Ford 6W1Z-4602-A
Drive Shaft

Service and repair the driveshaft from a hoist with proper index-marking applied to the driveshaft centering socket yoke and the rear axle pinion flange along with the driveshaft and transmission extension housing. Unscrew the four bolts by using the specified tool for prying in a designated area instead of hitting the driveshaft to remove the yoke from the flange. The rear end of the driveshaft should be lowered until it passes the rear axle housing while pulling it backward until the slip yoke frees the transmission extension housing. At this point tape or plug the extension housing to stop fluid from escaping. You should replace all bolts yet if new bolts are unavailable then apply Threadlock and Sealer onto the original bolt threads. The driveshaft centering socket yoke needs to be properly centered on the rear axle pinion flange which will be achieved through equal bolt tightening according to a cross pattern. Inspect the extension housing seal for damage then replace it with an entirely new one when needed and apply Premium Long-Life Grease to the slip-yoke spline. Installation of new driveshafts requires that workers match the yellow paint marks at the rear of the tube to the corresponding marks on the pinion flange; driveshaft indexing will be needed if these marks cannot be seen. The installation process ends with the inverse actions of removal.

Avoid hammering on the driveshaft or its components; use a suitable tool to pry only in the designated area to disconnect the yoke from the flange.

Plug the extension housing.

Lower the rear end of the driveshaft to clear the rear axle housing and pull it rearward until the slip yoke clears the transmission extension housing, plugging the extension housing to prevent fluid loss.

Align the factory-made yellow paint mark at the rear of the driveshaft tube with the corresponding mark on the rear axle pinion flange.

Lubricate it with grease.