How to Replace Front Strut Assembly 01-12 Ford Escape

Difficulty: Advanced · About 75 min · Ford Escape

Replace the front strut assembly on a 2001-2012 Ford Escape.

Steps

1. Remove the top of the strut

   Pop the hood, soak the top four bolts in penetrating oil, then remove their nuts with a 14mm socket.

2. Remove the wheel

   Loosen the lugs, raise and support the car, then remove the lugs and tire.

3. Remove the bottom of the strut

   Soak the 10mm brake line bracket bolt, 14mm stabilizer link bolt and two 18mm strut bolts in penetrant, unbolt the brake line bracket (holding the stud still with a 5mm hex wrench while working the 14mm nut loose, repeating the penetrant-and-wiggle cycle as needed), then remove the 18mm bolts with a breaker bar or pipe.

4. Install the new strut

   Position it and thread on the six nuts, torque the top four 14mm bolts to about 35 ft-lb and the bottom two to about 85 ft-lb, then bolt the stabilizer link and brake line bracket back on with the 14mm socket, 5mm hex wrench and 10mm socket.

5. Reinstall the wheel

   Hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the car, then torque them to about 100 ft-lb in a star pattern.

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