How to Replace Rear CV Axle 06-10 Ford Explorer

Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Ford Explorer

Replace the rear CV axle on a 2006-2010 Ford Explorer.

Steps

1. Remove the wheel

   Pry off the center cap, soak the axle nut in penetrant and remove it, thread it back on partway, then loosen the five lug nuts, raise and support the truck, and slide the wheel off.

2. Remove the brake rotor

   Remove the caliper's two 10mm bolts, push the piston in with a screwdriver, lift the caliper off and secure it with a bungee cord, then slide the rotor off the hub.

3. Disconnect the parking brake and ABS sensor

   Unclip the parking brake cable from its frame bracket, pull its spring back at the wheel with a trim tool and release the cable from its tab, then remove the ABS sensor's single 8mm bolt and take it off the hub.

4. Remove the old axle

   Support the knuckle with a jack, remove the three 24mm knuckle bolts and lower the control arm, remove the three 21mm bolts at the back of the knuckle, remove the axle nut, drive the axle out of the hub and pull the knuckle off, then pry the axle out of the differential.

5. Install the new axle

   Coat the new axle's splines with gear oil, push it into the differential, set the knuckle back in place and insert the axle into the hub, thread the axle nut on by hand, start the three 24mm bolts, apply thread locker to the three 21mm bolts and torque them to about 203 ft-lb, then raise the suspension to ride height and torque the 24mm bolts to the same spec.

6. Reinstall the ABS sensor and parking brake

   Refit the sensor and its bolt, then reconnect the parking brake cable to its wheel tab and frame bracket.

7. Reinstall the wheel

   Torque the lug nuts to about 100 ft-lb in a star pattern, then torque the axle nut to about 203 ft-lb and press the center cap back on.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.