Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2006 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

All vehicles

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
Remove the 8 bolts and the underbody shield.
- To install, tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
  
  Fig 1: Locating Underbody Shield Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with 3.0L

Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
Remove the 2 bolts and the heat shield.

Fig 2: Locating Heat Shield Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles

Remove the bolt from the engine roll restrictor.
- To install, tighten to 105 Nm (77 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 3: Locating Engine Roll Restrictor Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 4 screws and position the RH fender splash shield aside.

Fig 4: Locating RH Fender Splash Shield Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers and the RH front structure to subframe splash shield.

Fig 5: Locating Splash Shield Pin-Type Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 4 screws and position the LH fender splash shield aside.

Fig 6: Locating LH Fender Splash Shield Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers and the LH front structure to subframe splash shield.

Fig 7: Locating Pin-Type Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 power steering return line bolts.
- To install, tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
  
  Fig 8: Locating Power Steering Return Line Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with 2.3L

Remove the power steering pressure line bracket bolt.
- To install, tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
  
  Fig 9: Locating Power Steering Pressure Line Bracket Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles

Remove the 3 steering gear mounting bolts.
- To install, tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 10: Locating Steering Gear Mounting Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The steering gear is not removed with the front subframe and must be positioned aside.

Position the steering gear aside using mechanic's wire.
Remove the 2 (1 each side) lower stabilizer bar link nuts and separate from the stabilizer bar.
- To install, tighten to 42 Nm (31 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 11: Locating Lower Stabilizer Bar Link Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the RH and LH lower ball joint nuts.
- To install, tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 12: Locating RH And LH Lower Ball Joint Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: When the lower ball joint is separated from the wheel knuckle, the lower arm may strike the outer constant velocity (CV) joint boot with enough force to damage the boot clamp. This will result in a loss of grease from the outer CV joint. Place a block of wood, or similar item, between the lower arm and the outer CV joint to prevent the lower arm from striking the outer CV joint.

NOTE: Once pressure is applied to the ball joint with the special tool, it may be necessary to tap the wheel knuckle at the ball joint area to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

Fig 13: Identifying Special Tools

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the special tools, separate the RH and LH ball joints.
Remove the lower control arm-to-strut through bolts and flagnuts.
- To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 14: Locating Lower Control Arm-To-Strut Through Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the lift table under the subframe.

Fig 15: Positioning Lift Table Under Subframe
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 rear mounting nuts and washers from the front subframe.
- To install, tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 16: Locating Rear Mounting Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 4 bolts and the 2 subframe support brackets.
- To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 17: Locating Subframe Support Brackets Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 front mounting nuts and washers from the front subframe.
- To install, tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 18: Locating Front Mounting Nuts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lower the subframe from the vehicle.
- To install, reverse the removal procedure.