H & W jointly own home.Intervention order meant H lives elsewhere. Will his half of home become Centerlink asset now ?

No such thing. The *may* be a common junction point between the two halves. It is usually located near the joint by the breaker panel, however not all homes have one. Some simply run a lead from one outlet in one half to an outlet in the other half which then distributes power. It's a messed up way of doing things but that's how they do it

Hello Ataya Mickelson,

I'm thinking... you meant ticking...??

Yes they (UNIVERSAL JOINTS) do...
but I pulled up your car on-line and IT APPEARS
you have CV-Joints
(on your "half shafts" (axle, each side)).

So do CV-joints (constant velocity joints) generally always start with a faint ticking... (if dry or hot even squeal) ... these sounds can get a LOT LOUDER ... and quite dangerous.

These joints might progress to grinding and even banging...
or simply FAIL and come completely apart (catastrophic).

Something that should NOT BE IGNORED.

PARTS are not expensive (see below):

Thinking has always been one of my travails... problems & joys
(when done properly)... but regardless of how well or poorly I have done it... It has always been completely SILENT...
(I'm just saying).

Best regards... hope this helps!!

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2001,windstar,3.8l+v6,1372766,drivetrain,cv+joint,2292

2001 FORD WINDSTAR 3 8L V6 CV Half Shaft Assembly RockAuto
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2001,windstar,3.8l+v6,1372766,drivetrain,universal+joint,2392

you have to pull the half shaft out on the side the seal is leaking then pop out the seal and install new seal. this means r&r the wheel, brake, separate the lower ball joint, remove the half shaft axle nut, remove the half shaft from the spindle and pull out half shaft from trans. install in reverse order.

remove the brake caliper and rotor then undo the axle nut and disconnect the lower ball joint and separate from the spindle assembly. pull the outer cv joint out from the spindle and pull out the half shaft. you may have to remove the speedometer drive gear before removing the half shaft. installation in reverse order.

remove wheel then remove the brake caliper from its mounting and support with a wire out of way, then rotor assembly, separate the ball joint from the spindle. remove the axle nut and pull the shaft out of the spindle. then pull half shaft out of the transaxle(transmission). be aware you will lose some trans fluid that you will have to replace. install new half shaft and re assemble in reverse order. the axle nut torque is 135 lbs. its cheaper to replace the half shaft as a unit as opposed to just the cv joint.

It could be the half shaft. The joints should be completely covered with a rubber boot. If it is torn or missing, the joint will become damaged.
You should not drive it if it is the half shaft since if it fails altogether, it could cause you to have an accident.

CV-Joints
Overhaul
These vehicles use several different types of joints. Engine size, transaxle
type, whether the joint is an inboard or outboard joint, even which side of the
vehicle is being serviced could make a difference in joint type. Be sure to
properly identify the joint before attempting joint or boot replacement. Look
for identification numbers at the large end of the boots and/or on the end of
the metal retainer bands.

The 3 types of joints used are the Birfield Joint, (B.J.), the Tripod Joint
(T.J.) and the Double Offset Joint (D.O.J.).

NOTE: Do not disassemble a Birfield joint. Service with a new joint or
clean and repack using a new boot kit.

The distance between the large and small boot bands is important and should
be checked prior to and after boot service. This is so the boot will not be
installed either too loose or too tight, which could cause early wear and
cracking, allowing the grease to get out and water and dirt in, leading to early
joint failure.

NOTE: The driveshaft joints use special grease; do not add any grease
other than that supplied with the kit.

Double Offset Joint
To Remove:

NOTE: The Double Offset Joint (D.O.J.) is bigger than other joints
and, in these applications, is normally used as an inboard joint.

1. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
   
2. Side cutter pliers can be used to cut the metal retaining bands. Remove the
   boot from the joint outer race.
   
3. Locate and remove the large circlip at the base of the joint. Remove the
   outer race (the body of the joint).
   
4. Remove the small snap ring and take off the inner race, cage and balls as an
   assembly. Clean the inner race, cage and balls without disassembling.
   
5. If the boot is to be reused, wipe the grease from the splines and wrap the
   splines in vinyl tape before sliding the boot from the shaft.
   
6. Remove the inner (D.O.J.) boot from the shaft. If the outer (B.J.) boot is
   to be replaced, remove the boot retainer rings and slide the boot down and off
   of the shaft at this time.

To Install:

NOTE: Be sure to tape the shaft splines before installing the boots.
Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease. Often the grease supplied
in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half being
used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot.

1. Install the cage onto the halfshaft so the small diameter side of the cage
   is installed first. With a brass drift pin, tap lightly and evenly around the
   inner race to install the race until it comes into contact with the rib of the
   shaft. Apply the specified grease to the inner race and cage and fit them
   together. Insert the balls into the cage.
   
2. Install the outer race (the body of the joint) after filling with the
   specified grease. The outer race should be filled with this grease.
   
3. Tighten the boot bands securely. Make sure the distance between the boot
   bands is correct.
   
4. Install the halfshaft to the vehicle.

Except Double Offset Joint
To Remove:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the halfshaft.
   
2. Use side cutter pliers to remove the metal retaining bands from the boot(s)
   that will be removed. Slide the boot from the T.J. case.
   
3. Remove the snap ring and the tripod joint spider assembly from the
   halfshaft. Do not disassemble the spider and use care in handling.
   
4. If the boot is be reused, wrap vinyl tape around the spline part of the
   shaft so the boot(s) will not be damaged when removed. Remove the dynamic
   damper, if used, and the boots from the shaft.

To Install:

1. Double check that the correct replacement parts are being installed. Wrap
   vinyl tape around the splines to protect the boot and install the boots and
   damper, if used, in the correct order.
   
2. Install the joint spider assembly to the shaft and install the snap ring.
   
3. Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease. Often the grease
   supplied in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half
   being used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot. Keep
   grease off the rubber part of the dynamic damper (if used).
   
4. Secure the boot bands with the halfshaft in a horizontal position. Make sure
   distance between boot bands is correct.
   
5. Install the halfshaft to the vehicle and reconnect the negative battery
   cable.

Check the CV-boot for wear









Removing the outer band from the CV-boot









Removing the inner band from the CV-boot









Removing the CV-boot from the joint housing









Clean the CV-joint housing prior to removing boot









Removing the CV-joint housing assembly









Removing the CV-joint









Inspecting the CV-joint housing









Removing the CV-joint outer snap ring









Checking the CV-joint snap ring for wear









CV-joint snap ring (typical)









Removing the CV-joint assembly









Removing the CV-joint inner snap ring









Installing the CV-joint assembly (typical)

If you email me I can email you the pics for this task....too many to post here. Email me at [email protected].


CV-Joints Overhaul These vehicles use several different types of joints. Engine size, transaxle type, whether the joint is an inboard or outboard joint, even which side of the vehicle is being serviced could make a difference in joint type. Be sure to properly identify the joint before attempting joint or boot replacement. Look for identification numbers at the large end of the boots and/or on the end of the metal retainer bands.
The 3 types of joints used are the Birfield Joint, (B.J.), the Tripod Joint (T.J.) and the Double Offset Joint (D.O.J.).
NOTE: Do not disassemble a Birfield joint. Service with a new joint or clean and repack using a new boot kit.
The distance between the large and small boot bands is important and should be checked prior to and after boot service. This is so the boot will not be installed either too loose or too tight, which could cause early wear and cracking, allowing the grease to get out and water and dirt in, leading to early joint failure.
NOTE: The driveshaft joints use special grease; do not add any grease other than that supplied with the kit.
Double Offset Joint To Remove:
NOTE: The Double Offset Joint (D.O.J.) is bigger than other joints and, in these applications, is normally used as an inboard joint.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
3. Side cutter pliers can be used to cut the metal retaining bands. Remove the boot from the joint outer race.
4. Locate and remove the large circlip at the base of the joint. Remove the outer race (the body of the joint).
5. Remove the small snap ring and take off the inner race, cage and balls as an assembly. Clean the inner race, cage and balls without disassembling.
6. If the boot is to be reused, wipe the grease from the splines and wrap the splines in vinyl tape before sliding the boot from the shaft.
7. Remove the inner (D.O.J.) boot from the shaft. If the outer (B.J.) boot is to be replaced, remove the boot retainer rings and slide the boot down and off of the shaft at this time.

To Install:
NOTE: Be sure to tape the shaft splines before installing the boots. Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease. Often the grease supplied in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half being used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot.

1. Install the cage onto the halfshaft so the small diameter side of the cage is installed first. With a brass drift pin, tap lightly and evenly around the inner race to install the race until it comes into contact with the rib of the shaft. Apply the specified grease to the inner race and cage and fit them together. Insert the balls into the cage.
2. Install the outer race (the body of the joint) after filling with the specified grease. The outer race should be filled with this grease.
3. Tighten the boot bands securely. Make sure the distance between the boot bands is correct.
4. Install the halfshaft to the vehicle.

Except Double Offset Joint To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the halfshaft.
4. Use side cutter pliers to remove the metal retaining bands from the boot(s) that will be removed.
5. Slide the boot from the T.J. case.
6. Remove the snap ring and the tripod joint spider assembly from the halfshaft. CAUTION
   Do not disassemble the spider, use care in handling.
   
7. If the boot is be reused, wrap vinyl tape around the spline part of the shaft so the boot(s) will not be damaged when removed.
8. Remove the dynamic damper, (if used).
9. Remove the boots from the shaft.

To Install:

1. Double check that the correct replacement parts are being installed.
2. Wrap vinyl tape around the splines to protect the boot and install the boots and damper, (if used), in the correct order.
3. Install the joint spider assembly to the shaft.
   • Install the snap ring
4. Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease.
   • Often the grease supplied in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half being used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot
     1. Keep grease off the rubber part of the dynamic damper (if used)
5. Secure the boot bands with the halfshaft in a horizontal position.
   • Make sure distance between boot bands is correct
6. Install the halfshaft to the vehicle.
7. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

CV Joint Axle Replacement - How to Repair or Replace

Over time the rubber boots of the CV joints can become cracked, torn, or otherwise compromised. Once moisture and dirt get into a CV joint and grease makes its way out, the CV joints days are numbered. Signs of impending failures are a click-click-clicking or metallic crackling noise while turning and accelerating or a clunking upon deceleration. While one can repack, reboot, and rebuild CV axles, it makes more sense for the average do-it-yourselfer to procure replacement units and swap out the old axles. If a boot is torn or missing, it is possible to save the joint if caught early enough, but usually the damage has already been done. Replacing or servicing the entire CV joint axle assembly may be the smarter move since replacing a boot may involve removing an axle, which may also involve removing half or all of the vehicle's brakes and suspension.

That is what is called your CV joint. They are notorious for making "knuckling" sounds when turning a corner. They are not very expensive, however it does require that you take the suspension and brake hardware loose in order to get it out.

You have 2 "half axle(s)", each half axel has 2 CV joints. One half axle goes to each front wheel on front wheel drive cars. You could do it yourself, however if you are not competent it would be best to take it to a shop.

I would recommend getting both half axles replaced.