How to Replace Front Struts 96-07 Ford Taurus

Difficulty: Advanced · About 80 min · Ford Taurus

Replace the front struts on a 1996-2007 Ford Taurus.

Steps

1. Remove the wheel

   Loosen the lug nuts, raise and support the car, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.

2. Remove the old strut

   Soak the strut and shock bolts in penetrating oil, unbolt and unclip the ABS sensor line, remove the upper stabilizer bolt with an 18mm wrench, unbolt the strut's lower end and hammer the bolt out, hammer to separate the knuckle from the strut, then remove the three 13mm bolts at the top of the strut.

3. Install the new strut

   Work it into place and bolt in the three 13mm top bolts, torquing them to about 35 ft-lb, carefully work the bottom into the knuckle without damaging the brake lines, bolt it in and torque the bottom bolt to about 100 ft-lb, bolt the stabilizer link back in with the 18mm wrench, then clip the ABS sensor and brake line bracket together and bolt it back in.

4. Reinstall the wheel

   Put it on and hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the car, then torque the lug nuts to about 75-100 ft-lb in a star pattern.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.