How to Install Struts on a 1999 Ford Taurus

Struts protect a car's suspension by absorbing the stresses from uneven pavement. If your Ford Taurus takes a bump or a pot hole harder than usual, you need to install new struts. A 1999 Taurus sedan will have rear struts along with front struts while the wagon model only has full struts on the front and simpler shock absorbers in the rear. Changing the struts on either side is a very difficult process.

Instructions

Front Struts

1

Raise the car's front end, support it on jack stands and remove the wheels with a tire iron.

2

Loosen the three upper mounting nuts at the top of the assembly without removing them. Disconnect the speed sensor's wiring guide clip and the brake hose bracket from the strut assembly.

3

Disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the strut by removing its nut with a wrench. Remove the pinch bolt to separate the steering knuckle from the strut.

4

Remove the three upper mounting nuts ,while an assistant supports the strut assembly, then guide the strut assembly out of the wheelwell.

5

Guide the replacement strut into the wheelwell and make sure the three upper mounting struts go through the holes at the top of the tower. Install the mounting nuts without tightening them while your assistant supports the strut.

6

Connect the steering knuckle and the stabilizer bar to the strut assembly using their nuts and a torque wrench; tighten the steering knuckle pinch bolt to between 72 and 97 foot-pounds and the stabilizer link nut to between 57 and 75 foot-pounds. Connect the brake hose bracket and the speed sensor wiring guide clip to the strut.

7

Tighten the strut's upper mounting nuts to between 22 and 29 foot-pounds, then reconnect the wheels and lower the car.

Sedan Rear Struts: Removal

8

Remove the car's rear seat--push back on the seat cushion in the front center area to release its clips and lift the cushion out of the car, then unbolt the seat back's bottom edge with a wrench, raise it up at the bottom, remove the upper bolts and remove the seat cushion.

9

Pull up the door's scuff plate at the rear to uncover the upper quarter trim panel, then grasp that panel and pull it away. Pull the parcel shelf panel forward and lift it up to remove it.

10

Raise the car's rear end and support it on jack stands, then remove the rear wheel(s). Block the front wheels with wheel chocks.

11

Unscrew and remove the bolts connecting the brake proportioning valve to the control arm then disconnect the brake hose bracket from the strut.

12

Remove the stabilizer bar bracket from the car body then separate the bar from its link by removing its nut and washer with the wrench.

13

Remove the nut connecting the tension strut to the spindle along with its washer and bearing, then move the spindle to the rear to separate it from the tension strut.

14

Tie the spindle and brake assembly to the chassis with wire, remove the pinch bolt and spread the pinch joint with a screwdriver to separate the spindle and the strut. Wiggle the knuckle and hub assembly to separate it from the strut.

15

Remove the upper mounting nuts and lift the strut assembly out of the car.

Sedan Rear Struts: Installation

16

Insert the stabilizer bar link into the shock absorber bracket and install the washer and nut, tightening the nut to between 25 and 33 foot-pounds. Guide the strut into the wheelwell so the mounting studs are in their holes and install the mounting nuts without tightening them.

17

Connect the strut to the spindle by aligning the blade on the strut's back side with the spindle's pinch joint slot. Remove the wire on the spindle and brake, install the pinch bolt and tighten it to between 50 and 67 foot-pounds.

18

Pull the spindle back to connect it to the tension strut then install its bushing, washer and nut, tightening the nut to between 35 and 46 foot-pounds.

19

Attach the stabilizer bar to its link then fit the brackets to connect the stabilizer bar to the chassis, tightening all its fasteners with the torque wrench. Connect the brake hose bracket to the strut with its bolt then connect the proportioning valve rod to the suspension arm with its bolts.

20

Tighten the strut's upper mounting nuts to between 19 and 25 foot-pounds.

21

Reinstall the trim panels on the parcel shelf in the car, then reinstall the back seat with the bolts and clips for each cushion.

22

Reconnect the wheels and lower the car off the jack stands.