🔧 Focus - Front Strut Replacement

On your Focus, the “struts” are the front suspension units that support the spring and control bouncing. Replacing worn struts restores ride control, braking stability, and tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (both sides)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ The coil spring is under high tension—use a coil spring compressor (specialty) if you are reusing the spring.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands on solid ground; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of pinch points at the knuckle/strut area.
• 🧰 If you remove the strut from the knuckle, your Focus will need a professional alignment afterward.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20-200 Nm range)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-60 Nm range)
• Socket set (8mm-24mm, 3/8" and 1/2")
• Wrench set (13mm-21mm)
• Torx bit set (T30-T50)
• Hex key set (5mm-8mm)
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Punch set
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flathead screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)
• Strut spreader tool (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front struts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount & bearing kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front bump stops & dust boots - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2 sets
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🛞 Break the front lug nuts loose 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket before lifting.
• 📝 Tip: Soak fasteners with penetrating oil 10 minutes.
• 🔧 Decide your approach:
  • Quick-strut (complete assembly): safest and fastest (no spring compressor).
  • Reuse spring: requires coil spring compressor (specialty).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the center jack point.
• Place jack stands under the front pinch weld lift points and lower the car onto them.
• Remove both front wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Disconnect brackets and the stabilizer link

• Remove the brake hose/ABS wire bracket(s) from the strut using the appropriate 10mm socket or Torx bit (varies by hardware style).
• Remove the stabilizer (sway bar) end link nut at the strut using a 15mm wrench.
• If the stud spins, hold it with a Torx bit or hex key in the end of the stud while turning the nut. (This is a “counter-hold” to keep the ball stud from rotating.)

Step 3: Mark the strut-to-knuckle position

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and the steering knuckle.
• Tip: This helps alignment stay closer.

Step 4: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Support the lower control arm/knuckle lightly with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop suddenly.
• Remove the two strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 18mm socket and 18mm wrench (some hardware may use 21mm—match what’s on your car).
• Use a punch and hammer to tap the bolts out if stuck.
• Install a strut spreader tool (specialty) into the knuckle pinch area and rotate it slightly to open the clamp.
• Use a pry bar to help slide the knuckle down off the strut body while controlling the knuckle with the jack.

Step 5: Remove the strut assembly from the car

• Open the hood.
• At the strut tower, remove the strut mount nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Hold the strut from below and guide it out of the wheel well.

Step 6: If reusing the spring, transfer parts to the new strut

• Install the coil spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and tighten evenly until the spring is loose in the mount.
• Remove the top center strut rod nut using a socket while counter-holding the rod with a hex key if needed.
• Move over the spring, upper mount/bearing, dust boot, and bump stop to the new strut.
• Install the new top nut and tighten to Torque to 62 Nm (46 ft-lbs).
• Slowly release the spring compressor, alternating sides so the spring seats correctly.

Step 7: Install the strut back into the car

• Position the strut in the tower and hand-start the mount nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Do not fully tighten yet; leave it slightly loose so the lower end can line up.

Step 8: Reconnect the knuckle to the strut

• Use the floor jack under the knuckle/control arm to raise the knuckle to the strut.
• Slide the knuckle fully onto the strut (align to your paint marks).
• Install new strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts using a 18mm socket and 18mm wrench.
• Tighten to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs) + 90°.

Step 9: Reinstall the stabilizer link and brackets

• Install the stabilizer end link nut using a 15mm wrench and counter-hold with the Torx bit or hex key if required.
• Tighten to Torque to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket or Torx bit.
• Tighten small bracket fasteners to Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).

Step 10: Tighten the top mount nuts

• Under the hood, tighten the strut mount nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Tighten to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Reinstall wheels using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• 🔎 Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and make sure brake hoses/ABS wires are not stretched or rubbing.
• 🛣️ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks over small bumps.
• 📐 Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible (recommended immediately).
• 🧾 Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $800-$1,400 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $250-$700 (parts only, depends on quick-struts vs parts transfer)

You Save: $550-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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