Mercury F43Z-18125-A Shock Absorber Assembly

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Remove the shock absorber/coil spring assembly from the vehicle and inspect for damage or deterioration. Mount the assembly in a vise, using a spring compressor to relieve pressure. Mark the position of the upper mount to the coil spring before disassembly. Remove the damper rod nut and disassemble the unit. Check the damper rod seal and test the damper rod for smoothness and resistance. If faulty, replace the shock absorber.

The upper shock mount cannot rotate when the shock and the spring are assembled. Therefore, it is crucial to mark the position of the upper mount with chalk or paint to ensure proper alignment. If the upper mount is not in the correct position, the studs won't fit into the holes in the shock tower.

Push down on each corner of the vehicle and observe its movement. Any continuous bouncing or failure to return to the original position may indicate worn or weak shock absorbers.

Remove the stabilizer link upper mounting nut and separate the stabilizer link from the spindle.

A new hydraulic shock absorber should be installed after bleeding the air from it.

After reconnecting the strut assembly and steering knuckle, the upper mount to strut assembly retaining nut should be tightened to the specified torque.

The rear shock absorber ARC actuator can be removed from the shock by pinching the retainer tabs and lifting it off.

Remove the jackstands and lower the vehicle. Before driving a vehicle equipped with air suspension, turn on the air suspension switch, start the engine, and allow the compressor to inflate the air suspension springs.

The bushings and grommets should be inspected for cracks, tears, and deterioration.

Locate the upper retaining nut for the shock absorber on top of the frame and remove the nut, washer, and insulator. Compress the shock absorber to clear the hole in the frame and remove the inner insulator and washer. On certain models, open the trunk, remove the side trim panel, and remove the upper mounting nut from the shock absorber rod. Remove the lower retaining nut or bolt and remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.

The strut is separated from the steering knuckle by removing the strut to steering knuckle nuts and bolts.

Locate the upper retaining nut on top of the frame, and if necessary, hold the piston rod with a wrench or locking pliers while loosening the nut. Remove the upper nut, washer, and insulator from the stud on the upper side of the frame.

Park the vehicle on level ground, turn off the engine, and set the parking brake. Push down at each corner of the vehicle and observe if it stops moving and returns to a level position within one or two bounces.

Check the rear drive axle constant velocity (CV) joint boots for damage or leaking grease while the vehicle is raised.

The balljoints may be worn.

If any free play is noted, check the steering gear mounts and the tie-rod ends for looseness. Verify the steering gear mount bolt tightness. If the tie-rods are loose, the ball joints may be worn.

The rear shock absorber ARC actuator can be removed from the shock by pinching the retainer tabs and lifting it off.

Removal starts by removing the shock absorber upper attaching nut, washer, and bushing to detach the upper end of the shock absorber. For upper balljoint replacement on 1992 and later models, it's crucial to mark the location of the alignment marks on the adjustment cams before removing the two retaining nuts.

Remove the shock-to-lower control arm nut and bolt, then separate the shock absorber/coil spring assembly from the spindle.