How to Install Rear Shocks in a 2001 Ford Escape

The 2001 Ford Escape uses simple shock absorbers on the rear wheels rather than full struts. This can make replacing them easier than struts, but this particular vehicle requires a bit more work. You need to access the car frame from both the inside and outside of the car in order to remove and replace a shock absorber on this model. You must change the shocks if you feel any excessive banging in the rear end, and you should replace the shocks on both wheels.

Instructions

Removal

1

Block the Escape&039;s front wheels, then raise the vehicle&039;s rear end with a floor jack and support it on jack stands. Remove the rear wheels.

2

Position and raise the floor jack under the rear end of the axle&039;s trailing arm, raising the jack just enough for it to take the pressure off the shock&039;s lower mount.

3

Unscrew and remove the fasteners for the rear quarter trim panel inside the vehicle and remove the trim panel. The mounting nuts for the shock absorber are behind the panel.

4

Remove the two mounting nuts on the shock absorber, grasping the bottom nut with one open-ended wrench while you remove the one on top of it with another wrench, and then removing the bottom one. Remove the upper and lower retainers and bushings.

5

Remove the lower mounting nut and then pull the shock off its mounting pin, making sure you see and note how the retainers are positioned.

Installation

6

Connect the replacement shock absorber onto the mounting pin with the retainers in the correct position. Install the lower and upper mounting nuts with the retainers and bushings.

7

Tighten the lower mounting nut to 85 ft-lbs. if you have a torque wrench available. Tighten the upper nuts to 156 in-lbs.

8

Reinstall the inner trim panel for the rear quarter with its fasteners.

9

Reconnect the wheel and lower the vehicle off the floor jack and the jack stands once you have changed the shocks on both wheels.