Parts for your 1996 Ford Falcon-Cv joint

1996 Ford Falcon CV Joint — Do You Even Need One?

For the 1996 Ford Falcon (EF/EL series), a constant velocity (CV) joint isn’t a relevant or fitted part. Technical references including the Ford EF/EL Falcon Workshop Manual and Gregory’s Service & Repair Manual No. 246 state the EF/EL Falcon runs a rear-wheel-drive layout with a live rear axle, a two-piece tailshaft using cross-type universal joints (U-joints), and non-driven front hubs. Factory specifications for the EL series further confirm there’s no front-wheel-drive hardware or independent rear half-shafts in 1996 models, so there are no CV joints to service or replace on this year’s Falcon.

Why no CV joints? CVs are typically used on front-wheel-drive cars (and on independent rear suspensions) to let the driven wheels steer and move up and down while still transmitting torque smoothly. The 1996 Falcon’s front wheels don’t drive the car, and the rear end is a solid (live) axle, so torque is handled by the tailshaft’s U-joints and the differential, not by CVs. That’s the design Ford Australia built into EF/EL Falcons, as laid out in the factory service information and aftermarket manuals of the time.

If someone’s chasing a “Falcon CV joint” for a ’96 sedan, wagon or ute, they’re usually after one of these instead:

• Tailshaft universal joints or the centre bearing (common wear items that cause clunks or vibration).
• Front wheel bearings/hub assembly (noise that can be mistaken for CV click).
• Front-end components like ball joints, tie-rod ends, or sway-bar links (can creak, knock or click on turns).

Practical servicing tips for a 1996 Falcon driveline: listen for a dull clunk on take-off or shift (often U-joints), feel for vibration under load at highway speeds (U-joints or tailshaft balance), and check the centre bearing rubber for cracking. Keep the differential oil fresh at the recommended interval, inspect rear axle bearings for play or rumble, and torque the tailshaft bolts correctly after any work. Most OE-style U-joints in these cars are sealed and not greaseable, if there’s measurable play or brinelling, replacement is the go.

Bottom line: a CV joint isn’t part of the 1996 Falcon’s parts list. Later Falcons with independent rear ends did use CV-style half-shafts, but the EF/EL generation in 1996 does not. That’s why parts catalogues and workshop manuals for 1996 Falcons specify U-joints and a centre bearing rather than CV joints.

Popular questions about 1996 Ford Falcon CV joints

Does a 1996 Ford Falcon have CV joints?
No. The EF/EL Falcon is rear-wheel drive with a live rear axle and a tailshaft that uses universal joints, not CV joints. The front wheels aren’t driven, so there’s no need for front CVs. This setup is documented in the Ford EF/EL Workshop Manual and Gregory’s EF/EL manual.

What’s that clicking when turning if it’s not a CV joint?
On a ’96 Falcon, turning clicks are more likely from a worn front wheel bearing, loose brake hardware, or play in ball joints or tie-rod ends. A quick diagnosis under the bonnet and at the hubs—spin and rock the wheel, check for free play and roughness—will point to the culprit.

What driveline joints should be serviced on a 1996 Falcon?
Focus on the tailshaft U-joints and the centre bearing. Symptoms include a take-off clunk, shudder on acceleration, or vibration around 70–100 km/h. Replace any loose or notchy U-joints, inspect the centre bearing rubber, and keep the diff oil changes up to date.