I failed the safety inspection ,they said it was the front axle? what is this

CV Axle Replacement. Have them inspected and replace bad one(s). If inspecting yourself. Look under car at front axles coming from the transmission. Inspect the two rubber boots on each side, Maybe be more than two if extended axle. If boots are cracked. split and leaking grease, it likely has been this way for some time. Axles in that condition need to be replaced. This is a normal wear and tear part (like tires and brakes) and typically does not indicate something caused them to fail.

Possible drive axle came apart, jack up front end with safety stands, pull wheel off and inspect drive axle and related components; brakes, wheel bearing, etc...

A most likely suspect would be your CV joint on your front axle. It usually makes a clicking noise while turning sharply, when they first start to fail. Often you can visually inspect them, and see a torn boot , or leaking grease, but you are most likely in need of a rebuilt axle installed. When I change them, I usually just replace both axles, and wheel bearings at the same time, since the car is apart.

This does NOT answer your problem BUT, Ford Windstars have a SAFETY RECALL to repair the rear axle. CHECK WITH FORD TO SEE IF YOUR VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. An individual was killed in MASS when the rear axle failed.
Louie Almond

is the front axle broken if not you could have differential damage and that is exspensive a trans job but check out the trans oil if its black or smells bad as well try to jack up car and check front axles if they turn or are out of position

For the 1998 MY the front axle uses a vacuum shift motor

Is the system ESOF ( Electronic Shift On the Fly ) or MSOF ( Mechanical Shift On the Fly ) ?


Lift and support the front of the truck so the front wheels are off the ground ( take safety precautions, chock wheels, jack stands, etc )
Key on, engage 4x4 and try to turn the front drive shaft.
If it turns it is a problem with the transfer case.
If it doesn't it is a front axle engagement problem.

If the problem is with the front axle engagement, check that the shift motor is operational



This is on the front axle. If it does not move, it could be a problem with the vacuum lines or the vacuum diaphragms.


The vacuum should be applied to the pink line if you are in 2WD, and the blue line when in 4WD.

Obviously check the fuses if you have the ESOF versions, to make sure the transfer case shift motor is operational.

could be anything,,ball joint,,swat bar,,axle ,,take it a shop that does under car inspections for free,,it will only coast you some time,,then u will know whats wrong,,& if its a safety issue,,

This would be a failing bearing in the differential. More specificly, I would suspect the pinion bearing. The differential will need to be disassembled and all (4) bearings and bearing races inspected for wear/ pitting.

How to Replace a CV Boot
( DIY Complexity: Hard / Time: 3.2 hours )

Parts:
1. CV Boot
2. CV Boot Clamp Kit

Tools:
1. Mallet Hammer
2. 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
3. Combination Wrench Set
4. Floor Jack
5. Flashlight
6. Flat Head Screwdriver
7. Socket Set
8. Tire Iron

Steps:
Step 1 Secure the vehicle on a level surface, making sure the vehicle will not roll or lean too much when jacked up.
o Tip: Safety Tip:Always wear safety glasses when working on your vehicle. Wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, for example latex gloves or safety shoes.

Step 2 Lift up the front of the vehicle using a jack.
o Tip: Using an aftermarket floor jack, instead of the original equipment (OE) jack, can make the job easier and safer. Verify the condition of the floor jack before use.

Step 3 Secure the vehicle with jack stands on both sides for safety before starting any work. The pinch welds and the frame are the two best locations. Do not rely on the jack to hold the vehicle up while working.
o Tip: Try to find a flat, level, and strong surface to put the jack stands.

Step 4 Find the correct size socket and large ratchet or tire iron and turn the wheel lug nuts counter clockwise. Remove the front wheels.
o Tip: It is a good idea to try and break the lug nuts free before you jack the wheels off the ground. This way they you will not spin the front wheels or put stress on the transaxle.
o Tip: Lug nuts fasten the wheel to the hub and may be on very tight. To gain more leverage, use a breaker bar to loosen the nuts.

Step 5 Inspect the CV boot for damage.
o Tip: The CV joint may be worn if the boot is damaged. Thoroughly inspect the CV joint assembly before installing the new boot. If the CV joint is damaged, replace the entire CV joint axle assembly.

Step 6 Mark the axle for installation reference. Remove the CV joint axle assembly.

Step 7 Using a bench vise, hold the shaft of the CV joint secure so that you can separate the CV joint from the shaft. Remove the CV boot clamps.

Step 8 Slide the CV boot off the outer CV joint.

Step 9 Using a rubber mallet, knock the CV joint off of the axle shaft.

Step 10 Remove the old boot from the CV axle shaft and wipe off any old grease. Clean the sealing surface on the CV joint.

Step 11 Fill the CV joint with grease and get it ready to slide back onto the shaft.

Step 12 Slide the new boot onto the shaft but do not tighten the inner clamp yet. Install a new retaining clip before putting the joint and axle together.

Step 13 Slide the CV joint back onto the axle shaft completely.

Step 14 Pack the boot with grease and slide the boot over the CV joint housing. Secure the boot with new clamps.

Step 15 Install the CV joint and axle back into the vehicle in the reverse order that it was removed.

Step 16 Mount the wheel back onto the hub assembly.

Step 17 Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern and torque to suggested manufacturer specifications in the vehicle owner’s manual.

Step 18 Remove jack stands.

Step 19 Lower vehicle with jack until it is securely on the ground.

Step 20 Drive the vehicle to make sure that any noises are no longer present and that there are no indications of wearing parts. Before road testing, visually inspect the area you have worked on to make sure everything is tightened and assembled properly.

Hope help with this (remember rated and comment this help).

Change front/rear axle oil
Change transfer case oil
Air filter
Engine coolant
Rotate tires
Fluid level on battery/radiator/brakes
Change oil and filter
Inspect for fluid leaks
Inspect coolant and heater hoses
Check exhaust system
Check drive belts/tires/wheels/brake lines
Check steering operation/disc brakes/brake pedal play
Check parking brake
Check and lube accelerator linkage
Check suspension/steering/power steering fluid
Lube body and chassis
Check TOD system fluid
Check cruise control linkage and hoses
Check starter safety switch
Lube key lock cylinder