OEM 2002 Ford Thunderbird Drive Shaft

2002 Ford Thunderbird Drive Shaft Parts Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair the Drive Shaft on 2002 Ford Thunderbird?

  A: You must lift and support the vehicle and detach the heat shield bolts before moving it securely away because it presents safety hazards when balancing the driveshaft. The next step entails removing rear wheels together with their tires followed by their reinstallation and tightening of nuts for protection against wheel movement. Afterward, lower the vehicle. Additional cooling should start by opening the hood and turn off all traction systems followed by getting an assistant to sit in the driver's seat. During the test keep the vehicle speed below 70 mph as the assistant drives the car to find the speed where imbalances become most prominent. Maintain a distance beyond rotating equipment parts as well as hot exhaust components while keeping both hands and hair and head and clothing safe from contact. Ample torque from a suitable marker on 12 inches of plastic pipe enables markings on the driveshaft as the scribe moves directionally with a heat shield brace. Following engine shutdown and the assistant's cessation of acceleration one should inspect the mark on the driveshaft. An incomplete mark reveals a driveshaft imbalance. An imbalance will require a 1.23-gram (red) weighted nut to be placed on the bolt in the flex coupling opposite the mark because it resides on the light side of the driveshaft. Perform marking again to verify whether the new mark displays a complete 360-degree circle. In this case reinstall every component before conducting a vehicle road test. To continue the assessment, use a 2.75-gram (silver) weighted nut instead of the 1.23-gram (red) weighted nut and perform the marking process again. Put back all parts into place after confirming that the new mark points straight to 360 degrees. The weighted nut should be transferred to neighboring bolts before performing the marking process once again. The driveshaft replacement must be made if tests without improvement along with the necessary use of marker and weighted nuts. The installation of all components should follow after reaching the best possible condition then the vehicle needs a road test.