Ford Taurus Rear Strut Removal & Installation

[@Livingstonshoedios]

I've got 20 + years in as a mechanic of all sorts, not just cars. semis, die casting machines the list goes on. this is still useful to me. much appreciated. I'm sure i could have gotten it, but its nice to see someone who knows do it first. i always tell the new guys, a good mechanic knows what they know and they know when they don't know. always ask questions, I do, all the time.

[@kellykoesling9309]

Thanks for the video. Easy to follow and understand. The 18mm bolt clamping the bottom of the strut was the biggest pain for me. A lot of penetrating oil, a large breaker bar, and some prayer were required to overcome 18 years of corosion due to Wisconsin winters. As a side note the seal on my back struts went bad and moisture got inside. Car drove fine in above freezing temperatures but as soon as the thermometer dropped below 0F° at night the struts would become hard as rock and provide no cushion at all. Took me a long time to realize what exactly was happening. Finally found a few posts that explained it. Very dangerous at highway speeds and hell on your neck and back.

[@8LLRoadranger]

Hey Man! What a great help... I just did the rear ones today on a 2007. At first, I did the front struts, and then noticed that the rear was squatting down like a rear-wheel drive hot-rod launching for a quarter-mile pass! This video is right on! THANK YOU!

[@jknicodemus4397]

Fantastic Video, Thank You! I was quoted $750 to have a shop perform this job for me. I purchased all parts on line then performed the job myself (with the help of this video). When removing the strut from the knuckle, I had to place a large socket on the end of my pry bar (used as a spacer) in order to get the strut all the way out. Otherwise, I followed your video and it went great. Thank You

[@TheTinkle1]

JK Nicodemus are you still alive after your mechanic fixings

[@monkeywrangler5200]

Thanks man, going to be doing this on an 03 Taurus, and this video was pretty much everything I think I'll need to tackle it with my old man. Appreciate it.

[@firebird890]

Awesome!!! I have an 03 taurus and I was told by a firestone mechanic that my rear coil spring was busted so this vid is very helpful! Thank you!!!:)

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yeah I would do the same as I did in this video and put on ready made struts then it is all new.

[@justinpeters7166]

Thanks for a good tutorial and fine explaining on all the steps. Always enjoying watching your videos and learning from you. !

[@Privateaero]

Wonderful video. I don't feel like I saw anything I didn't need to and you didn't skip any of the hard parts.

[@rusty_ram5416]

Just did this today, let those pinch bolts set with BG brand rust penetrant for a day and a half before I attempted to loosen them. Came out very easy with electric impact.

[@bentnickel7487]

For those folks that need to remove the pinch bolts, spray the bolts a couple of days BEFORE the removal and drive the car. Driving and spraying before the removal makes those bolts easier to remove. If they still don't want to turn, hit 'em with a little heat from a propane torch and they'll loosen up.

[@andrewoliver9686]

One strut is here and another is on the way. Can't wait to put them in!!

[@bradharper9282]

My car is a 2001 SES and those bolts weren't rusty at all!!! I dipped them in grease for good measure, but I'm lucky. Thanks for another great video!

[@RTXti-ld7dx]

Nice video with great attention to detail as always!! Thank you for taking the time to do these videos!! It's always nice to have tips from a well educated Ford tech who KNOWS what he is doing!! Recently bought a 02 Sable and have watched many of your videos so far, and subscribed as well!! Thank you once again for amazing videos!!

[@DanH4U]

Perfect video! My dad was quoted $700+ for the job. With your detailed instructions, we were confident to do this ourselves 😎

[@NINFRK]

Xd wow

[@jaronpoole5421]

Thanks for the informative video. I am going to do this to my 2006 Taurus due to it being a rear end low rider. Struts and springs need to be replaced.

[@pontala]

Thanks brother. the best instructional video so far. great!

[@douglasstewart1380]

Nice job putting this instructional video together - Thanks !

[@bpopa]

Great video. Short, to the point, and succinct. thank you.

[@scottstrid1771]

Very informative and I like the Christ Ian music In the back ground

[@scottstrid1771]

Christian

[@fleondodgen]

Best tips here with stabilizer and strut. I don’t have the tools (air) to remove without breaking. Actual 2000 Mercury manuals don’t show any of this information. Lift up and out the cardboard and felt to reach and remove the three screws holding the old strut connections (and vac and super clean the back windshield) is this the way to change that rear stoplight bulb? I’m 64 and willing but unable, but as a QA guy, this video will save you money. Maybe I’ll try again, if I don’t trade it in. Own a home, be a mechanic,electrician,plumber,carpenter, and I’ve got to cook and clean, too? No wonder I have no room to work.

[@mike_98058]

In the process of replacing all 4 struts/springs on an 02 Taurus SE. I'm struggling at one point in your video: at 4:30 you remove the lower strut from the knuckle. How did you remove it completely? Is it the reverse of the procedure at 11:00 where you reattach it? There it looks like your pry bar is wedged between two parts of the wheel/knuckle. Is that just to get some leverage to pull the whole wheel back a couple of inches. I just can't get that extra inch to remove the lower strut completely. I'll give Nick Myers approach a try. Hope I don't break anything!

[@dutchdekkers4071]

Thanks so much for this video. Really helped me fix my son's Taurus. Many thanks!

[@robertwells6394]

I hope you see this and respond. I am replacing struts to allow a mobility scooter post lift. Would i be better to get Taxi package struts?? Great vid, thank you

[@randygilmore6809]

Thanks for the video and I like ur choice of music way to represent

[@MyFriendPeter-d4k]

Great video, as are all of your videos! Also, I couldn't help but notice the Christian music playing in the backround.

[@SeeMooreVids]

Great instructional. We've been dealing with a pesky bang/rattle, from the left rear. Recently changed broken link rods but suspect broken spring. Soon as my broken foot heals I'll be done with that job.

[@NickMyers1]

I never remove the bolt at the bottom where the trailing arms attach. I just remove the pinch bolt, and hammer the knuckle down and off and pivot the drum assy. Looks like you are working on an SES Sport package Taurus based on the interior trim. Also good to check the rot spot where the parcel shelf rots out. The 96-99s are starting to have the strut poke through the parcel shelf in the rust belt. As usual great video!

[@FordTechMakuloco]

I have always removed that nut, it seems the knuckle fights you too much otherwise.

[@DerekBatesSr]

+FordTechMakuloco What size is the pinch bolt because I have to drill one out and I am at the hardware store now

[@DerekBatesSr]

+FordTechMakuloco the knuckle bolt

[@tylermoore6371]

I like the music in the background ;)

[@kansasnutt]

I'm going to be starting this soon....you did both rears at same time correct? you had car on 2 jack stands in the rear?

[@gsmithy7995]

I haven't looked yet but if the seats fild down do we really need to remove the bottom?

[@m.campbell2776]

Would this be the same on an '05 Ford Five Hundred ?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

no

[@m.campbell2776]

@@FordTechMakuloco Thank You for the quick response . You do Outstanding work - the best one KZbin by far .

[@m.campbell2776]

*on

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I'm not having any problems, I just want a better/smoother ride on my 2006 Ford 500 limited, should I just have front and rear struts replaced, and what about any other parts since going this far? Thank you, John

[@jimsvo4486]

Thanks for the video. I just did this job. Snapped off the bolt and needed to drill it out for hours. However, I did not need to remove the strut bar 13/16 (21mm) bolt. Mine is a 2004 Taurus SES so not sure if the one you are working on is different.

[@bentnickel7487]

Jim Svo, Ford designed the Taurus from 1996 to 2007 to be almost identical to this extraction. Only difference might be drum brakes on the rear, instead of disc, but you'll see when you get under it, it all is very familiar once you watch this video.

[@jasonouellette205]

Very informative video. Awesome job. I'm doing my wife's 2008 mercury sable. I can not locate a fully assembled struts for the car. Do they make one? Individual parts are more money and time.

[@stevemarshia7547]

Great video! You make it look too easy! Could you include the torque specs on all the bolts? thanks!!!

[@johntaurus5399]

I'm assuming this is about the same process for a 1995 Taurus (sedan), am I right? Also, I feel for you guys in the salt belt. Luckily my car has been in the South all its life. Good thing because I love these older cars and thankfully they're still around and rust-free. Thanks in advance for your reply and for this vid.

[@pillowbugg]

Would torching the rust on the cap of pinch bolt, then penetrating oil around it, work on badly rusted bolts? Or is that just a bad idea?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

It works you just need to watch it with a torch around gas filled struts.

[@wsvitak]

Thanks for the video. Very informative and detailed exactly what I needed. What kind of grease was that...the blue stuff? Thanks

[@Lake_Lover]

I'm in the middle of doing this repair on a 02 ses. 169,000 miles. Both the stab link and spring broke on the drivers side. Parts should be here tomorrow morning for reassemble. I know the pinch bolt is 60 ft lbs, but what is the spec for the trailing arm nut and the brake line bolt ? thanks in advance. Enjoy your video's. Thanks for your video's.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

+Mark McClain Trailing arm strut nut is 41ft lbs and the bolt for the brake line just snug it tight there is no spec in the book.

[@Lake_Lover]

Thanks ! New parts should be here any moment.

[@Lake_Lover]

Those two pinch bolts were rusted up pretty bad. Thanks goes to my air tools and lots of PB blaster lol !

[@stujohnson71]

so helpful! thank you so much. great info and tips in here and your description items are on point!!

[@fido139]

Thank you SO much! Two thumbs up!

[@tapoutbitch1]

Thank you so much for the video!

[@haggis4all]

Working on the front of an '04 Mazda 3, which has a similar pinch bolt and attaches to the knuckle/strut mount in the same manner as this Taurus. The passenger side went fine, but the driver side will not go back into the knuckle/strut mount! The angle of the knuckle/strut mount and the angle of the strut are both pointing out and working against each other. Raising the knuckle with a jack under the lower control arm seems to make the knuckle point further out, and thus fights against the angle the strut hangs at. I've even tried wedging a 8mm hex key into the gap for the pinch bolt to open the strut mount to no avail. Any thoughts on how to get the new strut back into the knuckle?

[@MrRockydee07]

WOW, The cars from backeast have the corrosion from the Salt on the road .....?

[@MrRockydee07]

@Snicker Doodle Another corrosion worse than that is your sarcastic aragent comment BS , STUPID Troll , Liberalism is killing you .

[@Shawn-wt9eq]

do you have to remove the back seats to get the struts out? Thats what my guy is telling me....

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yes just as shown in the video

[@bradley57]

Is there a replacement rear stabilizer bar? its impossible to buy one, they have all been discontinued

[@LSTeg1994]

Any chance you could tell me the name of the part holding the strut to the knuckle? I’ve been searching but can’t find anything. Thanks!

[@1doublet777]

Its great to see something on here that is very informative for the subject you are seeking information about that has Christian music playing in the back ground instead of some rap or heavy metal garb, and the person talking can do so without all the cussing. ( And if you just got to know, I listen to various types of music, and yes I do cuss, but not every other word.)

[@mattclapper955]

Great video! It helped! 👍🏻

[@ronbryansr9329]

how do you remove the pinch bolt that the bolt head broke off?

[@LPRO1685]

Good video. Broke the first bolt. Nightmare indeed!

[@IAmSmooth89]

What did you have to do? both of mine are broken off!

[@normanbeaulieu4204]

Jessica Danielle I know I’m late to the party but this just happened to me today and I’m wondering the rest way to fix this problem

[@MarkyMark928]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@davidbarthel9976]

That lower bushing is pressed into the knucle, therefore it is difficult. What about loosening the bolt at the other end where it attaches to the frame.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Even worse because of the rust here.

[@geremi140]

Where can I get replacement 18 mm pinch bolts, my mine are so corroded?

[@MateoHustles]

My dad blew a tire in my 1997 Taurus because bad road construction moving it against the tire one time I hadda take the tire off and move the springs away from it. When it popped the tire I took the spring off by spinning it around the strut and he still short driving it til I get some from junkyard but drove that car 20k with bad rear struts sagging with smaller tires in back I had like 9 people in the car lapping up before car scrapping lmao. But the gas tank has a hole in it now from the flat tire from the broken spring… I gotta fix that again now smfh.

[@sir_sleepsalot]

Both pinch bolts on my Taurus were seized and the cap broke off when I put "a little bit" of force to it. My car also keep cracking the stab-link rubber bushings, was it because I put those on too tight?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

hang li Most likely yes.

[@sir_sleepsalot]

Thanks for the reply! Qhat do you suggest is the right tightness to for the stap-link bushings? Thank you!

[@FordTechMakuloco]

When the bushings start to squeeze out is the best way to tell without a torque wrench.

[@drjohnsonhungwell5115]

I have an 03 Taurus with 170 k I think the fronts are bad and have never been changed it drives good but seems to bottom out over a hard bump but the tires are wearing ok and it drives good and straight I inherited it from my grandparents it had 148k and it's very clean , but I believe the rears are ok

[@aspidalspore9991]

What size is the middle nut on the strut after you take the 3 13mm ones off

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Most are 18mm

[@angeloc2836]

What size is the big strut bolt? Would it be the same size for a 2002 Mercury Sable?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Been awhile but the clamp bolt should be an 18mm

[@joseramos334]

What is the difference on struts with taxi package and without

[@KnightRider1983]

Can you put the year in the video description?

[@jordanledesma769]

How long did this process take roughly

[@krista8591]

Just never take out the bolts for the knuckle that was absolutely ridiculous there is no reason to remove that and you can run into a lot of problems if you do. If you doing it in your driveway it's roughly about an hour and a half to two hours if you take your time and do it slow

[@jericho7899]

Fordtech Do you recall what size and thread count the bolt connecting the strut mout to the hub assembly is? I cannot fimd this anywhere and ik I need two new ones

[@bentnickel7487]

To find the size of the bolt, lay under the car with several sized sockets in your hand and try each one. As to thread count, it's obvious you're not a mechanic, because that info has no bearing on getting the nut off the pinch bolt.

[@markwilson617]

You forgot to remove the negative battery cable first! That is always the 1st step. LOL

[@jroalan]

I have a banging coming from the right rear, (I isolated it by alternating manholes). No sway bar on my 2006, and the right rear is noticeably lower, but the spring is not cracked/broken. What could be the cause of the noise?

[@swiggy88]

what is the size of the pinch bolt for the back. i bought a used spindle as i couldnt drill out the pinch bolt. parts store doesnt have a "pinch" bolt.

[@swiggy88]

hardness length, you know the whole shebang, so i can go to a parts store and get one. thanks

[@FordTechMakuloco]

There is no info in the catalog for this particular bolt here is the Ford part number -N801942-S100

[@swiggy88]

so it will be a direct replacement for a rear pinch bolt on a 2000 to 2007 taurus ??? if so you are a boss !!!

[@FordTechMakuloco]

yes

[@swiggy88]

sorry just shocked lol that was a very quick reply, and i have been looking everywhere all day !

[@fonzo2525]

04 ford taurus ses,My drivers side sway bar link bottom bolt snapped off so i removed it because it was clunking,is it ok just to replace the one thats missing,or do i have to do both??,2nd ?,is there a trick to just putting one sway bar link in??,i tried and there's no room to get it in there,it's too compressed to fit the new link in:(,thx you in advance.

[@kb732]

I'm having trouble completely removing the strut from the wheel column. Any tips?

[@ashtons7194]

What do you do when one of the bolts snaps off in the knuckle holding the strut? Any suggestions would be helpful thanks

[@bentnickel7487]

Ashton S You drill out the bolt. To replace that bolt and nut, someone on another channel suggested a Grade 8 bolt and a Grade 8 locking nut from Lowes will work. I have not tried this to see if it works.

[@brimli1]

So- wire brushed the pinch bolt on rear strut and sprayed the shit out of it with pb blast- used a braker bar and started to come out then the head of the bolt snapped off- this is on a 95 ford taurus no not on other end- pointed large mounting bot with part of pointed threads showing on other side- any ideas- can i heat it up and will it feed thru the other side if i am able to grab and turn it with vice grips or am i shit out of luck- any help is appreciated.

[@Sauce.response]

Do you have to get an alignment after doing this procedure?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

no

[@madfield23]

I broke the bolt what do I have to do to get the rest out

[@alexandriamullett1390]

if there's any chance of you remembering how you did it, could you share? It's looking a lot like I will have to drill it out

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

Does anyone use spring compression clamps these days to recover the springs, or just more hassle? I suppose ready-made new is the way to go.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

+Peter Voss We sure to when the springs are ok for reuse these ones are just too far gone or have broken before anyone changed struts on a Taurus.

[@rbrtb48]

Thanks this is perfect

[@dianepittsbritt6945]

Sure don't make anything to ease do they Wow I'm over whelmed just watching you,but thanks for the video.

[@alexanderproefrock8721]

Anyone got recommendations for stubborn sway bar? I'm replacing it and I dont have much room for impact. My nut is on the top and the head is on the bottom. You think I could cut it in half?

[@firebird890]

Saved me over $450 at the very least in labor over this process

[@SGDeGalvez]

is there a camber adjust on this?

[@firebird890]

Rough estimate/guesstimate over actual cost thank you

[@tihogro4350]

Good job!

[@maximus1720]

can you put year make and model in video, thanks

[@hooton2000]

what is the bolt size and lenght?

[@Nutinwrkz]

Great freaking video.

[@DerekBatesSr]

does anybody know what size bolt I should use for the knuckle? I am replacing rear passenger side strut and I snapped it off and after drill it out I need to replace that bolt. S.O.S. help lol. great video btw

[@FordTechMakuloco]

+Derek Bates I have never measured it before. Most dealers have this bolt in stock. What's your vin I can see which one you need.

[@Ashman5510]

+Derek Bates Most people drill it out to 7/16. Folks at TCCA recommend a grade 8 through bolt, a couple of washers, and 2 nylock nuts, using one as a jam nut.

[@brianwalker1678]

Call your closest Ford dealer for a replacement, get 2 while your there. :~)

[@michaeljamesperrine]

great job. too bad i saw this after I did the job!

[@haroldreyes7549]

these cars(2000-2007) were really notorious for rear spring sagging. Ugly. I used Moog CC459 springs(variable rate style), with bare strut long ago. It raised rear up 2in., nice look,no more sagging. Later, aftermarket FINALLY put variable rate springs on their QuickStruts. Don't know if they are cc459's.

[@richardmcelroy6574]

Seems to be a common issue with this generation of Taurus. I love these cars and have replace nearly a dozen different vehicle with the same issue

[@santanaortega1]

great info.

[@NickAbbot.]

Thanks you very much. Wow! You have to take apart the whole rear seat. Sigh....

[@bentnickel7487]

It's really not that big of a deal, far more work under the rear of the car.

[@NickAbbot.]

Bent Nickel, thanks again. I had to replace both rear struts in my son's car the day he was leaving to go back to college. It took me all day, wrestling with rusted bolts. Removing the rear seat turned out to be the easy part. LOL!

[@Vengeance22788]

I got a 06 Taurus Ford and it needs struts! But if I can't do it any easier then you did it forget it!!! I'll sale the dam thing!! 1500$ good motor, transmission,runs and drives good new tires! May have some scratches but no dents! Interior is good! I have kept the oil changed but for some reason I can't get the mileage to show. It has digital mileage readings!!

[@superviber9784]

I’m here because my rear clamp bolt on my strut snapped off so now I’m wondering what the hell to do

[@addminusDIY]

Weld with nuts or tap and drill it

[@mph5896]

The suspensions on that design Taurus are a true pain to wrench on. After snapping a few pinch bolts I always heat the spindle up before removal. Front suspension work (ball joints-wheel bearings) is also a chore.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yeah heat on those bolts is always a good idea I just don't like to use it around gas struts.

[@mmike422]

did mine on my 02 taurus today that bolt broke lol had drill it out oh and reason i changed my strut went threw sidewall,guys if u can afford to not do it dont doit urself

[@mmike422]

i also didnt undo what u call the strut bar

[@Wydenproductions]

Do you need a power wrench?

[@FordTechMakuloco]

No but it would be much easier with one.

[@robertwhitright9816]

You tube, you are listening in on my phone conversations Aren't you? Seems kind of funny that when i talk to my freind about my rear struts this video pops up. You rotten bastards.

[@rh8278]

You need to show what you done not say I done this and that and not show anything until you put the strut back

[@firebird890]

I was told over $950 in repair on this spring

[@trevlouie]

1. heat up the bolt 2. spray it 3. heat it up again 4. spray it 5. start 18mm bolt still frickon broke.. does anyone know the proper bolt grade and size so I can replace, I'm getting 2 just I'm case

[@bentnickel7487]

Someone suggested Grade 8 bolts and Grade 8 locking nuts can be acquired from Lowes. I have not tried it to see if they work.

[@monkeywrangler5200]

Man even with your video I still snapped that rear stupid ass pinch bolt. Just such a bad design instead of a nut and bolt. Your vid was a nice pregame to what was on my way. Very dejecting outcome but yeah it snapped. Bound up and wouldn’t unbind.

[@reelwurld4Dz]

Just undo the top side of the away bar lol

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Ah I see you have never worked on a taurus from the rust belt.