Page 1167 of 2057

DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
4 Carry out the Strut or Shock Absorber Testing
component test in this procedure.
• Are any of the strut and spring assemblies or shock absorber components damaged?
zYe s
INSTALL new components as necessary.
REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Spring (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and
Installation).
zNo
REINSTALL the strut and spring assemblies
or shock absorbers. GO to C1.
PINPOINT TEST C : VEHICLE LEAN
DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
C1: VEHICLE LEAN
1 Detach the load levelling shock absorbers from
the wheel knuckles.
• Does the vehicle lean?
zYe s Install new rear springs.
REFER to: Spring(204-02 Rear Suspension,
Removal and Installation).
TEST the system for normal operation.
zNo
CARRY OUT the Load-Levelling Shock
Absorber Component Test in this section.
Component Tests
Raise and support the vehicle. REFER to: (100-02
Jacking and Lifting)
Jacking (Description and Operation),
Lifting (Description and Operation).
Ball Joint Inspection
1. Firmly grasp the outer end of the suspension
lower arm and try to move it up and down,
watching and feeling for any movement. Free
movement will usually be accompanied by an
audible "click''. There should be no free
movement. 2. If there is any free movement install a new lower
arm.
REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation).
G1080717en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-00- 12
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 12
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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Page 1168 of 2057

3. If a new lower arm is installed it will benecessary to check and adjust the front wheel
alignment.
REFER to: Front Toe Adjustment (204-00
Suspension System - General Information,
General Procedures)
/ Rear Toe Adjustment (204-00 Suspension
System - General Information, General
Procedures).
Strut or Shock Absorber Inspection
NOTE: Inspect the struts or shock absorber for
signs of oil weepage or leaks. Make sure that the
oil is not from another source.
Weepage:
• deposits a thin film of oil on the strut and spring assembly or shock absorber.
• is normally noticed due to a collection of dust on the strut and spring assembly or shock
absorber.
• occurs during the normal running-in period of 4800 - 8050 km. After this period no new signs
of oil should be visible.
• does not require new struts or shock absorbers to be installed.
Leakage:
• covers the entire strut and spring assembly or shock absorber with oil.
• will drip oil onto the surrounding suspension components.
• requires new struts or shock absorbers to be installed.
Strut or Shock Absorber Testing
NOTE: Struts or shock absorbers must be tested
in the vertical position.
1. Remove both strut and spring assemblies or shock absorbers. The piston rods should extend.
• Disassemble the strut and spring assemblies.
REFER to: Front Strut and Spring Assembly
(204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and
Installation).
2. Compress the piston rods. Both piston rods should offer the same resistance when
compressing.
3. Compress and release the piston rods. The piston rods should extent equally. 4. Compress and pull the piston rod in the vertical
position. Feel if the resistance force at the point
of direction change-over is perceptible without
a lag. If a lag is perceptible it is an indication of
damper valve damage and new struts or shock
absorbers must be installed. REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Spring (204-02 Rear Suspension, Removal and
Installation).
Load-Levelling Shock Absorber
1. With the vehicle unladen, measure and note the dimensions between the base of the wheel rim
and the top of the rear fender on both sides.
• The measurements on both sides should be approximately equal.
2. With a load of 4 average size adults and a 100 kg weight, measure and note the dimensions
between the base of the wheel rim and the top
of the rear fender on both sides.
3. NOTE: Due to the internal ratchet mechanism of the suspension components, the height
of the rear of the vehicle should rise during
the road test.
With a load of 4 average size adults and a 100
kg weight, drive the vehicle for 3 km on a road
of normal condition.
4. With a load of 4 average size adults and a 100 kg weight, measure and note the dimensions
between the base of the wheel rim and the top
of the rear fender on both sides.
5. If the dimensions on both sides are no longer approximately equal, install new load levelling
shock absorbers.
REFER to: Spring(204-02 Rear Suspension,
Removal and Installation).
6. NOTE: Due to the internal ratchet mechanism of the suspension components, the height
of the rear of the vehicle should rise during
the road test.
If the dimensions are approximately equal,
unload the vehicle and drive the vehicle for 3
km on a road of normal condition.
7. With the vehicle unladen, measure and note the dimensions between the base of the wheel rim
and the top of the rear fender on both sides.
Check the final dimensions with the original
dimensions taken in the unladen condition.
G1080717en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-00- 13
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 13
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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Page 1170 of 2057
Front Toe Adjustment(14 117 3)
General EquipmentWheel Alignment System
NOTE: Make sure that the vehicle is standing on
a level surface.
1. CAUTION: Make sure that the steering wheel lock is engaged.
NOTE: Make sure that the road wheels are in
the straight ahead position.
E99259
2. Check the toe setting on both sides.
General Equipment: Wheel Alignment System
3. Loosen on both sides.
Torque: 69
Nm
1.
2.NOTE: Make sure that the boot is correctly
located.
Rotate the tie-rods an equal amount in either
a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction
to adjust the toe setting on both sides.
2
E67410
1
2
G1000721en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-00- 15
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 15
GENERAL PROCEDURES
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Rear Toe Adjustment(15 211 3)
General EquipmentWheel Alignment System
NOTE: Make sure that the vehicle is standing on
a level surface.
1. Check the toe setting.
Refer to: Specifications (204-02 Rear
Suspension, Specifications).
General Equipment: Wheel Alignment System
2. Refer to: Lifting(100-02 Jacking and Lifting,
Description and Operation).
3. Loosen the rear lower arm adjustment cam nut
on both sides.
Torque: 18
Nm
E69309
4.Lower the vehicle.
5. Bounce the vehicle to make sure that the
suspension is in its normal resting position.
6. Adjust the toe setting.
E69678
7. NOTE: Only tighten the nuts and bolts when the
suspension is in the normal drive position.
Torque: 90
Nm
E69309
G1000722en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-00- 16
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 16
GENERAL PROCEDURES
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Page 1173 of 2057

Front Wheel Alignment 2WD (at curb weight)
MaximumVari-
ance
Left or Right
Setting
or
Nominal
Toler-
ance
Range
Measurem
ents
Descri
ption
1°00'
4°26'
3°26'
to
5°26'
Degrees
and
minutes
Caster
angle
1.00°
4.44°
3.44°
to
5.44°
Decimal
degrees
1°15'
-0°48'
-2°03'
to
+0°27'
Degrees
and
minutes
Camber
angle
1.25°
-0.80°
-2.05°
to -
0.45°
Decimal
degrees
-1.5
Toe-in ±1.1
1.5
Toe-in ±2.6
mm
To t a l
toe
-
0°12'
Toe-in
± 0°09'
0°12'
Toe-in
± 0°21'
Degrees
and
minutes
-
0.20°
Toe-in
± 0.15°
0.20°
Toe-in
± 0.35°
Decimal
degrees Front Wheel Alignment 4WD (at curb weight)Maximum
Vari-
ance
Left or Right
Setting
or
Nominal
Toler-
ance
Range
Measurem
ents
Descri
ption
1°00'
4°22'
3°22'
to
5°22'
Degrees
and
minutes
Caster
angle
1.00°
4.37°
3.37°
to
5.37°
Decimal
degrees
1°15'
-0°47'
-2°02'
to
+0°28'
Degrees
and
minutes
Camber
angle
1.25°
-0.78°
-2.03°
to -
0.47°
Decimal
degrees
-1.5
Toe-in ±1.1
1.5
To e - i n ±2.6
mm
To t a l
toe
-
0°12'
Toe-in
± 0°09'
0°12'
To e - i n
±0°21'
Degrees
and
minutes
-
0.20°
Toe-in
± 0.15°
0.20°
To e - i n
±0.35°
Decimal
degrees
G1000726en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-01- 2
Front Suspension
204-01- 2
SPECIFICATIONS
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Page 1175 of 2057
Front Suspension – Overview
Overview
E96874
1
2
34
5
6
7
10
8
9
Description
Item
Subframe
1
Lower arm
2
Stabilizer bar
3
Wheel knuckle
4Description
Item
Shock absorber
5
Stabilizer bar link
6
Spring
7
Heat shield
8
G1000166en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-01- 4
Front Suspension
204-01- 4
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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Page 1176 of 2057

Description
Item
Stabilizer bar bushes and bracket
9Description
Item
10 Wheel hub
Spring and damper assembly
E96884
1
2
3
4
5
67
Description
Item
Shock absorber
1
Spring
2
Spring aid
3Description
Item
Gaitor
4
Bearing
5
Top mount assembly
6
Retaining nut
7
The following components may be renewed:
• Shock absorber
• Spring
• Spring aid
• Gaitor
• Bearing
• Top mount assembly
• Retaining nut During removal and installation or renewal of
components of the spring and damper assembly,
pay attention to the following:
• Prior to installation of the spring and damper
assembly, the bearing and support bearing must
be aligned according to the installation
instructions.
• Take extra care when handling the compressed spring.
• After completing the work, the suspension geometry of the vehicle must be checked and
corrected as necessary.
G1000166en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-01- 5
Front Suspension
204-01- 5
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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Page 1177 of 2057
Subframe
E96885
1
2
2
3
3
Description
Item
Subframe
1
Rear bushes, subframe
2
Front bushes, subframe
3
The following components may be renewed:
• Subframe
• Subframe bushes During removal and installation or renewal of
components of the subframe, pay attention to the
following:
• Before installing the subframe bushes, they
must be aligned according to the installation
instructions.
• When the subframe is installed or removed, it must be aligned with the vehicle body using the
appropriate special tools.
• After completing the work, the suspension geometry of the vehicle must be checked and
corrected as necessary.
G1000166en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-01- 6
Front Suspension
204-01- 6
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
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