Front Suspension System: Removal & Installation Ford Escape I

Removal

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove brake hose-to-strut clip. Remove brake hose from bracket. Remove ABS brake sensor clip from strut bracket (if equipped). (Scheme 1) Remove upper stabilizer bar link nut, and position aside. (Scheme 2) Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts. (Scheme 3) Remove upper mounting bracket nuts. (Scheme 4) Remove spring and strut assembly.

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check front end alignment, and adjust as necessary. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel, brake caliper and rotor. Remove wheel hub nut. Remove tie rod end cotter pin and nut. Using Tie Rod End Separator (T85M-3395-A), remove tie rod end. (Scheme 5)
2. If equipped, remove ABS wire bracket bolt and bracket. Remove bolts and ABS sensor, and position aside. Remove lower control arm nut and pinch bolt. (Scheme 6) Separate lower control arm from steering knuckle. Use Front Hub Remover (D93P-1175-B) to separate axle shaft from wheel knuckle. Remove strut assembly-to-steering knuckle nuts and bolts. Remove steering knuckle.

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove nut and pinch bolt securing lower ball joint to knuckle. (Scheme 6) Separate steering knuckle from lower ball joint.
2. Support subframe. Remove lower control arm bolts. (Scheme 7) Remove lower control arm.

Scheme 7

To install, reverse removal procedure. DO NOT tighten pivot bolts until vehicle is lowered and at operating level. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Removal & Installation

Raise and support vehicle. Remove left front wheel. Remove four bolts and two bushings. Remove two stabilizer bar links upper and lower nuts. (Scheme 8) Remove stabilizer bar and links. To install, reverse removal procedure. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 8

See HUB/STEERING KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.