i have a 99 F150 4x4 and recently changed the gears in the front and rear end. While replacing the axle housing a grease cap fell off of the c.v axle on the driver side. When the grease cap came off one of the c.v. ***** fell out of the housing. I put the ball back in place, but now I have a strange vibration, and a rattle noise an slow down. Are the c.v. axles fully "caged", so that the ***** cannot come out? If so then I will get to changing those axles. Thanks for the info.

 

If you mean the boot that covers the CV joint then your half shaft is toast, time for a new one. The joint closest to the hub, outer joint, is non servicable so if a ball fell out scrap it. If it is the one nearest the differential, inner joint, it can be repaired. Regardless, becasue of the vibration I would still scrap the whole thing and get a new one.

JMC