FirstFordEdge

After replacing the driver's side axle due to a worn/pitted and noisy outer CV joint I decided to also replace the passenger side axle. I did take the outer CV joint apart and didn't see the same pitting in the outer CV joint ball races as I did on the driver's side. Overall it looked to be in good shape. I'll put new boots on the old axle and sell it or keep as a spare, it's always good to save OEM axles if possible because of all the aftermarket junk being sold these days.

Friends, I on a CV axis have questions:

1 Her it is rare where mention, I don't know what it is connected with, it is possible she is seldom damaged. for example in rockauto.com I haven't found her, perhaps I looked for not there.

2. I have found only two people who tell about replacement of a CV axis, including this subject.

3. I had had a sweating on this axis. I will attach the image and I want to learn:

- why there was a sweating on a joint of axes? Before him wasn't, lubricant from CV joint comes to light?

- what signs of malfunction of a CV axis? May I continue driving or I need to make prevention to prolong service life of this mechanism? or this mechanism can't be repaired and it is only possible to replace?

Now I observe a small spot and there is no leak, it is acceptable, but I want to know what my actions further for control of a situation.

Thanks.

From your photos this location is where the passenger side CV axle slides onto the intermediate shaft. It doesn't look like it's a leak from the inner joint boot. I'm thinking is may oil separating from the grease that's on the splines of the intermediate shaft.

Having just replaced my passenger side axle there's grease on the spline grooves in the inner joint housing that slides onto the splines of the intermediate shaft. It doesn't looked like there's a good seal at this location and why I'm thinking what you're seeing may be oil separating from the spline grease. There is also a sealed bearing at the end of the intermediate shaft. If there's no noise or vibration from the intermediate shaft and CV axle there's likely no problem. You might want to clean the area and keep an eye on it. Do you notice any noise or vibration while driving? Bad inner joint usually results in vibration or shudder during acceleration and bad outer joints are usually noisy during turns. This is just my experience based on previous CV joints problems I've had with various cars.

My guess is the grease deteriorated from exposure to heat and age. Wonder if the other side also worn?

 

(Now you got me wondering about mine. Had the Service Manager do a full inspection on my 09 when I bought my latest extended warranty. He found one boot (slightly) leaking, not enough to replace. No problems so far, but I do have over 110k).

 

I'm debating on replacing the other side too, there is no noise during sharp turning so it may not be worn. If you don't hear any noise during sharp turns I think your outer CV joints are in decent shape. CV joints do seem to give you plenty of warning when they go bad. I have three cars and two of the cars have had a bad inner joint, which causes vibrations and I've read it's less typical for the inner tripod type joint to go bad, it's more likely the outer joints go first.

 

It did seem like the grease in the outer joint was thin as compared to new grease but not sure if that was the problem. The grease used for the inner joint is even thinner but I've read it's a different type grease for the needle bearings in the tripod joints.

 

I recently purchased a used 2011 Ford Edge (91K miles) and noticed the outer driver's side CV joint making noise during sharp turns. Pulled the left axle and disassembled the outer CV joint. In the attached photo you can see that every surface where the balls contact there is pitting. The boot was not damaged so all the grease was there and no dirt entered the joint. Not sure why this occurred, it seems unusual for all 8 surfaces to have pitting like this but this was the case and what was causing the noise during sharp turns. I replaced the axle with an OEM Motorcraft part from Rockauto.

The used Edge was maintained well with all service done at the dealership. Overall it's is very good condition but I did miss the CV joint noise when I checked it out before purchase. I also missed a small power steering high pressure hose leak so had to also replace this hose.

All is well now and I'm impressed with the Ford, it's quiet, powerful and handles reasonably well. It's the limited model so some nice features and the interior is also nice and comfortable. Really like it so far.