How To Replace Rear Struts On 2002 Ford Explorer
I did this job yesterday, and since there was no info I could find on this forum to help me I thought I would post my experience to help out others. Sorry, no pics you will have to rely on my words. Also, my Explorer has almost 80,000 miles, and really I think my struts went bad back at 50,000.
I replaced them with Monroe Sensatrak Reflex and it made it drive like a new vehicle, not the log wagon it was. Also, sometime in 2005 Ford switched from shocks to struts. What you need: new struts, spring compressor(can be rented at auto parts store) and assorted tools (a good 1/2 inch breaker bar).
Buy FAERSI Rear Pair Complete Shocks Struts Assembly for 2002 2003 2004 2005 Ford Explorer & 2002 2003 2004 2005 Mercury Mountaineer Replaces# 171322: Struts - Amazon. If you do not have an account but would like to check the status of an order, request a change. FORD 2002 EXPLORER 4.6L V8 Suspension Strut / Coil Spring / Mount Assembly. Raises Rear 1-1/4'; w/o Air Suspension. RANCHO RS999905.
Jack up the rear and securely block up the vehicle. Remove wheel.
You need to remove some suspension components, the rears are designed very similar to a front suspension. First remove the bottom strut bolt. Next you need to remove the bolt that connects the A frame from the wheel hub just under the rotor. These came out pretty easy for me.
How To Replace Rear Struts On 2002 Ford Explorer Fuse Identification
There is a rubber post that connects the bottom A frame to the sway bar, this also needs to be disconnected. Now your bottom A frame should be free to move. Unbolt the three bolts at the top of the strut tower, you can access them from the top of the wheel well. This is slow work, a ratchet wrench, 1/2 inch, would work great. Now the strut and spring should be loose. You will need a pry bar to pry down on the lower A frame so that the top of the strut clears the frame and can be removed.
You would think that after you remove the bottom strut bolt that it would just slide down. Nope, Ford for some dumb reason put some tabs down there to prevent that. That is why you have to unbolt the bottom suspension. Now, set your assemble old strut on the table and use the spring compressors to take the tension off of the top plate. Be carefull, make sure they are on there securely, there is alot of poundage agaings that top strut plate. Once you feel that the strut is loose from the spring, you can remove the top nut and take the old strut out of the spring.
Reinstall the new strut in reverse order using the new bushings. Finally, remove the spring compressors. Installation is easy, just do everything in reverse order. Don't' forget to tighten everything really good. I am doing the fronts this week end. If there is anything different, I will post but I expect it to be the same operation, just with a little stronger springs. Your arm muscles will be sore from cranking the spring compressors, so have a couple of beers to ease the pain after the job is done.
Ford Explorer Replacement Struts Information Ford is a respected designer of rugged and long lasting vehicles that also afford innovative design. When you drive a vehicle engineered for high performance it needs the highest quality replacement parts. Successful automobile manufacturers know the inherent importance of great performance.
Ford Explorer Struts are quite tough but the internal shock absorbing component can wear out, involving replacement of the whole unit. One of the most essential pieces of the suspension system is the Struts, which are essentially shock absorbers mounted inside springs. The car's Struts dampen similar to the shock absorbers, but they also provide support for the suspension system. Struts integrate the purpose of the damper and lateral support; this removes any requirement for an upper suspension arm. MacPherson-type Struts are the most frequent kind used in vehicle suspension systems, and combine the shock absorber and a spring in one unit. If you're in the market for simple parts like oil pans or something as complex as EGR valves, PartsGeek has the parts your car or truck needs. We here at PartsGeek know what it's like to take pride in your car, and so we want to help you find the perfect parts for the job.
They are available for the following Ford Explorer years: 2017, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 17, 12, 11, 10, 09, 08, 07, 06, 05, 04, 03, 02. This part is also sometimes called Ford Explorer Shock. We stock struts parts for most Ford models including, and. We stock these Struts brands for the Ford Explorer: Monroe, FCS Automotive, KYB and SenSen. When you think about an SUV, you probably think of a Ford Explorer.
The Ford company has been around for quite awhile, and their SUV's have proven to be a reliable product. Other examples of this type of vehicle may be able to show a measureable superiority in various performance measurements, and there are certainly sport vehicles out there with a lot more visual flair than the average Explorer. However, one of the strengths of Ford series of is a particularly attractive aspect of the SUV's portfolio: their powerful suspension systems. Since 1991, Ford Explorer shocks have given this SUV and unmatched ride. A Great Vehicle Is Always Ready For Anything An SUV is a big vehicle, and a good SUV should be a strong vehicle as well. They are meant to haul heavy loads without any trouble and they should also be able to handle the road well. No one expects them to get great mileage, because that's not what SUV's do.
They burn a lot of fuel, they can go fast, they can go off road, into the muck and the snow, and they can haul freight. That's a long list of duties, but a good SUV can do it. One of the primary advantages that Ford SUV's have over ordinary cars are their resilient suspension systems. Powerful shock absorbers and struts are what allows an Explorer to carry weight and go off-road, and too many Ford Explorer struts problems would be able to sink the entire brand. Since the suspension systems of the Ford Explorer are so important to the brand as a whole, Ford has invested a great deal of effort into making their shocks and struts superior to the rest. Top-Notch Parts for Your Project If you feel that you need to perform a Ford Explorer strut replacement, working on your own with new parts, including new shocks, you will fund it easy to get your materials together. With their SUV's so popular, aftermarket products for Ford Explorers are offered by countless online businesses.
Try purchasing your new struts and shocks from an established parts supplier like PartsGeek.com, where some excellent bargains can usually be found on a daily basis. How much does it cost to replace struts on a car? You should be able to purchase one front pair of Explorer shocks and struts for $468 to $720. Keep in mind that you should always install new shocks and struts in pairs or quartets, and not to install pairs in an incorrect left or right direction, but in a correct front or back orientation.
This will prevent the suspension system from going out of balance, and disturbing the vehicle's alignment. Be Cautiously Self-Reliant Mechanics make a lot of money from shock and strut replacements.
With the right tools on hand, the job only takes about a half an hour of time. A garage can install a Ford Explorer shock absorber with a major profit on labor and parts, and that is money that you can keep when you perform your own installation. Remember that having the right equipment, such as a torque wrench and a power jack, is an absolute necessity for this job. Don't start until you have the right tools on hand and you've learned the procedure front to back.