Removal And Installation: Spring: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
Do not apply heat or flame to the shock absorber or strut tube. The shock absorber and strut tube are gas pressurized and could explode if heated. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Keep all body parts clear of shock absorbers or strut rods. Shock absorbers or struts can extend unassisted. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
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 vehicles
- Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES .
- Using a suitable jack, support the axle.
- Remove the shock absorber lower nut and bolt.
- Discard the nut and bolt.
- Remove the 4 U-bolt nuts, the U-bolt plate and the 2 U-bolts.
- Discard the nuts and the U-bolts.
- For the LH spring, lower the fuel tank to gain access to the spring shackle-to-frame bolt. For additional information, REFER to FUEL TANK AND LINES .
- For the RH spring, remove the muffler to gain access to the spring-to-frame bolt. For additional information, REFER to EXHAUST SYSTEM .
- Remove and discard the spring-to-frame nut and bolt.
- Remove and discard the spring shackle-to-frame nut and bolt.
- Lower the jack and remove the spring and shackle assembly.
- If necessary, remove the spring-to-shackle nut, bolt and spring shackle.
- Discard the nut and bolt.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles
- Remove the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) spring spacer.
NOTE:
Only lower the axle enough to gain access to remove the spring.