Front Suspension: Removal & Installation Ford Explorer V

Installation

1. Position the wheel stud in the hub flange, making sure the serrations on the stud line up with the serrations in the hub flange. Install the washers and a reversed wheel nut.
2. Tighten the wheel nut until the wheel stud is seated against the hub flange.
3. Remove the wheel nut and the washers. Discard the wheel nut.
4. Install the brake disc. REFER to «FRONT DISC BRAKE SYSTEM»(ref-517543) .

Removal

1. Remove the wheel and tire. REFER to «WHEEL AND TIRE»(ref-517542) .
2. Using a crowfoot wrench, remove and discard the lower ball joint nut.
3. Push the lower arm downward until the lower ball jointstud is clear of the wheel knuckle.
4. Remove and discard the lower arm forward bolt.
5. Remove and discard the 2 lower arm rearward nuts and bolts.
6. If necessary, remove the lower arm rearward bushing. REFER to «Lower Arm Bushing»(ref-517541-S00222407242012121200000) .

1. If necessary, install the lower arm rearward bushing. REFER to «Lower Arm Bushing»(ref-517541-S00222407242012121200000) .
2. Install the 2 new lower arm rearward nuts and bolts. Tighten to 99 Nm (73 lb-ft).
3. Install the new lower arm forward bolt. Tighten to 265 Nm (195 lb-ft).
4. Insert the lower ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle and install the new lower ball joint nut. Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
5. Install the wheel and tire. REFER to «WHEEL AND TIRE»(ref-517542) .

1. Remove the lower arm. REFER to «Lower Arm»(ref-517541-S28535195502012121200000) .
2. Index-mark the position of the lower arm to the bushing to refer to during installation.
3. Using the 205-D002 (D79L-4621-A) Drive Pinion Bearing Cone Remover, a suitable press and adapters, remove the lower arm bushing.

1. Install 205-D002 (D79L-4621-A) onto the lower arm.
2. Transfer the index mark to the new lower arm bushing.
3. Align the index marks and, using 205-D002 (D79L-4621-A), a suitable press and adapters, install a new lower arm bushing.
4. Install the lower arm. REFER to «Lower Arm»(ref-517541-S28535195502012121200000) .

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. REFER to «JACKING AND LIFTING»(ref-517532-S17733021342012121200000) for lifting points.
2. Disconnect the HO2S electrical connector and unclip the connector from the subframe.
3. Vehicles equipped with 3.5L, remove the engine exhaust Y-pipe. REFER to «EXHAUST Y-PIPE»(ref-517548-S08700774252012121200000) .
4. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link lower nuts.
5. Remove and discard both tie-rod end nuts and separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
6. Remove and discard the 4 lower control arm rearward nuts and bolts.
7. Remove and discard the 2 lower control arm forward bolts and position both lower control arms aside.
8. Using a suitable jackstand, support the rear of the subframe.
9. Remove the 2 steering gear nuts and bolts.
10. Remove and discard the 4 subframe bracket bolts.
11. Remove and discard the 2 subframe forward bolts.
12. Remove and discard the 2 subframe rearward bolts.
13. Lower the rear of the subframe approximately 51 mm (2 in).
14. Remove and discard the 2 LH and 2 RH stabilizer bar bracket bolts.
15. Remove the stabilizer bar by guiding it between the subframe and the steering gear toward the RH side of the vehicle.

1. Install the stabilizer bar by guiding it between the subframe and the steering gear from the RH side of the vehicle.
2. Install the 2 new LH and 2 new RH stabilizer bar bracket bolts. Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
3. Raise the rear of the subframe.
4. Install the 2 new subframe rearward bolts. Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
5. Install the 2 new subframe forward bolts. Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
6. Install the 4 new subframe bracket bolts. Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
7. Install the 2 steering gear nuts and bolts. Tighten to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft).
8. Position both lower arms and install the 2 new lower control arm forward bolts. Tighten to 265 Nm (lb-ft).
9. Install the 4 new lower control arm rearward nuts and bolts. Tighten to 99 Nm (73 lb-ft).
10. Position the tie-rod ends to the wheel knuckles and install 2 new tie-rod end nuts. Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
11. Vehicles equipped with 3.5L, install the engine exhaust Y-pipe. REFER to «EXHAUST Y-PIPE»(ref-517548-S08700774252012121200000) .
12. Connect the HO2S electrical connector and clip the connector to the subframe.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. REFER to «JACKING AND LIFTING»(ref-517532-S17733021342012121200000) for lifting points.
2. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link lower nut.
3. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link upper nut.
4. Remove the stabilizer bar link.

1. Install the stabilizer bar link.
2. Install the new stabilizer bar link upper nut. Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
3. Install the new stabilizer bar link lower nut. Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

1. Position the wheel knuckle and install 2 new lower strut-to-wheel knuckle bolts and nuts. Tighten to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft).
2. While supporting the halfshaft in a level position, install the halfshaft into the wheel bearing and hub.
3. Push the lower arm downward and install the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle.
4. Using a crowfoot wrench, install the new lower ball joint nut. Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
5. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the wheel speed sensor bolt. Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
6. Position the tie-rod end stud into the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut. Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
7. Install the brake disc. REFER to «FRONT DISC BRAKE SYSTEM»(ref-517543) .
8. Using the previously removed wheel hub nut, seat the halfshaft. Tighten to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.
9. Install a new wheel hub nut. Tighten to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).
10. Install the wheel and tire. REFER to «WHEEL AND TIRE»(ref-517542) .

1. WARNING: Do not apply heat or flame to the shock absorber or strut tube. The shock absorber and strut tube are gas pressurized and could explode if heated. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury. WARNING: Keep all body parts clear of shock absorbers or strut rods. Shock absorbers or struts can extend unassisted. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury. NOTE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified. Loosen the upper strut mount nuts.
2. Remove the wheel and tire. REFER to «WHEEL AND TIRE»(ref-517542) .
3. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link upper nut.
4. Detach the wheel speed sensor harness from the strut.
5. Using a suitable jackstand, support the lower control arm.
6. Index-mark the 2 lower strut-to-wheel knuckle bolts.
7. Remove and discard the 2 lower strut-to-wheel knuckle nuts and bolts.
8. Remove and discard the 4 upper strut mount nuts. Carefully lower the lower control arm and remove the strut and spring assembly.

1. Position the strut and spring assembly and loosely install the 4 new upper strut mount nuts.
2. Position the strut and spring assembly to the wheel knuckle and install the 2 new lower strut-to-wheel knuckle nuts and bolts. Tighten to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft).
3. Attach the wheel speed sensor harness to the strut.
4. Install the a stabilizer bar link upper nut. Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
5. Tighten the 4 new upper strut mount nuts. Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
6. Install the wheel and tire. REFER to «WHEEL AND TIRE»(ref-517542) .
7. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front end alignment. REFER to «TOE ADJUSTMENT - FRONT»(ref-517539-S03148492392012121200000) and/ or «CAMBER ADJUSTMENT - FRONT»(ref-517539-S06581136202012121200000) .