How do you install axels into manual transmission on a 1991 Ford Festiva?

Answer 1

After you disconnect the steering knuckles (that's the hard part) the axles pull out. As I recall, there is a split ring spring that you can feel click in when you have the new axles installed deep enough.

To disconnect the steering knuckles:

• Brakes locked so it won't roll, car on the ground--break the hub nut so it is finger-tight.
• Jack up and set jack stands. Chock rear wheels.
• Release the brakes.
• Take off the wheels
• Remove the calipers and hang them from the struts so their weight doesn't stress the brake hoses.
• Take off the rotors
• Drop the lower control arm from the steering knuckle--use a ball joint puller.
• Drop the tie-rods--if you use a pickle fork you will destroy the boot and need a new tie-rod end. Soak with penetrating oil and smack the socket in the steering knuckle on the side smartly with a hammer while prying down on the tie-rod...this usuallyresults in no damage. Don't try to drive it out by smacking the threaded end (stem) with a hammer.
• Take the hub nut all the way off
• Swing the steering knuckle, still connected to the strut, away from the axle
• Yank out the axle and stuff the new one back in
• Assembly is reverse of above
• I don't know what the hub nut needs torqued to...probably about 90 foot pounds...maybe somebody could edit this or you could look it up in a Chilton's/Clymer/Haynes manual. You shouldn't start the job without a shop manual, anyhow.

You might want to put a drip pan under the tranny unless you like oil on your driveway. Don't forget that this will be the best time to change the oil in your tranny and to do a brake job. If your ball joints are sloppy, you ought to get new ones pressed in and if the tie rod ends are shot, get new ones. Check those brake hoses--they don't last forever.