Removal and Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation is necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
- Remove the underbody catalytic converter, muffler and resonator as an assembly. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
- Using a suitable jack stand, support the front of the vehicle.
- Remove the LH rear brake caliper anchor plate bolts and position the LH brake caliper assembly aside.
- To install, tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
- Support the caliper using mechanic's wire.
- Remove and discard the LH rear axle shaft nut.
- To install, tighten to 350 Nm (2588 lb-ft).
- Using the special tool, press the LH axle shaft out of the hub.
- Remove and discard the LH wheel knuckle ball joint nut.
- To install, tighten to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).
- Using the special tool, disconnect the LH wheel knuckle from the upper arm.
- Position a V-topped transmission jack under the LH lower control arm at the shock and spring assembly attachment point, then raise the jack enough to compress the shock absorber and spring assembly.
- Remove and discard the LH trailing arm-to-knuckle bolt, then loosen the trailing arm-to-subframe bolt.
- To install, tighten to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).
- Loosen the LH lower arm-to-knuckle bolt.
- To install, tighten to 160 Nm (118 lb-ft).
- Remove and discard the LH toe link-to-knuckle nut and bolt and allow the LH wheel knuckle to hang in a downward position.
- Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
- Loosen but do not remove the LH lower shock absorber and spring assembly bolt, then carefully lower the V-topped transmission jack until the spring is near it's full extension.
- Remove and discard the LH shock absorber lower bolt and disconnect the shock absorber from the lower arm.
- To install, tighten to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).
- Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link lower nuts.
- To install, tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
- Remove and discard the stabilizer bar bracket bolts.
- To install, tighten to 58 Nm (43 lb-ft).
- Remove the stabilizer bar from the LH side of the vehicle.
- To install, reverse the removal procedure.
CAUTION:
Do not allow the calipers to hang suspended from the brake hoses or damage to the hoses can occur.