How to Change the Front Struts and Springs on the 2002 Ford Focus ZX3

The 2002 Ford ZX3 came equipped with a McPherson strut front suspension. In this type of system, the coil spring that supports the weight of the vehicle mounts on the strut assembly. Replacement of the strut or the spring requires the use of a strut spring compressor available at most large auto parts stores. Many auto parts stores and auto repair shops will assemble the spring and strut assembly for you for a small fee.

Instructions

1

Apply the parking brake and block the rear wheels using wheel chocks. Loosen the four lug nuts on the wheel using a 19 mm lug wrench. Position the floor jack under the front subframe. Lift the car until the wheel is off the ground and slide a jack stand under the front subframe. Remove the lug nuts and lay the wheel aside.

2

Remove the 14 mm nut that attaches the sway bar end link to the bracket welded to the strut, using a wrench to turn the nut while holding the end link stud with an Allen wrench. Wiggle the rubber brake hose out of the remaining bracket on the strut.

3

Remove the 15 mm pinch bolt that attaches the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle using a socket and ratchet. Wrap a piece of chain around the lower control arm, near the ball joint, and bolt the ends of the chain together using a spare nut and bolt.

4

Slide the pry bar through the chain and position it against the frame. Pry the control arm down until the strut slides out of the steering knuckle. Remove the three 13 mm upper strut mounting nuts, from the upper strut mount in the engine compartment, using a socket and ratchet.

5

Slide the strut out of the wheel well. Lay the strut on it's side on a work bench. Position the strut spring compressors on the strut spring 180 degrees apart. Tighten the center bolts of the compressors evenly until the spring is loose in the strut mounts.

6

Remove the large center nut on the top of the strut using a 21 mm socket and ratchet. Slide the upper mount and the spring off the old strut. Slowly and evenly reduce the pressure on the strut spring compressors until the spring is completely decompressed.

7

Transfer the spring isolator and dust boot from the old strut to the new strut. Compress the new coil spring using the spring compressors and slide it onto the strut.

8

Place the upper strut mount onto the top of the strut and install the 21 mm retaining nut using a socket and ratchet. Position the bottom of the coil spring into the recessed area of the spring isolator and slowly decompress the coil spring until it is tight against the upper mount.

9

Slide the new strut assembly into the wheel well and push the three upper mount studs into the mounting holes. Start the three upper mount nuts by hand. Pry the lower control arm down and slip the lower end of the strut into the steering knuckle. Reinstall the pinch bolt in the steering knuckle. Reinstall the sway bar end link and brake hose into the strut brackets.

10

Torque the upper strut bolts to 18 foot-pounds, the lower pinch bolt to 66 foot-pounds and the sway bar end link nut to 37 foot-pounds. Reinstall the wheel and torque the wheel to 100 foot-pounds. Remove the jack stands and lower the car. Repeat the process for the remaining front strut and spring.