How to Replace Strut Assembly 00-05 Ford Focus

Difficulty: Advanced · About 110 min · Ford Focus

Replace the strut assembly on a 2000-2005 Ford Focus.

Steps

1. Access the strut

   Loosen the lug nuts with the car on the ground, jack it up and remove the lug nuts and wheel, pull the brake line from its bracket, pull the ABS sensor from its bracket, remove the upper stabilizer link bolt after spraying it with penetrant, spray the strut's rear bolt with penetrant too, then remove the 15mm steering knuckle bolt.

2. Remove the old strut

   Spray penetrant where the strut meets the knuckle, use a 15mm socket to disconnect the tie rod (supporting it with a jack and a block of wood to ease bolt removal), hammer the knuckle loose if the spring is broken, lift the strut up and out of the knuckle, remove the three 13mm bolts up in the engine bay, then pull the strut free.

3. Install the new strut

   With the bottom clip facing inward, set the strut into place, replace the three bolts in the engine bay, pull the knuckle out and slide it onto the bottom of the strut, insert the connecting bolt without fully tightening it yet, confirm the knuckle sits below the strut's taper at the right depth and moves freely, then tighten that bolt to about 65-70 ft-lb.

4. Reconnect the brackets and sensors

   Refit the brake line, reconnect the tie rod and its nut, refit the stabilizer link and bracket and tighten its nut, refit the ABS sensor, jack the tie rod up and torque its nut to about 55-60 ft-lb, refit the wheel and thread the lug nuts, lower the car and torque them to about 100 ft-lb in a star pattern, then torque the engine-bay bolts to about 25-30 ft-lb.

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