Attachment III - Technical Information
FRONT SPRING REPLACEMENTAFFECTED VEHICLES:
1993 TAURUS/SABLE BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 1992 THROUGH JULY 31, 1993
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.
3. CAUTION: To avoid damage to the boot seal during the removal of the ball stud nut:
^ Do not use power tools.
^ Do not allow the strut ball stud to rotate (use hex portion of stud to prevent it from rotating).
Using hand tools, remove stabilizer bar link from strut (see CAUTION above). Then, remove the link from the vehicle. Replace the link if you have damaged it during removal. See Figure 1.
4. CAUTION: When separating the strut from the steering knuckle:
^ Do not allow the halfshaft to move outward from its original position. (Over extension of the CV joint may result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the joint).
^ Do not pry on the halfshaft.
Separate the strut assembly from the steering knuckle:
^ a. Remove the pinch bolt. See Figure 2.
^ b. Using a wedge, slightly spread the end of the steering knuckle. See Figure 2.
^ c. Pry down on the lower control arm to separate the steering knuckle from the lower end of the strut assembly. Refer to Figure 3.
5. Support the steering knuckle with a wire to prevent halfshaft from moving outboard.
6. Lower vehicle to a comfortable working height.
7. Support strut assembly and remove three (3) nuts which hold the upper strut assembly to the strut tower. Then, remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
8. If hand-held spring compressor is used, secure strut assembly in vise for stability.
9. CAUTION: The strut assembly is under spring tension. Attempting to disassemble strut without properly compressing the spring can result in injury. Using a suitable spring compressor, slightly compress the strut spring to relieve initial tension. Loosen the upper rod nut. Continue to compress the spring until tension is relieved. Remove the upper rod nut.
10. Remove the upper bearing plate assembly and coil spring from the strut. For the purpose of reassembly, carefully note the position of each part during removal. See Figure 4.
11. Remove spring compressor from spring.
12. Install spring compressor on new spring.
13. Compress new spring enough to assemble strut assembly.
14. Install new coil spring and upper bearing plate assembly to strut assembly. Make sure spring is correctly seated in both spring seats.
15. CAUTION: Do not over-tighten upper rod nut. Damage to nut or upper rod could result. Install upper rod nut. Tighten nut to 55-72 Nm (39-53 lb-ft).
16. Remove spring compressor.
17. If hand-held spring compressor is used, remove strut assembly from vise.
18. Remove wire holding steering knuckle.
19. Position strut assembly in vehicle.
20. Install three (3) mount-to-strut tower nuts. Tighten nuts to 30-40 Nm (22-29 lb-ft).
21. Partially raise vehicle.
22. Position strut assembly to steering knuckle. Install pinch bolt Tighten bolt to 98-132 Nm (72-97 lb-ft).
23. CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage boot seal. Do not use power tools to install ball stud nut, or boot seal damage may result. Place a wrench on hex portion of the stud to prevent it from rotating during nut installation. Install stabilizer bar link. Tighten stabilizer bar link-to-stabilizer bar nut to 47-63 Nm (35-46 lb-ft). Tighten stabilizer bar link-to-strut nut to 77-103 Nm (57-75 lb-ft).
24. Repeat spring replacement on opposite side of vehicle.
25. Install both front wheel and tire assemblies.
26. Lower vehicle.