How to Replace Rear Strut Spring Assembly 06-10 Ford Explorer
Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Ford Explorer
Replace the rear strut and spring assembly, including the sway bar link, on a 2006-2010 Ford Explorer.
Tools you will need
- 24mm socket
- 13mm socket
- 15mm wrench
- Torque wrench
- 16mm wrench
- Hammer
- 15mm socket
- Rust penetrant
- 16mm socket
- Jack stands
- 19mm socket
- 24mm wrench
- Ratchet
- Floor jack
- Breaker bar
- 13mm wrench
Parts and supplies
- Rear strut and spring assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the five 19mm lug nuts, raise and support the car, remove the lug nuts, then pull the wheel off the hub.
- Disconnect the sway bar link
Spray it with rust penetrant, hold the bottom link bolt with a 16mm wrench while removing the top 15mm nut, then support the lower control arm with a jack.
- Remove the old strut
Spray the control arm and top strut bolts with penetrant, loosen the 24mm control arm bolt while holding it steady, loosen the inner control arm bolt, remove the 24mm nut from the bottom strut bolt and the outer control arm bolt, remove the strut's bottom bolt, loosen the top three 13mm nuts (removing two and leaving one as a placeholder), remove the sway bar link bushing, tap the control arm with a hammer to separate it from the strut, remove the placeholder nut, then pull the strut out.
- Install the new strut
Lift it into place and start the three top 13mm nuts by hand, lift the control arm and sway bar link into place, raise the knuckle with a jack to line up the strut-to-control-arm bolt, lower that jack and support the control arm instead to line up its bolt to the knuckle, start the two 24mm nuts, support the knuckle with the jack, tighten the 13mm nuts to about 22 ft-lb, raise the suspension to ride height, then torque the outer control arm bolt and bottom strut bolt to about 203 ft-lb and the inner control arm bolt to about 185 ft-lb.
- Reconnect the sway bar link
Line it up, slide the bushing on, thread the nut on, lower the suspension while supporting the control arm with the jack, then tighten the link nut to about 22 ft-lb and remove the jack.
- Install the wheel
Slide it onto the hub, start the five 19mm lug nuts, lower the car, then torque the lug nuts to about 100 ft-lb.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.