Ford FOAZ-18125-A Shock Absorber Assembly

Start by loosening lug nuts and raising the vehicle. Remove the wheel and place a jack under the control arm. If equipped with ARC, remove the actuator. Loosen the three upper mount-to-shock tower nuts, but don't remove them. Remove the shock-to-lower control arm nut and bolt, and separate the shock absorber/coil spring assembly. Remove the stabilizer link upper nut and separate it from the spindle. Use the jack to raise the control arm and disconnect the upper control arm. Remove the shock absorber/coil spring assembly. To install, place the upper mount over the new assembly and install the nut. Guide the assembly into the wheel well and install the three nuts. Attach the assembly to the lower control arm and install the stabilizer link. Tighten all nuts. If applicable, attach the actuator. Remove the jack, install the brake caliper, and the wheel. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts.

Remove the shock absorber's upper nut, washer, and bushing. Lift the vehicle and secure on jackstands. Detach the two bolts connecting the shock absorber to the lower control arm and remove it. Check the bushings and grommets for damage and replace if needed. Install a new, air-bled hydraulic shock absorber. Reinstall all bushings and grommets in their original order. Use a floor jack to lift the lower control arm if needed. If threads in the arm are damaged, use locknuts on the bolts. Tighten all fasteners to the required torque.

Some models use Torx bolts to secure the lower ends of the rear shock absorbers. If this is the case and the proper size Torx driver is not available, it should be purchased before starting the job, as substituting an Allen wrench may strip out the bolt head. To remove the shock absorbers, first raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands, then support the rear axle with a floor jack to prevent it from dropping when the shock absorber is disconnected. For two-door models, open the trunk; for three-door models, open the rear compartment and remove the trim panel access door. Next, remove the upper mounting nut from the shock absorber rod, holding the rod with a wrench or locking pliers if necessary. Remove the lower mounting bolt or nut, separate the bottom of the shock absorber from the mounting bracket, and take it out of the vehicle. For installation, expel all air from the new hydraulic shock absorber by holding it right side up and extending it fully, then turning it upside down and compressing it completely, repeating this process at least three times. Place the inner washer and rubber insulator on the shock rod and insert it through the upper mounting hole; note that gas shocks will extend by themselves unless equipped with a restraint strap. For models with a lower mounting stud, slip the end of the shock absorber over the stud, install the nut, and tighten it securely. For models with a lower mounting bolt, push up on the shock absorber to align the lower shock eye in the mounting bracket, then install the bolt and nut. For models equipped with a self-wrenching nut, start the bolt into the nut by hand and let the nut turn by itself until it stops, then tighten the bolt securely. Finally, install the upper mounting rubber insulator and the dished washer on the shock rod, install the nut, and tighten it securely, followed by reinstalling the trim panel access door for three-door models.

This procedure is specific to 1982 through 1987 Continentals and 1984 through 1992 Mark Vlls.

The side trim panel needs to be removed from the rear compartment.

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.

Removal starts by removing the shock absorber upper attaching nut, washer, and bushing to detach the upper end of the shock absorber. For upper balljoint replacement on 1992 and later models, it's crucial to mark the location of the alignment marks on the adjustment cams before removing the two retaining nuts.

Unscrew the three upper mount-to-shock tower retaining nuts. If the upper mount is to be removed from the strut/shock absorber assembly, loosen (but do not remove) the center nut at this time.

If fluid leakage is evident, replace the shock absorbers as a set.

Allow the rear axle to hang freely until the shock absorbers finish venting through the compressor. Support the rear axle with a floor jack to prevent it from dropping when the shock absorbers are disconnected.