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Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and 2010 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-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles 

  1. Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to REMOVAL .

    All vehicles 

  2. Remove the parking brake cable bracket bolt and position the parking brake cable aside.
    • To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
    Fig 1: Locating Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolt & Parking Brake Cable
    G06269489Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles 

  3. Remove the wheel spindle. For additional information, refer to Removal and Installation .
  4. If equipped, detach the wheel speed sensor harness from the trailing arm.
    Fig 2: Locating Wheel Speed Sensor Harness And Trailing Arm
    G06269490Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Using a suitable jack, support the trailing arm.
  6. Remove and discard the lower arm outboard bolt.
    • To install, tighten the new bolt to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
    WARNING: The coil spring is under extreme load. Care must be taken at all times when removing or installing a loaded spring. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
  7. 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.
  8. Carefully lower the trailing arm and remove the jack.
  9. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt and flagnut.
    • To install, tighten the new bolt and flagnut to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
  10. Remove and discard the toe link outboard bolt.
    • To install, tighten the new bolt to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.

    AWD vehicles 

  11. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness bracket nut and position aside the bracket.
    • To install, tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).
  12. Remove the toe link. For additional information, refer to Removal and Installation .
  13. Remove the 4 trailing arm-to-wheel knuckle nuts and the trailing arm toe link bracket.
    • Discard the nuts.
    • To install, tighten the new nuts to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).

    All vehicles 

  14. Remove the 2 trailing arm-to-frame bolts, cone washers and the trailing arm.
    • Discard the bolts.
    • To install, tighten the new bolts to 125 Nm (92 lb-ft).
  15. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
    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 3: Identifying Distance Between Center Of Hub & Fender
    G06269476Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  16. Check and, if necessary, align the rear end. For additional information, refer to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
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