Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. 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.

All vehicles

Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to WHEELS & TIRES article.
Using a suitable jack, support the trailing arm.

NOTE: Do not fully tighten the shock absorber lower nut until the suspension is at the bushing fastener tightening position. This will prevent incorrect clamp load and bushing damage.

Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt and flagnut.
- To install, tighten the new bolt and flagnut to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft), All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles.
- To install, tighten the new bolt and flagnut to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft), Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles
Remove and discard the upper arm outboard bolt.
- To install, tighten the new bolt to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles
Remove and discard the upper arm outboard bolt and nut.
- To install, tighten the new nut and bolt to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
All vehicles
Carefully lower the trailing arm and remove the jack.

NOTE: Position the shock absorber as necessary to remove the upper arm.

NOTE: When tightening the upper arm inboard bolt, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position.

Remove and discard the upper arm inboard bolt and remove the upper arm.
- To install, tighten the new bolt to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) and then rotate an additional 90 degrees.

NOTE: Before tightening any suspension bushing fasteners, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position. Use a suitable jack to raise the suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to 395 mm (15.55 in). This will prevent incorrect clamp load and bushing damage.

Fig 1: Identifying Distance Between Center Of Hub And Lip Of Fender

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Check and, if necessary, adjust the rear camber. For additional information, refer to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.