4WD front strut R&R question (now answered, Thanks!)

[Buyer2021]

Just wondering if anyone has removed and replaced the front strut assembly on a Gen 14 4WD non-Tremor/Raptor by only breaking the upper ball-joint, tie-rod end, and stabilizer link connections (without completely removing the wheel knuckle as suggested by the Ford Workshop Manual Procedure).

Yep, looking for any reasonable 'shortcuts' for when my Bilstein 4600's arrive - looks like there might be clearance without completely pulling the wheel knuckle which adds a lot of work to the procedure?

There's no lift involved in my project - just a different shock within the stock- length strut assembly.

Thanks in advance.

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[tbinmd]

Ford shocks have the bottom bolts pressed in to the mount, you might have to cut them off for clearance.

 

[Buyer2021]

Ford shocks have the bottom bolts pressed in to the mount, you might have to cut them off for clearance.

Thanks for that heads-up!

 

[Hog_Johnson]

Like this?

 

[Blue22]

I swapped out the OEM struts with Bilstein 5100s and kept the factory coil springs. I was able to just use a pry bar on the lower control arm and pry it down far enough so that the bolts on the bottom of the OEM strut cleared the mounting holes. It saved me from having to remove the knuckle.

 

[Buyer2021]

Thanks everyone, question asked and answered!

 

[hotrodmex]

I'll add I did the same, but apparently I was the only one who felt like I needed to remove the axle nut to slide it out a bit for clearance. Had to go buy the 36 mm socket for it, too.

 

[Blue22]

I'll add I did the same, but apparently I was the only one who felt like I needed to remove the axle nut to slide it out a bit for clearance. Had to go buy the 36 mm socket for it, too.

Yeah I was planning on doing that too but didn't have the right size socket.

 

[Buyer2021]

I'll add I did the same, but apparently I was the only one who felt like I needed to remove the axle nut to slide it out a bit for clearance. Had to go buy the 36 mm socket for it, too.

Gotchya, and I've got the 36mm socket if needed

 

[hotrodmex]

Yeah I was planning on doing that too but didn't have the right size socket.

I had just popped the axle from the inner cv tulip on my Avalon when I was taking coilovers off in prep to sell. doubled the work and mess to put back. If it wasn't for that nagging my brain (knowing one is 247K car and other was 3K truck), I'd have probably just sent it. Or if AutoZone didn't have the socket in stock.

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