Has anyone replaced their rear shocks/struts(which are they?) on their Expy yet? Was it hard?

 

Berry,

The Expedition has shocks in the rear. I've changed out the shocks on a '08 Expedition about 6 months ago and the process wasn't too intensive. It's essentially a standard shock replacement job. For your reference, here's the procedure that I followed:

1) With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

2) If equipped, disconnect the air suspension height sensor connecting link from the lower arm.

3) Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt and flagnut. (see Expy shock diagram)

4) Remove and discard the lower arm-to-frame bolt and flagnut.

5) Remove and discard the lower ball joint nut.
Caution: Do not damage the ball joint boot while installing the special tool.

6) Using the special tool 204-592, separate the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

7) Swing the lower arm to the rear of the vehicle and remove the lower arm

8) Remove and discard the upper mount nuts.

9) Remove the shock absorber and spring assembly.

10) To install, reverse the removal procedure and note the following:

Tighten the new upper mount nuts to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).

Tighten the shock absorber lower bolt to 350 ft. lbs. (475 Nm).

Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 111 ft. lbs. (150 Nm).

Tighten the lower arm-to-frame bolt to 221 ft. lbs. (300 Nm).


I think that just about covers it all. Remember to not tighten the lower arm-to-frame bolt or shock absorber lower nut until the installation procedure is complete and the weight of the vehicle is resting on the wheel and tire assemblies

 

Thanks for the feedback. This is a bit more than I am comfortable with. I have changed the standard shocks-not coil over-many times-two bolts-but this one might be too much for me. Thanks again for the info.

 

Great info Jimmy!

Do you work for Ford or a dealership?

 

it isn't hard, just tedious. I'm too cheap to pay anybody to do it for me.

Give it a try Berry. You're probably looking at $200 in labor alone

 

Yikes. I have all the tools except the ball joint tool.

Don't I need a spring compressor as well?

 

I've got an '11 EL Limited and I have struts in the rear. Both Ford ESP and the tech at the local dealership argued with me up and down that they were shocks, but once it was up on the lift the tech called me and said: "OK, you have struts in the rear."

 

Replace your LLS with steel springs!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1444256-adventures-with-the-arnott-air-spring-conversion-kit.html