You can enhance the performance of the suspension on your Ford Expedition by replacing the shock absorbers every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Replacing them isn't overly complicated, but it can be a little tricky. The amount of money you would save on labor charges that local repair shops or dealers would charge would make the venture well worth the attempt. Pay a little more for a good-quality shock absorber and save the rest of the money by putting them in yourself.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
things you'll need:
- Floor jack
- Jack stands (2)
- Wheel chock
- Ratcheting wrench set
- Vise grip pliers
- Box end hand wrench set
- 1/2-inch drive ratchet
- 1/2-inch drive socket set
- Safety glasses
- Creeper (optional)
- Replacement shock absorbers
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How to Replace Ford Expedition Front Shocks
- 1 Park the Ford Expedition on a flat paved surface and apply the parking brake. Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.
- 2 Remove the upper retaining nut on the left front shock while holding the stem. Use a ratcheting wrench on the nut and either a small box end wrench or a pair of vise grip pliers to hold the stem.
- 3 Lift the left front quarter panel with the floor jack and place the jack stand under the front left frame rail.
- 4 Use the ratchet and a socket with a box end wrench to remove the lower shock bolt and nut on the 4-wheel drive model Expedition, or remove the two lower retaining nuts on the 2-wheel drive model Expedition. Remove the shock absorber from inside of the coil spring.
- 5 Place the lower washer and bushing on the new replacement shock stem and then insert it up in through the coil spring. Place the upper bushing, washer and nut onto the stem of the shock and thread the nut on by hand enough to hold the shock absorber.
- 6 Replace the lower shock bolt and nut and tighten on the 4-wheel drive model Expedition, or replace the two lower retaining nuts on the 2-wheel drive model Expedition and tighten.
- 7 Lower the Expedition back to the ground. Tighten the upper shock nut with a ratcheting wrench while holding the stem.
- 8 Repeat Step 2 through Step 7 for the right front shock absorber. Remove the wheel chock, release the parking brake and test drive.
How to Replace Ford Expedition Rear Shocks
- 1 Park the Expedition on a flat paved surface and apply the parking brake. Place a wheel chock in front of one of the front tires.
- 2 Lift the rear axle (one side at a time) with the floor jack and place a jack stand under the axle away from the shock absorber to allow access to it. Repeat this step for the other side to elevate the entire rear axle.
- 3 Put on the safety glasses and crawl under (on a creeper if your have one and have enough room).
- 4 Remove the left rear upper shock nut, washer and bushings.
- 5 Remove the lower shock bolt and nut. Bring the floor jack over and use it to lift the axle slightly below the shock to help extract the bolt, if necessary.
- 6 Install the shock on the mounting bracket and replace the bushing, washer and nut (new ones equipped with new shock).
- 7 Replace the lower bolt and nut and tighten. Tighten the upper nut.
- 8 Repeat Step 4 through Step 7 for the right side shock absorber. Lower the Expedition, remove the wheel chock, release the parking brake and test drive.
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