OEM 2003 Ford Focus Rear Crossmember

2003 Ford Focus Rear Crossmember Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Service and Repair the Rear Crossmember on 2003 Ford Focus?

  A: The first step to work on the rear cross-member requires stabilizer bar removal. At this point of the procedure, do not fully tighten the lower retaining bolt on shock absorbers for 3-4-5-door vehicles so you can attach each shock absorber to its corresponding wheel knuckle. As the next step in the process remove the rear lower arms while documenting the FRONT direction marked on the front arm for correct positioning. Note the initial positions of upper arms on wheel knuckles before separating them from their knuckle attachments. Use a suitable cable tie to support the wheel knuckle and then lower along with removing the transmission jack. You should place an axle stand under the exhaust system to detach the hanger insulator from the crossmember while lowering it into an appropriate position away from the crossmember. A suitable transmission jack should support the crossmember before you can remove it by unscrewing three bolts installed on each side. Install the crossmember through positioning it with the transmission jack while you put three bolts per side before lowering the jack. After detaching its components from the crossmember exhaust hanger insulator you must remove the axle stand. The upper arm retaining bolts should remain loosely secured for now. Install the upper arms after which you should fasten them to wheel knuckles without complete bolt retention. At this point install the front lower arms without tight retention of their retaining bolts while leaving the rear lower arm retaining bolts loose. Proceed by setting the suspension to its design height then tense the upper arm retaining bolts which connect to the crossmember before moving onto upper arm wheel knuckle retaining bolts and front lower arm retaining bolts on both sides. Installation of the rear lower arm to wheel knuckle retaining bolts as well as the rear lower arm adjustment cam nuts should happen on both sides of 3-door, 4-door and 5-door vehicles. Wagon owners should tighten only the rear lower arm adjustment cam nut during this process but should leave the wheel knuckle bolts loose. The stabilizer bar receives installation at this moment without rear lower arms attachment. Lowers the rear lower arms from wheel knuckles on both sides for wagons whereas 3-door, 4-door and 5-door vehicles require shock absorber detachment from wheel knuckles on both sides. To finish the installation process lower the suspension to design height while connecting the stabilizer bar to rear lower arms on both sides and put the springs into place followed by checking the rear wheel alignment.