How to Replace the Struts on a 1994 Ford Escort
The 1994 Ford Escort uses struts on the front of the vehicle, instead of traditional shock absorbers. Struts differ from shock absorbers in that the spring is around the strut, not beside it, like you would see on a shock absorber setup. Because of this, most people opt to have their struts changed, instead of doing it on their own. However, with a spring compressing tool, the job is no harder than changing the shock absorber on a different car.
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Instructions
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1
Open the engine hood, and prop the hood, using the hood prop.
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2
Loosen the lug nuts on the tire you want to remove, using the tire iron, supplied with your Escort.
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3
Place a jack under the frame, behind the front tire you want to change. Jack the corner of the Escort, until you can fit a jack stand under the frame. Lower the Escort onto the jack stand.
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4
Remove the lug nuts with the tire iron, and pull the wheel off the wheel studs.
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5
Remove the nut that secures the top of the strut to the strut tower, using a socket. You can locate the strut tower directly above the wheel well, inside the engine bay.
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6
Remove the through-bolt, which secures the lower strut to the strut brace on the lower suspension, using a socket and ratchet.
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7
Pull the strut, complete with the spring, out of the vehicle.
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8
Place one spring compression tool onto the left side of the spring, and place one on the right side of the spring. Place a socket and ratchet onto the actuator on one of the compressing tools, and turn the ratchet, clockwise, to compress the spring. Alternate sides, keeping even tension on both sides of the spring, until there is a gap between the spring and the spring cap, located on top of the strut. You can rent spring-compressing tools at most automotive supply stores.
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9
Remove the nut that secures the spring cap onto the strut, using a socket and ratchet.
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10
Lift the spring off the strut, and place the spring onto the new strut.
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Place the spring cap onto the new strut ,and secure it, using the nut, socket and ratchet.
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12
Release pressure on the spring. Again, alternate between the two compressing tools, as you turn the ratchet, counterclockwise.
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13
Slide the top of the strut into the strut tower, and slide the bottom of the strut into the strut brace on the lower suspension.
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Slide the through-bolt through the strut brace and strut. Secure it, using the bolt, socket and ratchet.
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15
Thread the nut onto the top of the strut, using the socket and ratchet.
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16
Place the wheel back onto the wheel studs, thread the lug nuts onto the studs with your finger, and tighten each stud a quarter turn with the tire iron.
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17
Jack the Escort, until you can remove the jack stand, and lower the vehicle to the ground.
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18
Tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron.
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19
Repeat these steps with the strut on the other side of the Escort.
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