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Home >> Ford >> 2009 >> Flex Limited, FWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 536 (Rear Suspension) >> Removal And Installation >> Stabilizer Bar - All Wheel Drive (AWD) >> Removal and Installation

Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Montego, 2006 Ford Freestyle, and 2006 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.
  1. Remove the underbody catalytic converter, muffler and resonator as an assembly. For additional information, refer to CATALYTIC CONVERTER and MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE .
  2. Using a suitable jackstand, support the front of the vehicle.
    3. CAUTION: Do not allow the calipers to hang suspended from the brake hoses or damage to the hoses can occur.
  3. Remove the LH rear brake caliper anchor plate bolts and position the LH brake caliper assembly aside.
    • To install, tighten to 100 N.m (74 lb-ft).
    • Support the caliper using mechanic's wire.
  4. Remove and discard the LH rear axle shaft nut.
    • To install, tighten to 350 N.m (258 lb-ft).
  5. Using the special tool, press the LH axle shaft out of the hub.
    Fig 1: Using Special Tool To Press LH Axle Shaft Out Of Hub
    G04655329Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Remove and discard the LH wheel knuckle ball joint nut.
    • To install, tighten to 110 N.m (81 lb-ft).
  7. Using the special tool, disconnect the LH wheel knuckle from the upper arm.
    Fig 2: Using Special Tool To Disconnect LH Wheel Knuckle From Upper Arm
    G04655330Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Position a suitable jackstand under the LH lower control arm at the shock and spring assembly attachment point, then raise the jackstand enough to compress the shock absorber and spring assembly.
  9. Remove and discard the LH trailing arm-to-knuckle bolt, then loosen the trailing arm-to-subframe bolt.
    • To install, tighten to 110 N.m (81 lb-ft).
  10. Loosen the LH lower arm-to-knuckle bolt.
    • To install, tighten to 90 N.m (66 lb-ft).
  11. 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 N.m (74 lb-ft).
  12. Loosen but do not remove the LH lower shock absorber and spring assembly bolt, then carefully lower the jackstand until the spring is near it's full extension.
  13. Remove and discard the LH shock absorber lower bolt and disconnect the shock absorber from the lower arm.
    • To install, tighten to 105 N.m (77 lb-ft).
  14. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link lower nuts.
    • To install, tighten to 55 N.m (41 lb-ft).
  15. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar bracket bolts.
    • To install, tighten to 58 N.m (43 lb-ft).
  16. Remove the stabilizer bar from the LH side of the vehicle.
  17. To install, reverse the removal procedure.


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.
  1. Remove the underbody catalytic converter, muffler and resonator as an assembly. For additional information, refer to CATALYTIC CONVERTER and MUFFLER AND TAILPIPE .
  2. Using a suitable jackstand, support the front of the vehicle.
    3. CAUTION: Do not allow the calipers to hang suspended from the brake hoses or damage to the hoses can occur.
  3. 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.
  4. Remove and discard the LH rear axle shaft nut.
    • To install, tighten to 350 N.m (258 lb-ft).
  5. Using the special tool, press the LH axle shaft out of the hub.
    Fig 1: Using Special Tool To Press LH Axle Shaft Out Of Hub
    G04655334Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Remove and discard the LH wheel knuckle ball joint nut.
    • To install, tighten to 110 N.m (81 lb-ft).
  7. Using the special tool, disconnect the LH wheel knuckle from the upper arm.
    Fig 2: Using Special Tool To Disconnect LH Wheel Knuckle From Upper Arm
    G04655335Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Position a suitable jackstand under the LH lower control arm at the shock and spring assembly attachment point, then raise the jackstand enough to compress the shock absorber and spring assembly.
  9. Remove and discard the LH trailing arm-to-knuckle bolt, then loosen the trailing arm-to-subframe bolt.
    • To install, tighten to 110 N.m (81 lb-ft).
  10. Loosen the LH lower arm-to-knuckle bolt.
    • To install, tighten to 90 N.m (66 lb-ft).
  11. 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 N.m (74 lb-ft).
  12. Loosen but do not remove the LH lower shock absorber and spring assembly bolt, then carefully lower the jackstand until the spring is near it's full extension.
  13. Remove and discard the LH shock absorber lower bolt and disconnect the shock absorber from the lower arm.
    • To install, tighten to 105 N.m (77 lb-ft).
  14. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link lower nuts.
    • To install, tighten to 55 N.m (41 lb-ft).
  15. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar bracket bolts.
    • To install, tighten to 58 N.m (43 lb-ft).
  16. Remove the stabilizer bar from the LH side of the vehicle.
  17. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
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