205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts 2014 Fiesta
Diagnosis and Testing Procedure revision date: 03/19/2013

Front Drive Halfshafts

Inspection and Verification

  1. Verify the customer concern.
  1. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical or electrical damage.
  1. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step
  1. If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and refer to the Symptom Chart.

Symptom Chart

  Symptom Chart


Condition Possible Sources Actions
Axle howling or whine - front of vehicle
  • Damaged or worn wheel hub bearings
  • CHECK for abnormal wheel hub bearing play or roughness.
    REFER to: Front Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Driveline clunk - loud clunk when shifting from REVERSE to DRIVE
  • Damaged or worn Constant Velocity (CV) joints
  • INSPECT the Constant Velocity (CV) joints for wear or damage. INSTALL a new halfshaft or driveshaft as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
  • Loose hub nut
  • CHECK the torque on the hub nut. REPLACE the hub nut if the torque is not at specification. For front hub nuts.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
Driveline clunk — occurs during acceleration or from cruise to coast/deceleration
  • Damaged or worn Constant Velocity (CV) joints
  • INSPECT the inner Constant Velocity (CV) joint and boot. INSTALL a new halfshaft as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
  • Loose hub nut
  • CHECK the torque on the hub nut. REPLACE the hub nut if the torque is not at specification.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
Driveline clunk — occurs as the vehicle starts to move forward following a stop
  • Loose hub nut
  • CHECK the torque on the hub nut. REPLACE the hub nut if the torque is not at specification.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
Clicking, popping or grinding - occurs while the vehicle is turning
  • Inadequate or contaminated lubrication in the Constant Velocity (CV) joints
  • CHECK the Constant Velocity (CV) boots and joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
  • Another component contacting the halfshaft
  • CHECK the halfshafts and the area around the halfshafts. REPAIR as necessary.
Grunting — normally associated with a shudder experienced during acceleration from a complete stop
  • Halfshaft Constant Velocity (CV) joint binding
  • CHECK the outer Constant Velocity (CV) joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds
  • Incorrectly seated Constant Velocity (CV) joint in the wheel hub
  • CHECK the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft LH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).
    REFER to: Front Wheel Bearing (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and Installation).
Grinding noise - after RH halfshaft has been removed and reinstalled
  • Halfshaft bearing retainer strap and nuts were not discarded and replaced
  • Replace the retainer strap and nuts. If concern persists, replace the halfshaft, halfshaft bracket, retainer strap and nuts.
    REFER to: Front Halfshaft RH (205-04 Front Drive Halfshafts, Removal and Installation).




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