DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
B4: INSPECT THE SUSPENSION BUSHINGS
1 Inspect the suspension bushings for excessive
wear or damage.
• Are the bushings worn or damaged?
zYe s INSTALL new components as necessary.
REFER to:
Lower Arm (204-01 Front Suspension, Removal
and Installation),
Front Strut and Spring Assembly (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation),
Front Stabilizer Bar (204-01 Front Suspension,
Removal and Installation),
Rear Stabilizer Bar Link (204-02 Rear Suspen-
sion, Removal and Installation).
zNo
GO to B5.
B5: INSPECT THE SUSPENSIONS LOWER ARM BALL JOINTS
1 Carry out the Ball Joint Inspection component
test in this procedure.
• Is the lower arm ball joint or gaiter damaged?
zYe s INSTALL new lower arm.
REFER to: Lower Arm (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation).
TEST the system for normal operation.
zNo
GO to B6.
B6: INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARINGS
1 Check the wheel bearings.
• Are the wheel bearings damaged?
zYe s INSTALL a new wheel hub(s).
REFER to: Wheel Hub (204-01 Front
Suspension, Removal and Installation).
zNo
GO to B7.
G1080717en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-00- 10
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 10
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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DETAILS/RESULTS/ACTIONS
TEST CONDITIONS
B7: INSPECT THE WHEEL AND TIRES
1 Inspect the tires for uneven wear.
• Is there uneven wear?
zYe s REFER to the symptom chart.
zNoGO to B8.
B8: INSPECT THE STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY AND REAR SUSPENSION SPRING INTERFACE
1 Loosen the strut and spring assemblies and
shock absorbers top and bottom mounting bolts
and nuts. Tighten the mounting bolts and nuts.
REFER to:
Specifications (204-01 Front Suspension,
Specifications),
Specifications (204-02 Rear Suspension,
Specifications).
• Is the concern still evident?
zYe s GO to B9.
zNoVehicle condition corrected.
B9: INSPECT THE STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLIES AND SHOCK ABSORBER COMPONENTS
1 Check that the spring is correctly located on the
spring seat and has not moved.
2Disassemble the strut and spring and assembly
and inspect the individual components.
REFER to:
Front Strut and Spring Assembly
(204-01 Front Suspension, Removal and
Installation).
3 Inspect the shock absorber top mount for wear
or damage.
G1080717en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-00-
11
Suspension System - General Information
204-00- 11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
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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
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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
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FORD KUGA 2011.0MY WORKSHOP REPAIR MANUAL
SECTION 204-01 Front Suspension
VEHICLE APPLICATION:2008.50 Kuga
PA G E
CONTENTS
SPECIFICATIONS
204-01-2
Specifications ........................................................................\
..............................................
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 204-01-3
Front Suspension (Component Location) ........................................................................\
...
204-01-4
Front Suspension (Overview) ........................................................................\
.....................
204-01-4
Overview ........................................................................\
.....................................................
204-01-5
Spring and damper assembly ........................................................................\
.....................
204-01-6
Subframe ........................................................................\
....................................................
204-01-7
Stabilizer bar ........................................................................\
...............................................
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION 204-01-8
(14 371 0)
Wheel Hub ........................................................................\
..............................
204-01-9
(14 411 0;
14 411 4;
Front Wheel Bearing
........................................................................\
...............
14 412 0;
14 414 4;
14 416 4)
204-01-13
(14 706 0;
14 707 0;
14 709 0)
Lower Arm
........................................................................\
..............................
204-01-15
(14 752 0)
Front Stabilizer Bar ........................................................................\
.................
204-01-20
(14 754 0;
14 754 4)
Front Stabilizer Bar Bushing
........................................................................\
...
204-01-21
(14 343 0)
Wheel Knuckle ........................................................................\
........................
204-01-26
(14 781 0;
14 782 0)
Front Strut and Spring Assembly
....................................................................
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY 204-01-29
(14 783 4)
Front Strut and Spring Assembly ....................................................................
204-01-1
Front Suspension
204-01- 1
.
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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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Front Strut and Spring Assembly(14 781 0; 14 782 0)
Special Tool(s)204-159
Lever, Wheel Knuckle
14039
204-605
Separator, Lower Arm Ball
Joint
E63772
Removal
NOTE:Removal steps in this procedure may
contain installation details.
1. Refer to: Cowl Panel Grille (501-02 Front End
Body Panels, Removal and Installation).
2.
E101070
G1000210en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-01- 26
Front Suspension
204-01- 26
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
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Front Strut and Spring Assembly(14 783 4)
Special Tool(s)204-167
Compressor, Coil Spring
14042
204-167-01
Adapter for 204-167
1404201
Disassembly
WARNING: Take extra care when handling
the compressed spring.
1. Install the Special Tool(s): 204-167, 204-167-01
E97819
204-167-01
204-167
1
2
2. NOTE: Note the position of each component
before removal.
E132038
G1000221en2008.50 Kuga8/2011
204-01- 29
Front Suspension
204-01- 29
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
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