Ford 2L1Z-18125-AB Shock Absorber Assembly

You can Select Your Vehicle to check if 2L1Z-18125-AB fits your vehicle.

The steering linkage and suspension components should be checked periodically. Worn or damaged suspension and steering linkage components can result in excessive and abnormal tire wear, poor ride quality and vehicle handling and reduced fuel economy. To check the shock absorber, park the vehicle on level ground, turn the engine off and set the parking brake. Check the tire pressures. Push down at one corner of the vehicle, then release it while noting the movement of the body. It should stop moving and come to rest in a level position within one or two bounces. If the vehicle continues to move up-and-down or if it fails to return to its original position, a worn or weak shock absorber is probably the reason. Repeat the above check at each of the three remaining corners of the vehicle. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Check the shock absorbers for evidence of fluid leakage. A light film of fluid is no cause for concern. Make sure that any fluid noted is from the shocks and not from some other source. If leakage is noted, replace the shocks as a set. Check the shocks to be sure that they are securely mounted and undamaged. Check the upper mounts for damage and wear. If damage or wear is noted, replace the shocks as a set (front or rear). Visually inspect the steering and suspension components for damage and distortion. Look for damaged seals, boots and bushings and leaks of any kind. Clean the lower end of the steering knuckle. Have an assistant grasp the lower edge of the tire and move the wheel in-and-out while you look for movement at the steering knuckle-to-control arm balljoint. If there is any movement the suspension balljoint(s) must be replaced. Grasp each front tire at the front and rear edges, push in at the front, pull out at the rear and feel for play in the steering system components If any free play is noted, check the idler arm and the tie-rod ends for looseness.

If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, turn off the air suspension system. Loosen the wheel lug nuts, then raise and support the rear of the vehicle. Remove the rear wheels. To remove the brake drum, spray penetration oil around the flange and studs if it's stuck due to corrosion, or remove the plug in the access hole and back off the adjuster wheel if it's locked onto the shoes due to excessive wear. Clean the brake assembly before disassembling it, then remove various components such as the secondary brake shoe retracting spring, primary shoe retracing spring, brake shoe adjusting lever, cable, guide plate, and parking brake link and spring. For shock/spring assembly replacement, position a jack under the steering knuckle, remove the nuts securing the top of the assembly, and lower the jack. Remove the lower control arm-to-spring bolt and nut, then remove the assembly. If replacing only the shock, compress the spring and remove the shock rod nut. For lower control arm replacement, disconnect the lower link nut from the Sway Bar Kit, remove the nut and bolt securing the shock/spring assembly, and remove the front and rear bushing nuts and bolts. For upper control arm replacement, remove the parking brake cable bracket bolt, upper arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt, and upper arm bushing nuts and bolts. For toe link rod removal, remove the inner end nut and knuckle nut, and remove the rod. For trailing arms removal on later models, remove the nuts and bolts securing the arms to the knuckle and frame, then install new bolts and nuts loosely. To remove the Sway Bar Kit, disconnect the end links, remove the rear suspension stone shields, and remove the Sway Bar Kit bracket-to-frame bolts. Install new nuts on the links and bracket bolts.

Install the shock absorber in the reverse order of removal.

Additional steps include loosening the front wheel lug nuts, raising the vehicle, removing the wheels, detaching various components like the tie-rod end, upper ball joint, and fasteners attaching the lower end of the shock absorber to the lower control arm. Finally, remove the shock absorber/coil spring assembly for inspection and replacement as needed. Installation follows the reverse of the removal process, ensuring proper tightening of fasteners and lug nuts.