Ford Focus Repair Manual 2000-2007

GENERAL INFORMATION

Drive is transmitted from the transaxle differential to the front wheels by means of two driveaxles. The right-hand driveaxle is in two sections, and incorporates a support bearing.

The inner driveaxle boots are made of rubber and the outer boot a good resistance to external effects, like road debris and permanent loading when the steering is being turned.

Each driveaxle consists of three main components: the sliding (tripod type) inner joint, the driveaxle itself, and the outer CV (constant velocity) joint.

The inner end of the left-hand tripod joint is secured in the differential side gear by the engagement of a snap-ring. The inner tripod of the right-hand driveaxle is located in the intermediate shaft tripod housing.

The intermediate shaft is held in the transaxle by the support bearing, which in turn is supported by a bracket bolted to the rear of the cylinder block.

The outer CV joint on both driveaxles is of ball-bearing type, and is secured in the front hub by the driveaxle nut.


DRIVEAXLES | REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

REMOVAL
(Refer to illustrations 2.1, 2.5a, 2.5b, 2.5c and 2.7)

1. Remove the wheel cover (or center cover) from the wheel, apply the parking brake, and engage 1st gear or P. Loosen the driveaxle nut about half a turn (see illustration).
   
   This nut is very tight. Use only high quality, close-fitting tools, and take adequate precautions against personal injury when loosening it.



2. On models through 2002, remove the plastic cap from the top of each front suspension strut, at the inner fender mounting in the engine compartment. Holding the piston rod against rotation using an Allen key, loosen each strut's center nut by five full turns using a large box wrench.
   
   On 2003 and later models, do not loosen the center nut, but instead loosen the three mounting nuts 5 turns, on the left-hand strut only. On 2004 and later models, only loosen the nuts four turns.



3. To avoid spillage when the driveaxles are separated from the MTX 75 transaxle, drain the transaxle fluid, as described in Chapter 7A.
   
   On models with no draining facilities, use a suitable container to catch the oil/fluid when the driveaxle has been removed.



4. Loosen the front wheel retaining nuts. Apply the parking brake, jack up the front of the vehicle and support it on axle stands. Remove the wheel.

TESTING

9. Before assuming the thermostat is to blame for a cooling system problem, check the coolant level (see Chapter 1), the auxiliary drive belt tension and condition, and the temperature gauge operation.



10. If the engine seems to be taking a long time to warm up (based on heater output or temperature gauge operation), the thermostat is probably stuck open. Replace the thermostat.



11. Equally, a lengthy warm-up period might suggest that the thermostat is missing. It may have been removed or inadvertently omitted by a previous owner or mechanic.
    
    Don't drive the vehicle without a thermostat. The engine management system's PCM will stay in warm-up mode for longer than necessary, causing emissions and fuel economy to suffer.

• Tune-up and routine maintenance
• 2.0L SPI engine
• 2.0L Zetec-E engine
• 2.3L and 2005 2.0L engines
• Engine and overhaul procedures
• Cooling, heating and air-conditioning systems
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• Engine electrical systems
• Emissions control systems
• Clutch
• Manual transaxle
• Automatic transaxle
• Brakes
• Suspension and steering systems
• Body; Chassis electrical system
• Wiring diagrams