Rear Driveline - Rumble/Clunk/Rattle

90ford08

^ NOISE - "RUMBLE, CLUNK OR RATTLE" FROM REAR OF VEHICLE - AWD MODELS

^ DRIVESHAFT - DRIVELINE ROUGHNESS - AWD MODELS

^ DRIVESHAFT - UNIVERSAL JOINTS - MAINTENANCE LUBRICATION PROCEDURE - AWD MODELS

Article No. 90-8-15

FORD: 1987-90 TEMPO

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1987-90 TOPAZ


ISSUE: A "clunk or rattle" noise from the rear of the car or a driveline roughness may be caused by dry or worn half-shaft universal joints. These conditions are usually noticed when shifting into reverse or when driving over a bump.

ACTION: Inspect the rear half-shaft universal joints for worn seals or needle bearings. If necessary, install a new universal joint kit. Refer to the following procedure for service details.

1. Raise the car on a hoist.

2. Inspect all of the rear half-shaft universal joints for excessive wear, tears or missing seals.

3. If any of these conditions are found, go to Step
7. If inspection is OK, proceed to Step 4.

4. Check for U-joint motion.

a. Grasp both the center of the rear half-shaft and the corresponding rear wheel.

b. While holding the half-shaft stationary, try to rotate the wheel.

c. Observe the U-joints for motion.

d. Perform the same operation on both sides.

5. If motion within any of the U-joints is observed, go to Step 7.

6. If conditions above are not observed, refer to the appropriate model year Tempo/Topaz Shop Manual, Section 18 for noise, vibration and harshness diagnosis procedures.

7. Replace the universal joints on the rear half-shafts with universal joint kit (FO3Z-4635-A). The new universal joints have grease fittings. Refer to the appropriate model year Tempo/Topaz Shop Manual, Section 15-25 for service details.

NOTE: UNIVERSAL JOINTS CONTAINING A GREASE FITTING REQUIRE LUBRICATION EVERY 7,500 MILES. INSTRUCT THE CUSTOMER TO HAVE THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS LUBRICATED WITH EVERY ENGINE OIL FILTER CHANGE. (MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE B). FOLLOW THE LUBRICATION STEPS BELOW.

LUBRICATION:

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2. Wipe off any contamination that may be on the U-joint grease fitting.

3. Using a grease gun filled with (ESA-MIC-75B specification) grease and a standard female end fitting.

4. Position the female fitting over the universal grease fitting.

5. Slowly pump grease into the fitting until grease is observed being pushed beyond all four (4) seals in the universal joint.

NOTE: IF LUBE DOES NOT PURGE PAST ALL FOUR SEALS, REPLACE THE U-JOINT.

6. Repeat the procedure until all rear half-shaft universal joints have been lubed.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

F03Z-4635-A Universal Joint Kit C
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 87-12-11
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage, Powertrain Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
900815A Install U-Joint Kit 2.1 Hrs.
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
4635 56
OASIS CODES: 5950, 7100, 7111, 7113, 7210