Strut and Spring Assembly: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
NOTE:
LH side shown in illustration, RH side similar.
- Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to WHEEL AND TIRE .
- Remove the brake jounce hose clip.
- Pull the brake jounce hose downward slightly to remove the hose from the bracket and position the brake jounce hose aside.
- Remove the wheel speed sensor harness bolt.
- Remove and discard the upper stabilizer bar link nut.
- Remove and discard the 2 strut-to-knuckle nuts and bolts.
- Remove and discard the 4 strut upper bushing nuts.
- Remove the strut and spring assembly.
- For additional information on the disassembly and assembly of the strut and spring assembly, refer to STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY .
NOTE:
Verify the steering wheel is in the unlocked position before removal.
NOTE:
Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nut.
NOTE:
Reference mark the 4 strut upper bushing plate nuts.
NOTE:
Do not allow the axle shaft to move outboard. Over-extension of the tripod Constant Velocity (CV) joint can result in the separation of internal parts, causing failure of the axle shaft.