Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly - All Wheel Drive (AWD): Installation

All vehicles 

1. Position the upper spring isolator on the spring and secure the isolator with duct tape as shown in illustration.
Fig 1: Taping Upper Spring Isolator On Spring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Make sure that the coil spring is aligned correctly, using the index marks made during the removal procedure. If a new shock absorber or spring is being installed, transfer the marks.
2. Position the shock absorber and spring assembly on the lower arm and install a new bolt.
   • Tighten to 105 Nm (77 lb-ft).
3. Position the floor jack under the lower arm at the shock absorber mount.
4. Slowly raise the suspension with the floor jack until the top of the spring makes contact with the inside surface of the upper shock absorber mount.
NOTE: It is helpful to have an assistant watching from above the upper mount, giving direction to help center the shock absorber rod to the upper mount bushing.
5. With the aid of an assistant, continue to raise the lower arm with the floor jack, guiding the shock absorber and spring assembly, until the shock absorber rod is centered and through the upper shock absorber mount bushing.
6. Install a new upper shock absorber-to-mount nut.
   • Tighten to 52 Nm (38 lb-ft).
7. Loosely install a new lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
8. Raise the floor jack until the center of the wheel hub is at the correct curb height (measured in Step 1 of the Removal procedure).
9. Tighten the lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).
10. Reposition the floor jack under the trailing arm/wheel knuckle attachment point and raise the suspension until the trailing arm is aligned with the wheel knuckle.
    • Loosely install a new trailing arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
11. Raise the floor jack until the center of the wheel hub is at the correct curb height (measured in Step 1 of the Removal procedure).
12. Tighten the trailing arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt to 105 Nm (77 lb-ft).
13. Tighten the trailing arm-to-subframe bolt to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).
14. Remove the floor jack and the jackstands.
15. Position the brake caliper and install the brake caliper anchor plate bolts.
    • Tighten to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).
16. Install the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to WHEELS AND TIRES article.

Wagons 

17. Install the third row safety belt anchor-to-floor bolt trim cover. For additional information, refer to Interior Trim - Exploded View in INTERIOR TRIM AND ORNAMENTATION article.

Sedans 

18. Install the luggage compartment rear and side trim panels.