Ford FOAZ-18125-A Shock Absorber Assembly

You can Select Your Vehicle to check if FOAZ-18125-A fits your vehicle.

Remove the shock absorber upper attaching nut, washer and bushing. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Remove the two bolts which attach the lower end of the shock absorber to the lower control arm. Remove the shock absorber through the hole in the lower control arm. Inspect the bushings and grommets for cracks, tears, and deterioration, and replace as necessary. Install a new hydraulic shock absorber after bleeding the air from it. Install all bushings and grommets in the order they were removed. Use a floor jack to raise the lower control arm if necessary. If the threads in the lower control arm are stripped or damaged, install locknuts on the self-tapping bolts. Tighten all fasteners to the specified torque.

Use the floor jack to raise the lower control arm and disconnect the upper control arm from the spindle.

On models with air suspension, turn off the air suspension switch and disconnect the height sensor connector link before allowing the rear suspension to hang past its normal point of full rebound. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. If the vehicle is a pre-1992 model with automatic leveling rear suspension and coil springs, allow the rear axle to hang free until the shock absorbers are finished venting through the compressor. Support the rear axle with a floor jack to prevent it from dropping when the shock absorber is disconnected. If removing an air assisted shock absorber, detach the air line. Locate the upper retaining nut for the shock absorber on top of the frame and remove the nut, washer, and insulator. Compress the shock absorber to clear the hole in the frame and remove the inner insulator and washer. On certain models, open the trunk, remove the side trim panel, and remove the upper mounting nut from the shock absorber rod. Remove the lower retaining nut or bolt and remove the shock absorber from the vehicle. Before installing a new hydraulic shock absorber, expel all air by extending and compressing it multiple times. Place the inner washer and rubber insulator on the shock piston rod and insert the rod through the upper mounting hole in the frame. Install the outer insulator, washer, and a new stud retaining nut on the upper side of the frame. On specific models, install the inner washer and rubber insulator on the shock rod and insert the rod through the upper mounting hole. Push up on the shock absorber to align the lower shock eye in the mounting bracket and install the bolt and nut. Then install the upper mounting rubber insulator and the dished washer on the shock rod and tighten the nut. Extend the shock absorber, insert the lower shock stud through the hole in the bracket on the axle tube, and install a new self-locking retaining nut. Attach the air line(s), if equipped. Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle. Before driving a vehicle equipped with air suspension, turn on the air suspension switch, start the engine, and allow the compressor to inflate the air suspension springs.

Visually inspect the components for damage, leaks, and worn seals, boots, and fittings.

This procedure is specific to 1982 through 1987 Continentals and 1984 through 1992 Mark Vlls. The struts on these models cannot be serviced and must be replaced as complete assemblies. To begin, loosen the front wheel lug nuts and raise the vehicle, supporting it securely on jackstands. Remove the wheel and the disc brake caliper, hanging it out of the way with wire. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm and raise it slightly. Unscrew the three upper mount to strut tower retaining nuts, and if the upper mount is to be removed from the strut assembly, loosen the center nut. Remove the strut to steering knuckle nuts and bolts, separating the two components and lifting the strut out of the wheel well. If the upper mount is to be replaced, remove the center retaining nut and slide off the mount. To install, place the upper mount over the top of the strut and install the nut if it was removed. Guide the strut assembly into position in the wheel well, pushing the upper mount studs through the holes in the shock tower. Install the three nuts and tighten them to the specified torque. Insert the steering knuckle into the lower mounting flange of the strut assembly and install the two bolts, using new bolts and nuts if recommended. Tighten the nuts to the specified torque. Finally, tighten the upper mount to strut assembly retaining nut to the specified torque. Remove the jack from under the control arm and install the disc brake caliper. Install the wheel, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque.

To inspect the damper rod seal, you should extend and retract the damper rod slowly and quickly through its full stroke. It should move smoothly, quietly, and offer resistance. If it is jerky, noisy, or offers little to no resistance, the shock absorber should be replaced.

The rod can be prevented from turning by holding it with a wrench or locking pliers.