Ford Fusion: Rear Suspension / Lower Arm. Removal and Installation

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

1. Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTICE: The rear suspension height sensor must be disconnected from the lower control arm prior to servicing suspension components or damage to the suspension height sensor and/or the vehicle dynamic suspension system may occur. The sensor will need to be recalibrated after reassembly.

   Remove the rear height sensor arm bracket bolt and position the rear height sensor arm bracket aside.
   

1. Unclip the 2 rear height sensor wire harness retaining clips.
   

1. NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

   Raise the suspension approximately 20mm from rebound condition.
   Use the General Equipment: Vehicle/Axle Stands

1. Remove and discard the rear shock absorber lower bolts.
   

1. 1. Remove the lower arm vertical link-to-lower arm bolt.
      
   2. Remove the toe link-to-wheel knuckle bolt and flagnut.
      

1. NOTE: Make sure that the knuckle is supported with suitable retainingstraps.

   
   
   1. Remove and discard the rear stabilizer bar link lower nut and position the rear stabilizer bar link aside.
      
   2. Remove and discard lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt and separate the wheel knuckle from the lower arm.
      

1. Remove the forward lower arm-to-subframe bolt.
   

1. NOTICE: Take extra care when handling a compressed spring.Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.

   NOTE: Do not allow the rear spring to fall.

   1. Lower the suspension to release the spring compression.
      
   2. Remove the spring by lowering the lower arm and position aside.
      
   3. Remove and discard the lower arm-to-frame rearward bolt and remove the lower arm
      Use the General Equipment: Vehicle/Axle Stands

Installation

1. NOTE: Hold spring in place while installing lower arm.

   1. NOTE: Before tightening the lower arm bolt, use a jackstand to raise the rear suspension to ride height

      Position the jackstand under the lower arm and raise the lower arm into position.
      Use the General Equipment: Vehicle/Axle Stands

   2. NOTE: Make sure the upper spring seat is properly positioned on the upper spring mount.

      Install the spring into the upper and lower spring seat.
      

   3. NOTE: Only tighten the bolt finger tight at this stage.

      Install the new lower arm-to-frame rearward bolt.
      

1. NOTE: Only tighten the bolt finger tight at this stage.

   Install the new lower arm-to-frame rearward bolt.
   

1. NOTE: Only tighten the bolt and nut finger tight at this stage.

   1. Position the wheel knuckle to the lower arm and install the new lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
      
   2. Position the rear stabilizer bar link and install the new rear stabilizer bar link lower nut.
      

1. NOTE: Only tighten the bolts finger tight at this stage.

   1. Install the new toe link-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
      
   2. Install the new lower arm vertical link lower bolt.
      

1. Support the rear suspension to ride height.
   Use the General Equipment: Vehicle/Axle Stands

1. NOTICE: Tighten the suspension bushing fasteners with the suspension loaded or with the weight of the vehicle resting on the wheels and tires, otherwise incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.

   Tighten the new lower arm-to-frame rearward bolt.
   Torque: 166 lb.ft (225 Nm)

1. NOTICE: Tighten the suspension bushing fasteners with the suspension loaded or with the weight of the vehicle resting on the wheels and tires, otherwise incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.

   Tighten the new lower arm-to-frame forward bolt.
   Torque: 166 lb.ft (225 Nm)

1. NOTICE: Tighten the suspension bushing fasteners with the suspension loaded or with the weight of the vehicle resting on the wheels and tires, otherwise incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.

   1. Tighten the new lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
      Torque: 203 lb.ft (275 Nm)
   2. Tighten the new rear stabilizer bar link lower nut.
      Torque: 85 lb.ft (115 Nm)

1. NOTICE: Tighten the suspension bushing fasteners with the suspension loaded or with the weight of the vehicle resting on the wheels and tires, otherwise incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.

   1. Tighten the new toe link-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
      Torque: 129 lb.ft (175 Nm)
   2. Tighten the new lower arm vertical link lower bolt.
      Torque: 76 lb.ft (103 Nm)

1. Install the new rear shock absorber lower bolts.
   Torque: 35 lb.ft (48 Nm)

1. Clip the 2 rear height sensor wire harness retaining clips.
   

1. Position the rear height sensor arm bracket and install the rear height sensor arm bracket bolt.
   Torque: 177 lb.in (20 Nm)

1. Install the wheel and tire.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Check and if necessary adjust rear camber.
   Refer to: Rear Camber Adjustment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. Calibrate the suspension system. Connect the scan tool and carry out the Ride Height Calibration routine. Follow the scan tool directions.