Lincoln Aviator: Front Suspension - AWD / Removal and Installation - Lower Arm Bracket

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect the performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTICE: The front suspension height sensor must be disconnected from the lower control arm prior to servicing suspension components or damage to the suspension height sensor and/or the vehicle dynamic suspension system may occur. The sensor will need to be recalibrated after reassembly.

   NOTE: If equipped with dynamic suspension.

   1. Disconnect the ride height sensor electrical connector.
      
   2. Remove the ball stud from the lower control arm and position the front height sensor arm aside.
      

1. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the stabilizer bar link nuts. Damage to the stabilizer bar link ball joints and boots may occur.

   NOTE: The stabilizer bar links are designed with low friction ball joints that have a low breakaway torque.

   NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

   Remove and discard the upper stabilizer bar link nut and position aside the stabilizer bar link.
   

1. Remove and discard the lower arm mounting bracket pinch bolt.
   

1. NOTICE: Use a prying device, flat headed screw driver or separator fork to separate the lower arm bracket from the shock absorber and spring assembly. Do not open the joint more than approximately 2mm. Damage to lower arm bracket may occur.

   Spread the opening to loosen the lower arm mounting bracket from the shock absorber and spring assembly.
   Use the General Equipment: Flat Headed Screw Driver

1. Separate the front shock absorber and air spring assembly from the lower arm mounting bracket.
   

1. NOTICE: Never allow the knuckle to hang from the upper and lower control arms or damage to the ball joints can occur.

   NOTE: Take care not to damage coating on suspension components.

   Support the wheel knuckle assembly using mechanic's wire.
   

1. NOTICE: Tighten the suspension fasteners with the weight of the vehicle on the wheels and tires or use a suitable jack to raise the suspension to curb height or damage to the bushings may occur.

   NOTE: Only tighten the nuts and bolts when the suspension is in the normal drive position.

   Remove and discard the lower arm mounting bracket bolt and nut, remove the lower arm mounting bracket.
   

Installation

NOTICE: Tighten the suspension fasteners with the weight of the vehicle on the wheels and tires or use a suitable jack to raise the suspension to curb height or damage to the bushings may occur.

1. NOTE: Make sure that the mating faces are clean and free of foreign material.

   Clean the lower arm mounting bracket bore and clean the threads of debris. If necessary, locate the prying tool as shown in graphic. Do not open the joint more than approximately 2mm.
   

1. NOTE: Only tighten the nuts and bolts finger tight at this stage.

   Position the lower arm mounting bracket and install the new lower arm mounting bracket retainers.
   

1. NOTICE: Care must be taken not to damage the shock absorber and spring assembly sharkfin bracket.

   NOTE: Locate the praying tool below the sharkfin bracket. The prying tool should only be contacting the lower arm mounting bracket.

   Insert the front shock absorber and spring assembly into the lower arm mounting bracket.
   

1. NOTICE: Use care when inserting the shock absorber and spring assembly into the lower arm bracket bore or damage to the sharkfin bracket may occur.

   NOTE: Make sure that shock absorber and spring assembly is fully seated in the lower arm bracket bore.

   Pry open the lower portion of the lower arm mounting bracket to allow the shock absorber and spring assembly to fully seat in the bracket bore.
   

1. Install the new lower arm mounting bracket pinch bolt.
   Torque: 59 lb.ft (80 Nm)

1. Use a suitable jack to raise the suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to the measurement taken during removal (curb height).
   Use the General Equipment: Vehicle/Axle Stands

1. NOTICE: Tighten the suspension fasteners with the weight of the vehicle on the wheels and tires or use a suitable jack to raise the suspension to curb height or damage to the bushings may occur.

   NOTE: Only tighten the nuts and bolts when the suspension is in the normal drive position.

   Tighten the lower arm bracket bolt and nut.
   Torque: 210 lb.ft (285 Nm)

1. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the stabilizer bar link nuts. Damage to the stabilizer bar link ball joints and boots may occur.

   NOTE: The stabilizer bar links are designed with low friction ball joints that have a low breakaway torque.

   NOTE: Use the TORX PLUS® holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nut. Torx® and TORX PLUS® is a reg. tm of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC.

   Position the stabilizer bar link and install the new front stabilizer bar link upper nut..
   Torque: 129 lb.ft (175 Nm)

1. NOTICE: The front suspension height sensor must be disconnected from the lower control arm prior to servicing suspension components or damage to the suspension height sensor and/or the vehicle dynamic suspension system may occur. The sensor will need to be recalibrated after reassembly.

   NOTE: If equipped with dynamic suspension.

   1. Connect the ball stud to the lower control arm and tighten the front height sensor arm bolt.
      Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)
   2. Connect the ride height sensor electrical connector.
      

1. Install the wheel and tire.
   Refer to: Wheel and Tire (204-04A Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Check and if necessary adjust front toe.
   Refer to: Front Toe Adjustment (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures).
   Refer to: Front Toe Adjustment - Vehicles With: Adaptive Steering (204-00 Suspension System - General Information, General Procedures).
   

1. NOTE: If equipped with dynamic suspension.

   Calibrate the suspension system. Connect the scan tool and carry out the Ride Height Calibration routine. Follow the scan tool directions.