Universal Joints
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The U-joints consist of the following:
- A single spider (cross)
- Lubed-for-life design and require no periodic lubrication
- Nylon thrust washers, located at each base of the bearing cup, which control end play, position the needle bearing and improve grease movement
- Grease seals located at the opening of each bearing cup to retain the grease for the bearing lubrication
- Bearing cups that retain the needle bearings and locate the spider on the centerline of the shaft bore to control shaft runout and balance
The U-joints are staked in place and are not serviced individually. If worn or damaged, install a new driveshaft assembly.
The U-joints in this driveshaft assembly allow the driveshaft tubes to rotate smoothly through the varying angles of the Power Transfer Unit (PTU), the center support bearings and the Rear Drive Unit (RDU). The angles that cause the U-joints to accelerate and decelerate may cause vibration in the driveshaft assembly if the angles are either too great or too small. Refer to DRIVELING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.