Front Sruts - Revised Removal and Installation
84ford17Article No 84-5-11
SUSPENSION - FRONT - REVIVED FRONT STRUT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
FORD
1981-84 ESCORT, EXP; 1984 TEMPO
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1981-84 LYNX, LN7; 1984 TOPAZ
The following revised Procedure is for servicing the front Strut, spring and top mount on the subject vehicles. The following Notes, Warnings and Cautions should be observed when servicing these vehicles.
WARNING: DO NOT use the Escort/Lynx spring compressor, Tool T81P-5310-A when servicing Tempo/Topaz vehicles. If the improper tool is used, the tool can slip and the compressed spring can be released with great force, possibly resulting in serious personal injury to the technician.
CAUTION: DO NOT clamp directly on strut with a vise. Damage to strut may result. It is important that the mounting nut be turned and the rod held still to prevent fracture of the rod at the base of the hex. Wood blocks may be used as outlined at the beginning of procedure. When servicing strut assembly, it is necessary to prevent piston rod (strut rod) from turning. The end of the strut rod incorporates an 8 mm hexagon to allow rod to be held using an 8 mm deep socket with 1/4 inch drive.
NOTE: When servicing Tempo/Topaz, be sure to check the spring insulator for damage before reassembly. If the outer metal splash shield is deformed, it must be bent back carefully so that it DOES NOT touch the locator tabs on the bearing and seal assembly.
CAUTION: Be sure that the correct assembly sequence and proper positioning of bearing and seal assembly is followed. If bearing and seal assembly is out of position, damage to bearing will result.
CAUTION: Never attempt to disassemble the spring or top mount without first compressing the spring with a suitable spring compressor.
FIGURE 26:
FIGURE 27:
FIGURE 28:
FIGURE 29:
The spring compressor tool shown in Figures 26 through 29 is a universal type tool and can be ordered from OTC (Tool Number D84P-5310-A). However, subject to the WARNING above, any suitable compressor can be used.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Top Mount-to-Strut Tower (27-40 N-m, 20-30 ft.lbs.) Strut to Knuckle Pinch Joint (75-110 N-m, 55-81 ft.lbs.)
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Reimbursable within the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual.
OPERATION: SP18124A84
TIME: One Side - 0.6 Hr. Both Sides - 1.0 Hr. DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 18124
Code: As appropriate