Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best
service on the Internet.
Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto.
I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle,
think of 1AAuto.com.
Thanks.
In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the struts on this 2003 Mercury
Mountaneer.
We show you the passenger side.
The driver side is a similar procedure.
There is just one little different thing that you have to remove to get to the bolts.
This Mountaineer is basically the same as all Explorer, Ford Explorer, and Lincoln Aviator.
You'll need new front struts from 1AAuto.com; 8, 13, 19, and 24 millimeter sockets with
ratchet and a piece of pipe for some extra leverage; pry bar; jack and jack stands; and
a torque wrench.
Pry off the hubcap by using a flat blade screwdriver in the small slot on the side.
Once you get it started, you can just pull off around the edges.
We'll just fast forward as Mike removes those 19 millimeter lug nuts.
If you don't have air powered tools, you want to loosen them while the vehicle's on the
ground, raise the vehicle and remove them the rest of the way.
Now you can pull the wheel free.
At the top of your strut, are three 13 millimeter nuts.
Coat the top of those with some penetrating oil.
That little valve in the top of the picture is in the way, so use an 8 millimeter socket
and ratchet and remove the bolt for it, so it can move around.
Then, use a 13 millimeter socket and ratchet with extensions or, if you have them, use
air powered tools and remove those three nuts that hold the top of the strut.
You want to remove this bolt right here, so just spray the nut on the back first with
some penetrating fluid, and then, using a 24 millimeter socket and ratchet and a piece
of pipe for some extra leverage, just loosen that up and remove it.
Use a pry bar to pry the strut down and pull it forward and then up and out.
On the bottom, is the old strut.
Above it, is the new one from 1A Auto.
You can see, they're very similar and they'll fit exactly the same and work just the same.
Take your new strut from 1A Auto and feed it back into the lower control arm and angle
it up.
Then, just push those studs back up into place and replace those nuts.
After you get them all replaced by hand, you just want to tighten them up preliminarily.
Then, remove this nut.
Lower the wheel knuckle, so that you can get that bolt in the strut and then just push
the bolt in and hammer it in the rest of the way.
Put the nut on the other side and lock it into place.
Then, tighten up that bolt the rest of the way.
Now, in order to tighten up that bottom nut, you want to simulate like the weight is on
the suspension, so jack the suspension up and take the weight off the jack stand.
Then, you'll want to torque that nut to 130 foot-pounds.
Replace your wheel and then replace the lug nuts and tighten them in a crossing pattern.
You just want to tighten them most of the way, lower the vehicle and then tighten them
the rest of the way.
Torque the lug nuts in a crossing pattern to 100 foot-pounds.
Line up your hubcap and hit it back into place.
Then, torque these three nuts at the top of the strut to 30 foot pounds.
Replace the 8 millimeter bolt that holds that bracket and valve in place and tighten it
up.
We hope this video helps you out.
Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best
service on the Internet.
Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393.
We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.