How to Replace the Struts on a 1997 Taurus

The struts on the front wheels of your Ford Taurus need replacing if you feel excessive banging when driving in bumpy conditions. The strut assembly contains multiple parts, and often, changing the entire strut is a simpler operation. This is still a very difficult process, however, and consulting your mechanic beforehand is highly recommended. Replacing the struts in a 1997 Taurus is very similar to doing the same thing on its Focus counterpart.

Instructions

Removal

1

Raise the car's front end and support it on jack stands and then remove the front wheels. Open the hood and loosen the three mounting nuts at the top of the strut tower with a wrench; do not remove the nuts yet.

2

Separate the stabilizer bar from the strut by removing the nut connecting the bar link to the strut bracket. Remove the clip for the speed-sensor wiring guide and the bracket holding the brake hose on the strut.

3

Separate the steering knuckle from the strut, marking the relationship between the two parts with paint or white-out, removing the pinch bolt with a wrench and wiggling the knuckle and hub assembly off the strut. You may need to remove the entire steering knuckle from the car.

4

Remove the three upper mounting nuts while a second person holds the strut in place. Carefully guide the strut out of the fender well.

Replacement

5

Position the strut within the fender well with its three mounting nuts protruding out the top holes in the tower. Apply the mounting nuts and tighten them loosely.

6

Connect the steering knuckle to the strut using your markings and the pinch bolt.

7

Attach the stabilizer bar link on the strut bracket, tightening the nut to 57 ft-lbs. Connect the speed sensor's wiring clip and the brake-hose bracket onto the strut.

8

Tighten the upper mounting nuts on the strut tower with the wrench to 29 ft-lbs.

9

Reconnect the wheels and lower the Taurus after changing both struts.