1991 1999 ford explorer chilton User Manual

Use the torsion bar tool to relieve the tension from the bar
Use Torsion Bar Tool T95T-520-A, or equivalent, to raise the adjuster lever.
4. 
Remove the support nut then lower the adjuster lever completely.
5. 
Slide the torsion bar forward, into the lower control arm, to allow the adjuster lever to be removed.
6. 
Lower the torsion bar and pull it from the lower control arm.
7. 
Ensure that you do not mix up the right and left-hand torsion bars. They must be installed to the side
they were originally...

Bounce the vehicles front and rear suspensions several times to normalize the vehicle static ride
height.
3. 
Measure the distance between the center of the lower control arm bushing bolt and the ground.
Record the measurement as dimension A.
4. 
Measure the distance between the lowest point of the steering knuckle (but not the ball joint) and the
ground. Record the measurement as dimension B.
5. 
Subtract dimension B from dimension A for ride height.
6. 
For vehicles without ARC suspension, ride height...

Shock absorber and related parts
Click to enlarge
Raise the vehicle, as required to provide additional access and remove the nut attaching the shock
absorber to the lower mounting stud on the radius arm.
1. 
Slide the lower shock absorber end off of the stud.
2. 
Remove the nut, washer and insulator from the upper shock absorber mount at the frame bracket and
remove the shock absorber.
3. 
A second wrench may be needed to hold the shock absorber from turning while removing the upper
attaching nut. HOW TO...

To remove the front shock absorber, remove the lower radius arm shock retaining nut ...
... then pull the lower shock mount from the stud
Next, unbolt the upper shock mount using a second wrench on the mount stud to keep it from spinning ...
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 899 

... then pull the shock assembly from the upper spring mount
To install:
Position the washer and insulator on the shock absorber rod and position the shock absorber to the
upper frame bracket mount.
4. 
Position the insulator and washer on the shock absorber rod and install the attaching nut loosely.
5. 
Position the shock absorber to the lower mounting stud and install the attaching nut loosely.
6. 
Tighten the lower shock attaching bolts to 39-53 ft. lbs. (53-72 Nm), and the upper shock attaching
bolts...

Exploded view of the Mountaineer, 1995-99 Explorer and 1998-99 Ranger front shock
absorber
Click to enlarge
Raise the front of the vehicle and place jackstands under the lower control arms. Ensure that the lower
shock attaching nuts do not become obstructed by the jackstands.
1. 
Remove the upper shock-to-frame attaching nut, washer and insulator assembly.
2. 
Remove the two lower shock-to-control arm attaching nuts.
3. 
Slightly compress the shock absorber by hand and remove it from the vehicle.
4. 
To...

loosely.
Position the lower shock absorber mounting studs into the control arm and install the attaching nuts
loosely.
7. 
Tighten the lower shock attaching nuts to 15-21 ft. lbs. (21-29 Nm), and the upper shock attaching
bolts to 30-40 ft. lbs. (40-55 Nm).
8. 
WITH AUTOMATIC RIDE CONTROL (ARC)
Exploded view of the ARC suspension shock absorberClick to enlarge
WARNING
Always turn off the Automatic Ride Control (ARC) service switch before lifting the vehicle off of the ground.
Failure to do so could...

Raise the front of the vehicle and place jackstands under the lower control arms. Ensure that the lower
shock attaching nuts do not become obstructed by the jackstands.
2. 
Unplug the vehicle wire harness connector from the shock absorber pig tail plug. Disconnect the pig
tail frame retainers.
3. 
Disconnect the air line from the shock absorber. Push in and hold the plastic ring on the shock. While
holding the ring, pull the air line out firmly.
4. 
If removing the left front shock, disconnect the front...

Checking the ball joints
Click to enlarge
Check and adjust the front wheel bearings. Raise and support the vehicle.
1. 
Have a helper grasp the lower edge of the tire and move the wheel assembly in and out.
2. 
While the wheel is being moved, observe the lower spindle arm and the lower part of the axle jaw.
3. 
A 1
/32  in. (0.8mm) or greater movement between the lower part of the axle jaw and the lower spindle
arm indicates that the lower ball joint must be replaced
4. 
To check the upper ball joints,...

If the ball joint cannot be installed to the proper depth, realignment of the receiver cup and ball joint
installer will be necessary.
Repeat the previous steps for the upper ball joint.
9. 
Install the steering knuckle.
10. 
Mountaineer, 1995-99 Explorer and 1998-99 Ranger
The ball joints on the Mountaineer, 1995-99 Explorer and 1998-99 Ranger are integral with the control arms.
If the ball joint is defective, the entire control arm must be replaced. Refer to the appropriate control arm
removal &...