Parts for your 2015 Ford Territory-Universal joints

2015 Ford Territory universal joints — what’s actually fitted

For the 2015 Ford Territory (SZ/SZ II), traditional universal joints aren’t used on the tailshaft. Instead, Ford engineered the Territory with constant-velocity (CV) joints and a two-piece tailshaft with a centre support bearing, often paired with a rubber flex coupling (giubo). This setup applies to both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and the AWD variants, where the front prop shaft also relies on CV-style couplings rather than old-school U-joints.

This isn’t guesswork. Ford’s workshop literature for the SZ/SZ II Territory driveline, along with major Australian/NZ driveline parts catalogues and technical fitment guides, list CV joints, a centre bearing, and a flex disc for the Territory tailshaft assembly—no serviceable U-joints are specified. The platform lineage helps too: the Territory shares architecture with BA-onwards Falcon, which moved from U-joints to CV-type tailshafts to improve refinement.

Why no U-joints on a 2015 Territory? A few good reasons:

• Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH): CV joints run smoother through changing angles, which suits the Territory’s independent rear suspension and longer wheelbase.
• Driveline angles and packaging: CVs tolerate greater and more variable angles, handy for AWD hardware and the Territory’s underbody layout.
• Refinement and durability: Sealed CV joints and a flex disc reduce shudder and clunk on take-off, delivering a more car-like feel.

Owners chasing “universal-joint” issues on a Territory are usually dealing with tailshaft CV wear, a failing centre bearing, or a cracked flex disc. Typical symptoms include a take-off clunk, a steady-speed shudder (often around 60–80 km/h under load), vibration on decel, or grease flung from split CV boots.

Practical servicing tips for a 2015 Territory:

• Inspect CV boots, the centre support bearing, and the flex disc every 20,000–30,000 km or at each major service.
• Look for perished rubber, cracks in the giubo, torn boots, rust dust around joints, or play in the bearing.
• If removing the tailshaft, mark alignment before separation, torque fasteners to spec on reassembly, and use quality OE-equivalent parts.

If they’re hearing a driveline rattle or feeling a vibration, a specialist driveline shop can balance the shaft, replace the centre bearing, or rebuild the CV ends—much the same role a U-joint service would’ve played on older models, just with different hardware.

Popular questions

Does a 2015 Ford Territory have universal joints?
No. The Territory uses CV joints, a centre support bearing, and usually a flex disc on the tailshaft. That’s true for both RWD and AWD models. If there’s a clunk or shudder, think CVs or the centre bearing rather than U-joints.

What should be serviced instead of U-joints on a 2015 Territory?
Check the tailshaft CV joints (and their boots), the centre support bearing, and the flex disc. These parts handle what old-school U-joints used to do. Look for split boots, grease fling, perished rubber, and any free play.

Can universal joints be retrofitted to a Territory tailshaft?
It’s not recommended. The driveline was designed around CV articulation and NVH targets. Converting to U-joints would require custom engineering, can introduce vibration, and may reduce reliability.