Coil Spring & Strut Assembly: Disassembly
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1999 Mercury Mystique, 1999 Mercury Cougar, 1999 Ford Contour, 1998 Mercury Mystique, and 1998 Ford Contour. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Compress spring using Spring Compressor (014-00781), and remove thrust bearing retaining nut. Remove top mount, thrust bearing, spring seat and dust shield. Loosen spring compressor. Remove coil spring and jounce bumper from strut. See Figure.