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WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
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Three Ford Explorer Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly Maintenance Tips Every Owner Should Know
The shock and strut assembly of your Ford Explorer is one of the parts of your vehicle that requires constant maintenance. Suspension checkups are usually be done by a mechanic, but there are ways for you to ensure the shocks or struts of your ride are in good condition. Below are some tips on how to conduct maintenance of the Ford Explorer shock absorber and strut assembly:
- Do a "bounce" test.
One of the simple ways to determine the condition of the shock or strut is by conducting a "bounce" test. The test involves placing the weight of your body on one end of the vehicle—typically by pushing against the hood or trunk with your hands—and quickly releasing the weight. If the shocks or struts are in good condition, the vehicle should bounce once at stiff and steady rate. But if the vehicle bounces several times in quick succession, the shocks or struts are no longer absorbing energy properly.
- Be wary of any rattling sounds, especially when driving through uneven terrain.
If you hear your car's suspension rattling or clanking, look under the car and check for loose mounting bolts and worn bushings. The struts and shocks need firm mounting in order to absorb vibrations properly, so any loose or worn bolts and bushings definitely spell trouble. Tightening the bolts to their recommended torque and replacing any worn bushings usually solve this problem, but if the damaged bushings are integrated to the shock or strut, you will need to replace the entire assembly.
- Replace the shocks and struts in pairs.
If the worst-case scenario happens and one of the shocks or struts is beyond repair, it is recommended to also replace its counterpart on the other side of the vehicle. Even if the shock or strut next to the worn one is still in good operating condition, it is not likely to perform at the same level as a brand new shock or strut, resulting in less-than-ideal suspension performance. So if one of the struts or shocks fails, you should consider buying a pair as replacement. Some OEM manufacturers even recommend replacing the shocks and struts on all sides of the car when replacing the damaged parts with OEM-grade units.
The struts and shock absorbers are an indispensable part of any modern automotive suspension system, so once the struts and shocks of your Ford Explorer break down, it they have to be replaced as soon as possible.
Replacement of the Ford Explorer shock absorber and strut assembly is a task that is often done by a professional mechanic, but the process is straightforward enough for you to accomplish provided that you have the skills and the necessary equipment on hand. And should you decide to install a new pair of shocks and struts on your truck by yourself, here are some key tips that might help you out:
Tip #1: Use the strut bolts as reference
Located on each side of the windshield, the strut bolts are three bolts bunched together to hold the strut in place. These bolts will need to be removed later on, but you can use this as a point of reference in locating and removing the strut's other components.
Tip #2: Loosen the wheel's lug nuts (but don't remove them) before lifting the vehicle.
It will be a lot easier for you to loosen the lug nuts while the wheels are still on the ground compared to when they're already up in the air. Once the jack has lifted the chassis off the ground and the jack stands are in place, remove the lug nuts and the wheel itself from the axle.
Tip #3: Are the bolts refusing to budge? Use penetrating oil spray.
The bolts securing the struts to your vehicle's steering and suspension tend to accumulate dirt and grime, which can cause the bolt to "stick" onto to its mounting points and make removal difficult. But before you break out the impact wrench, which can potentially damage the bolt's threads, you can try spraying it first with penetrating oil. The oil can seep into the gaps of the bolts and break down the gunk buildup there for easier removal.
Tip #4: Be careful when dealing with the springs.
If you plan on keeping the springs on the strut or the shock, it's recommended to have them compressed and removed by a professional using a spring compressor tool. Trying to compress the spring on your own can result in injury and damage to the vehicle especially if you have little or no experience about the process.
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