🔧 Escape - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies on your Escape. The front struts support the vehicle, control bouncing, and help keep the tires firmly on the road.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Never work under or beside a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs. This keeps braking and handling even from side to side.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen the large center nut on the strut shaft. The coil spring is under heavy pressure.
• ⚠️ For a beginner, use loaded strut assemblies. A loaded strut already has the spring and mount installed.
• ⚠️ Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS wire.
• ⚠️ 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• 21mm wrench
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Bungee cord
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assemblies - Left and Right - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts - Qty: 4
• Front strut-to-knuckle nuts - Qty: 4
• Front stabilizer bar link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mount nuts - Qty: 6

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Escape on a flat surface, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• 🧱 Put wheel chocks behind both rear wheels.
• 🔩 Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the vehicle. The tire touching the ground keeps the wheel from spinning.
• 🧭 Schedule a front wheel alignment after the repair. Strut position affects alignment.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness. This helps prevent loose or broken parts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front wheel lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Crack them loose before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of your Escape at the front subframe lift area.
• Place jack stands under solid front support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push by hand to make sure it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the front lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat nearby.

Step 4: Mark the Strut Position

• Use the paint marker to draw a line across the lower strut bracket and steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the large metal part that holds the wheel hub.
• This mark helps you install the new strut close to the old position until alignment is done.

Step 5: Free the Brake Hose and ABS Wire

• Use the 10mm socket or 13mm socket to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use the trim clip removal tool or flathead screwdriver to gently release the ABS wire clip from the strut.
• An ABS wire carries wheel-speed information to the anti-lock brake system.
• Use the bungee cord to support the hose and wire so they do not stretch.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Spray the stabilizer bar link nut with penetrating oil.
• Use the 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to remove the stabilizer bar link nut from the strut.
• The stabilizer bar link is a small rod that helps reduce body lean in turns.
• If the stud spins, hold it steady with the 18mm wrench while turning the nut with the 18mm socket.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack under the lower control arm or steering knuckle area for light support.
• Do not lift the vehicle here. Just support the suspension so it does not drop suddenly.

Step 8: Remove the Lower Strut Bolts

• Spray the two lower strut-to-knuckle bolts with penetrating oil.
• Use the 21mm socket, 21mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the two lower nuts and bolts.
• Use the rubber mallet to tap stuck bolts out gently.
• Use the pry bar carefully if the knuckle is stuck in the strut bracket.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Use the trim clip removal tool if a small cowl trim clip blocks access.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Hold the strut with one hand while removing the last nut.
• Do not touch the center strut shaft nut.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut

• Guide the old strut down and out through the wheel well by hand.
• Use the pry bar only if you need a small amount of extra space.
• Compare the old and new loaded struts to make sure the bracket locations match.

Step 11: Install the New Loaded Strut

• Guide the new loaded strut up into the strut tower by hand.
• Start the three new upper strut mount nuts by hand.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the nuts only.

Step 12: Attach the Strut to the Knuckle

• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the steering knuckle slightly until the bolt holes line up.
• Install the new lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts by hand.
• Use the 21mm socket, 21mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lower fasteners.
• Torque to 184 Nm (136 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Torque the Upper Mount Nuts

• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Reconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Insert the stabilizer bar link stud into the new strut bracket.
• Install the new nut by hand.
• Use the 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten it.
• Torque to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Reattach the Brake Hose and ABS Wire

• Use the 10mm socket or 13mm socket to reinstall the brake hose bracket bolt.
• Torque to 12 Nm (106 in-lbs).
• Use your fingers or the trim clip removal tool to snap the ABS wire clip back into place.
• Make sure the hose and wire are not twisted or touching the tire.

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the opposite front strut.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Take photos before removing parts.

Step 17: Reinstall the Wheels

• Put both front wheels back on by hand.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening opposite lug nuts so the wheel seats evenly.

Step 18: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape fully to the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing or popping.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive first. Avoid hard braking and rough roads at first.
• ✅ If the steering wheel is off-center or the vehicle pulls, drive carefully to an alignment shop.
• ✅ Get a professional front alignment as soon as possible.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $750-$1,150 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $450-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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