Ford F23Z-18125-A Shock Absorber Assembly

You can Select Your Vehicle to check if F23Z-18125-A fits your vehicle.

Visually inspect for damage, leaks, and worn seals, boots, and fittings in the steering system components.

You should line the vise jaws with wood or rags to prevent damage to the unit, and avoid tightening the vise excessively.

Check the steering gear mounts and tie-rod ends for looseness.

Clean the lower end of the steering knuckle and have an assistant move the wheel in and out while checking for movement at the steering knuckle-to-control arm balljoint.

Place the upper mount over the new shock absorber/coil spring assembly and install the nut. Guide the assembly into position in the wheel well and install the three nuts.

Remove the shock absorber/coil spring assembly from the vehicle. Check the shock absorber for leaking fluid, dents, cracks or other obvious damage. Check the coil spring for chips or cracks which could cause premature failure and inspect the spring seats for hardness or general deterioration. Complete shock absorber/coil spring assemblies are available on an exchange basis. This eliminates much time and work. So, before disassembling the shock absorber/coil spring assembly to replace individual components, check on the availability of parts and the price of a complete rebuilt unit. Mount the shock absorber/coil spring assembly in arise. Line the vise jaws with wood or rags to prevent damage to the unit and don't tighten the vise excessively. Install a spring compressor in accordance with the tool manufacturer's instructions. Compress the spring far enough to relieve all pressure from the spring seat. The upper shock mount cannot rotate when the shock and the spring are assembled so it is very important to mark the position of the upper mount to the coil spring with chalk or paint before disassembly. If the upper mount is not in the proper position, the studs won't fit into the holes in the shock tower. Place a box-end wrench on the damper rod nut, hold the damper rod with a wrench and remove the nut. Disassemble the shock absorber/coil spring assembly. Carefully lift the compressed spring from the assembly and set it in a safe place, such as a steel cabinet. Inspect the damper rod seal for leakage. Extend and retract the damper rod slowly, then quickly, through its full stroke. It should be smooth, quiet and offer resistance. If it's jerky, noisy or offers little or no resistance, replace the shock absorber. It's a sealed unit and can't be rebuilt. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly. Be sure to use a new damper rod nut Tighten the damper rod nut to the torque. The mounting studs must be in a position that is slightly offset to the lower shock mounting bolt. Install the shock absorber/coil spring assembly.

The upper mounting rubber insulator and the dished washer should be installed on the shock rod.

Periodic checks of the steering linkage and suspension components are essential to prevent excessive tire wear, poor ride quality, handling issues, and reduced fuel economy. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground with the engine off and parking brake engaged. Conduct a shock absorber check by pushing down on each corner of the vehicle and observing its movement; any continuous bouncing or failure to return to the original position may indicate worn or weak shock absorbers. Inspect all four corners and, if necessary, raise the vehicle to check for fluid leakage from the shock absorbers. Replace them as a set if leakage is evident. Additionally, inspect the steering system components visually for damage, leaks, and worn seals, boots, and fittings. Check the steering knuckle-to-control arm joint for movement and the front tires for play in the steering system components. If play is noted, check and tighten the steering gear mounts and inspect tie-rod ball joints. Check the rear drive axle constant velocity (CV) joint boots for damage or leaking grease while the vehicle is raised.

The bushings and grommets should be installed in the order they were removed.

Visually inspect the steering system components for damage and distortion. Look for leaks and damaged seals, boots, and fittings.

The side trim panel needs to be removed from the rear compartment.

On models with air suspension, turn off the air suspension switch and disconnect the height sensor connector link before allowing the rear suspension to hang past its normal point of full rebound. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. If the vehicle is a pre-1992 model with automatic leveling rear suspension and coil springs, allow the rear axle to hang free until the shock absorbers are finished venting through the compressor. Support the rear axle with a floor jack to prevent it from dropping when the shock absorber is disconnected. If removing an air-assisted shock absorber, detach the air line.

Allow the rear axle to hang freely until the shock absorbers finish venting through the compressor. Support the rear axle with a floor jack to prevent it from dropping when the shock absorbers are disconnected.

If the threads in the lower control arm are stripped or damaged, locknuts should be installed on the self-tapping bolts.

The floor jack can be removed from under the control arm.

The initial steps are to loosen the front wheel lug nuts and raise the vehicle, supporting it securely on jackstands. Then, remove the wheel and the disc brake caliper, hanging it out of the way with wire.

Before installing a new hydraulic shock absorber, expel all air by extending and compressing it multiple times. Place the inner washer and rubber insulator on the shock piston rod and insert the rod through the upper mounting hole in the frame. Install the outer insulator, washer, and a new stud retaining nut on the upper side of the frame. On specific models, install the inner washer and rubber insulator on the shock rod and insert the rod through the upper mounting hole. Push up on the shock absorber to align the lower shock eye in the mounting bracket and install the bolt and nut. Then install the upper mounting rubber insulator and the dished washer on the shock rod and tighten the nut. Extend the shock absorber, insert the lower shock stud through the hole in the bracket on the axle tube, and install a new self-locking retaining nut. Attach the air line(s), if equipped.

To remove the front wheel, start by loosening the lug nuts and raising the vehicle with jack stands. Remove the wheel and place a floor jack under the lower control arm. If the vehicle is equipped with Automatic Ride Control (ARC), remove the actuator. Loosen the three upper mount-to-shock tower retaining nuts, but do not remove them completely. Remove the shock-to-lower control arm nut and bolt, then separate the shock absorber/coil spring assembly from the spindle. Remove the stabilizer link upper mounting nut and separate the stabilizer link from the spindle. Use the floor jack to raise the lower control arm and disconnect the upper control arm from the spindle. Lower the floor jack and remove the shock absorber/coil spring assembly from the vehicle. To install, place the upper mount over the new shock absorber/coil spring assembly and install the nut. Guide the assembly into position in the wheel well and install the three nuts. Insert the spindle into the upper control arm and install the nut and bolt. Attach the shock absorber/coil spring assembly to the lower control arm and install the stabilizer link to the spindle. Tighten all nuts securely. If applicable, attach the actuator to the mounting bracket. Remove the jack from under the lower control arm and install the disc brake caliper. Finally, install the wheel, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts.

During installation, ensure all air is expelled from a new shock absorber (for 2002 and earlier models), install all bushings and grommets in the order of removal, and use 5116-18 locknuts on the self-tapping bolts if the threads in the lower control arm are stripped or damaged. Tighten all fasteners to the specified torque, with locknuts torqued to the same specification as the bolts.