How to Change Front Shocks on a 1995 Ford Bronco XLT

Prior to 1966, Ford lagged behind Jeep and International in the SUV department -- Jeep had the CJ-5, and International had the Harvester Scout. The 1966 release of the Bronco -- a compact SUV -- suddenly put Ford right in the mix. In 1978, Ford completely redesigned the Bronco, making it a full-sized SUV based on Ford's best-selling F-series pickups. The Bronco received national attention on June 17, 1994 as O.J. Simpson's low-speed getaway vessel after his suspected involvement in his former wife's murder. Just two years later, in 1996, Ford replaced the Bronco with the more modern Expedition. Replacing the front shocks on the 1995 Bronco XLT requires only basic tools and mechanical knowledge.

Instructions

1

Loosen, but do not remove, the front log nuts, using a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the Bronco off the ground, using a floor jack, then position jack stands under either end of the front axle. Lower the Bronco onto the jack stands. Remove the front lug nuts and pull the front wheels off the SUV.

2

Find the retaining nut on the top of the upper shock bracket. Remove the shock-retaining nut, using a ratchet and deep-well socket. Pull the rubber bushing and metal washer off the upper shock stud.

3

Trace the shock downward until you find the nut and bolt securing the shock to the lower shack bracket. Remove the nut from the bolt, using a combination wrench to hold the bolt steady, while turning the nut with a ratchet and socket. Pull the bolt from the shock and shock bracket. Pull the shock out of the bracket, then downward out of the Bronco.

4

Place a new bushing -- included with the new shocks -- on the upper stud on the new shock. Slide the upper shock stud through the hole in the upper shock bracket. Slide the lower shock mount into the lower shock bracket, then slide the bolt through the bracket and shock mount. Hand-tighten the nut onto the end of the lower shock bolt.

5

Slide a new rubber bushing, then a new metal washer -- included with the new shocks -- onto the upper shock stud. Hand-tighten the upper shock nut onto the upper shock stud.

6

Tighten the upper shock nut to 25 to 35 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and deep-well socket. Tighten the lower shock bolt and nut to 52 to 74 foot-pounds, using a combination wrench to hold the bolt steady, and a torque wrench and socket to tighten the nut.

7

Repeat Steps 2 through 6 to replace the front shock on the other side of the Bronco.

8

Install the front wheels onto the Bronco's front hubs, then hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the SUV off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the Ford to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts, in a crisscrossing pattern, to 100 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.