How to Change the Shock Absorbers on a Mercury Mountaineer

The Mercury Mountaineer is a mid-size SUV that shares a platform with the Ford Explorer. The Mountaineer uses standard shock absorbers on all four wheels. Worn shock absorbers can cause improper tire wear, poor ride and an unsafe driving condition. Worn shocks will allow excessive body roll when cornering, and nose dive when braking. If you push down hard on a corner of the vehicle and it rebounds more than twice, you should replace the shock. Shocks should always be replaced in pairs, such as both front or both rear ones.

Instructions

Front Shocks

1

Park the Mountaineer on a level, paved surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels. Raise the front of the Mountaineer and support with jack stands. Finish removing the lug nuts and wheels.

2

Place a wrench on the shock absorber piston rod, underneath the upper shock mount and use another wrench to remove the nut from the top of the rod. Remove the cupped washer and rubber insulator.

3

Use a ratchet and socket to remove the nuts from the two shock absorber studs at the bottom of the shock, where it attaches to the lower control arm. Lower the shock through the lower control arm and remove it.

4

Place a new rubber insulator on the top of the piston rod. Slide the shock up through the lower control arm and guide the piston rod through the hole in the upper mount. Install the nuts on the studs at the lower control arm finger tight.

5

Place a new rubber insulator on the top of the shock rod. Install a new washer with the cupped side facing down. Install and tighten the nut. Tighten the two nuts on the lower control arm.

6

Install the wheels and lug nuts. Raise the Mountaineer, remove the jack stands, lower it to the ground and tighten the lug nuts.

Rear Shocks

7

Block the front wheels with wheel chocks. Raise the rear of the Mountaineer with the jack and support with jack stands. It is not necessary to remove the rear wheels.

8

Use a ratchet wrench and socket to remove the nut and washer from the lower shock mount. Do not remove the bolt yet.

9

Use a ratchet and socket to remove the two nuts from the studs at the upper shock mount. Remove the bolt from the lower shock mount. Pull the bottom of the shock from its mounting bracket and remove the shock.

10

Guide the new shock into position with the two studs in the upper shock mount. Push the bottom of the shock onto the lower mount and install the bolt. Install and tighten the two top nuts. Install and tighten the lower washer and nut.

11

Raise the rear of the Mountaineer, remove the jack stands and lower it to the ground.