Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
FORD Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) 1.4, FORD Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) 1.6, FORD Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) 1.6 Ti … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front shock absorber on FORD FOCUS 2 (DA) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) and other FORD models

Shock absorber

Suspension Strut

        Shock absorber for FORD Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) 1.4 Petrol (80 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for FORD Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) 1.6 Petrol (100 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for FORD Focus II Saloon (DB_, FCH, DH) 1.6 Ti Petrol (115 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Tools you might need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 15 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Torx bit T40
                      
                        Torx bit T30
                      
                        HEX bit No.H6.
                      
                        Shock absorber socket
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #19
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Flat chisel
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. AUTODOC experts recommend:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Remove the windscreen wiper arm nut covers.
Step 4

Unscrew the fasteners of the windscreen wiper arms. Use a drive socket #15. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Clean the pivots of the windscreen wiper arms. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 6

Remove the wiper arms.
Step 7

Remove the clips of the plastic cowl grille. Use a crowbar.
Step 8

Raise the wiper plastic cowl grille.
Step 9

Unscrew the fastener of the lower wiper plastic cowl grille. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Remove the lower wiper plastic cowl grille.
Step 11

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 13

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 14

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 15

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 16

Remove the wheel.
Step 17

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 18

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a drive socket #15. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a tap wrench.
Step 21

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 22

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a hammer. Use a flat metal-working chisel.
Step 23

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 24

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Ford Focus MK2
Step 25

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Tip:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 26

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 27

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 28

Compress the spring.
Step 29

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use Torx T40. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 30

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 31

Release the coil spring.
Step 32

Remove the spring.
Step 33

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Professionals recommend:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 34

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 35

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 36

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 37

Compress the spring.
Step 38

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 39

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 40

Decompress the spring.
Step 41

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 42

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 43

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 44

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut (3 pieces). Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Ford Focus MK2 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 45

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.
Step 46

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 47

Install and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.
Step 48

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 49

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut. Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 50

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #15. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 48 Nm torque.
Step 51

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 52

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 53

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 54

Tighten the shock strut top mount (3 pieces). Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 30 Nm torque.
Step 55

Clean the mounting seat of the cowl grille. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 56

Install and secure the cowl grille. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 57

Install the fasteners of the wiper plastic cowl grille.
Step 58

Reinstall the wiper arms.
Step 59

Tighten the fasteners of the wiper arms. Use a drive socket #15. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 10 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Ford Focus MK2. Tip from AUTODOC:
Make sure not to mix up the wiper arms on the driver's and passenger's sides.
Step 60

Install the nut covers of the windscreen wiper arms.

Step 61

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 62

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 63

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 64

Close the hood.

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