2011 Ford Expedition Rear Strut Replacement

Replacing the rear coil over strut on a 2011 Ford expedition.
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Disclaimer: The information, demonstration and any content contained in this video is for informational purposes only. The user and The Back of the Truck Gang makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the effectiveness or safety of the contents of this video. In no way should the contents of the video, including the tools used, be repeated or tried by anyone. Viewers should only seek the help of a trained professional located at a licensed auto repair shop for any fix, modification, alteration, or any change to their vehicle. The Back of the Truck Gang shall not be liable for any injury, damage, or loss to any person or property that may result from use of the tools, equipment, or any content contained in this video. In addition, there is no way to guarantee that the video is not altered or modified or is not in the final form submitted by The Back of the Truck Gang and therefore, The Back of the Truck Gang does not warrant that the video is unaltered or not modified. The links on this video to products are for informational purposes only and in no way are an endorsement of the safety or effectiveness of the particular product. Viewers understand that anything contained in this video or linked to or from this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and in no way provides an express or implied warranty as to the safety or effectiveness of any linked tool, product, or video. Therefore, viewer agrees to release, waive, and discharge The Back of the Truck Gang or anyone affiliated with The Back of the Truck Gang, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the viewer, or to any property belonging to viewer, regardless of whether the loss is linked to the use of the contents of this video, or otherwise and regardless of whether such liability arises in tort, contract, strict liability, or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

[@Smokin-kw2hm]

Thank you both. I’ll start today. By taking tires off and spray all screws with that w-D 40. Thanks for the video fellows. U guys rock.

[@trafficsignalman]

Glad you found the video useful!

[@coetken]

there's a way easier way than this video shows. screw taking all the nuts off the different pieces of suspension. i just did my 2014 and all components are the same as this video. all you have to do is remove the tire, loosen and remove upper then lower strut / shock bolts, then remove lower arm to frame bolt (other big bolt further inboard from lower strut / shock bolt). change out strut, and do everything back in reverse. easy peasy. this is a good video though.

[@anikin1999]

That's how I did mine too

[@toddgunther5748]

any tricks or tips for this method? anything tough that you ran into?

[@brv002]

I did the same on my 2015 expedition. Definitely don't need to take off that many suspension components like these guys did. I did have to remove the lower ball joint for more clearence and it was easy to take off the shock then. I'd recommend to get a high powered impact wrench to remove the 30mm nut on the strut and 27mm bolt on the control arm.

[@georgebeorman3390]

Finally, a no nonsense vehicle maintenance tutorial done with tools everyone has access too. Great video really helped save money on a strut replacement.

[@trafficsignalman]

George Beorman thank you. That is the reason it was done. Glad it was helpful.

[@rand2aura]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I replaced my struts last weekend on my 2011 expedition. All mm sockets were right on. Such a great help.

[@trafficsignalman]

Randy Willer thank you, I am glad it was helpful.

[@knappe3223]

1 day later and 1st strut is just about done, you are a good man for uploading this. Im mechanically inclined, but never done suspension work, what a pain in the ass.

[@trafficsignalman]

STreet Tards, I agree, suspension is a pain. I appreciate your kind words, and happy to know the video helped.

[@RabidCapricorn]

1500.00 for front and rear strut replacement at the Ford dealer. I'm not a mechanic but this tutorial was very easy to follow. Thank you.

[@specfever2]

I bought some Bilstein 4600 for all four corners for $300 bucks. I'm buying a set of impact sockets for $40. I'm baling at the stabliizer links b/c they are ~$50 apiece - $200. But geez. That's $550 plus my own time compared to 1500+.

[@demedlinjr]

You guys are AWESOME for uploading this video.

[@trafficsignalman]

Thank you. Glad it helped.

[@filibertobarrera3839]

Ur mechanic is awesome no gloves and grime all up in his ears.Thats a real mechanic.

[@robertemmons1811]

Thanks for sharing it helped greatly. Exactly as stated, Tried leaving top linkage hooked up,it did not work couldn't clear, ended up detaching. Saved some $$, Thanks again

[@trafficsignalman]

Thanks, Robert!

[@chefred112]

thanks, this helped out immensely..a couple things I didn't do that you did but probably would have made it easier if I totally followed your steps..I didn't loosen that smaller arm that you did to hold it out of the way, I was able to work around it. Also, i didn't unbolt anything below the axle, I just had to apply force on the hub to lower enough for the top of strut to clear the upper cup area. But overall this visual helped out alot as I did this myself.

[@trafficsignalman]

chefred112 I tried to do it not loosening the arm. Was just too much hassle. Glad you found the video helpful.

[@chefred112]

Also, this setup is exactly the identical setup on my 2008 Expedition

[@specfever2]

I have experience replacing struts in my past vehicles, smaller than this one, seemingly less complicated (Corolla, Grand Caravan). How long would you estimate this job is for your guys? How long for an experienced amateur? I've got a rust-free vehicle so no problems due to that...

[@trafficsignalman]

Alan, I am not great at estimating time. If you have modern tools (battery operated or air impact) it would be much faster than what I did. I set aside an entire day for all 4 wheels. It took about 9 hours, but we were not rushing, and we were shooting video. By the time we got to the last wheel, it moved pretty fast.

[@knappe3223]

Does the direction matter when installing the strut? I got a set of 4 duarlo OEM style replacment struts....i have the old strut out, just want to make sure, as long as 3 holes line up its good right? there is no forward or back on the strut as long as you use the rear struts on the rear their direction is ok

[@trafficsignalman]

As far as I know, correct. Three studs in the three holes up top, and the main hole underneath lines up with the bracket.

[@knappe3223]

Signal Man thanks partner

[@SunburstXX]

It does matter. Found out the hard way. Top bolts won't line up if you put the strut in backwards

[@ilc-nl3yy]

How many miles did the truck have when you changed these? I just bought a 2012 Expedition King Ranch with only 39k miles

[@trafficsignalman]

About 142K was on the vehicle when we changed these. It was overdue, IMHO.

[@ilc-nl3yy]

@@trafficsignalman I guess I have a while🤣

[@trafficsignalman]

@@ilc-nl3yy buying a 2012 with only 39k on it is amazing. Just stay on top of the maintenance. I hope it gives you a long and uneventful ownership.

[@ilc-nl3yy]

@@trafficsignalman Thanks!

[@ilc-nl3yy]

@@trafficsignalman It's in mint condition

[@DementedButtHole]

This video should come with a disclaimer though: some Expeditions have lower strut bolts welded on so bad that any combination of heat and even a 1 inch impact won't break them loose. Therefore, the lower strut bolts should be loosened first just to ascertain if the job can be done at home at all.

[@trafficsignalman]

Good point.

[@giunick99]

Too much of removal. It is actually a 5 bolt removal job. Inner lower control arm bolt, 3 top strut nuts and the bottom bolt from the strut.

[@tonys9783]

Yea too much removal with these guys, Same did mine 3 strut nuts and inner lower control arm bolt, bottom bolt from the strut. I got mine changed in 30 minutes lol

[@trtrvdcv]

When's the short version get released

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Does anyone know if this install would be the same on a 2016 Expedition?

[@trafficsignalman]

I do not, but I recommend a channel called FordTechmakuloco the owner is a certified Ford tech, and he would have that answer.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Actually it is the same. I performed the strut replacement on both sides, two weeks ago. Thank you for this video. It definitely helped!

[@trafficsignalman]

Glad it helped.

[@jeffeastman625]

Ugh. If you don’t have a ratcheting 15mm wrench for those strut mount bolts... you’d better bring a pillow, a friend, and a ham sandwich. 🤣

[@bthompson1767]

Need some modern tools

[@trafficsignalman]

Brian, I agree, but you use what you got till it's broke. I am slowly modernizing my tools.

[@bthompson1767]

@@trafficsignalman also don't tighten the bottom bolt to strut until you lowered the vehicle

[@bthompson1767]

Struts aren't easy but you did a good job

[@trafficsignalman]

@@bthompson1767 thank you.

[@joshdebity1129]

Brian Why do you not want to tighten bottom strut bolt until your lowered to the ground?

[@bthompson1767]

Don't hang your caliper like that

[@trafficsignalman]

Brian, how would you do it?

[@bthompson1767]

@@trafficsignalman bungee cord

[@trafficsignalman]

@@bthompson1767 will do that next time, thx!