the gear. Install the suspension arm in place. Fill the gearbox with oil and lower the car. Tighten the hub nut to a torque of 7.0-10.0 kgf·m.

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