OEM 2004 Ford Focus Rear Crossmember

2004 Ford Focus Rear Crossmember Parts Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair the Rear Crossmember on 2004 Ford Focus?

  A: The first step for fixing the rear cross-member involves removing the stabilizer bar. All types of vehicles should have the shock absorber connected to the wheel knuckle while leaving the lower retaining bolt loose. The safe removal of rear lower arms requires making a comprehensive record of how the front lower arms should be fitted. Record the wheel knuckle positions before removing the upper arms along with front lower arms from their attachments. A suitable cable tie supports the wheel knuckle before you proceed to lower and remove the transmission jack. The exhaust system requires an axle stand for support to allow you to disconnect it from the crossmember exhaust hanger insulator while lowering it to gain clearance. A transmission jack should support the crossmember while you unscrew three bolts located on each side. A transmission jack should guide position of the crossmember before securing the crossmember by three bolts on each side before removing the jack. Install the exhaust system onto the crossmember exhaust hanger insulator before taking away the axle stand. First, install the upper arms but retain the retaining bolts slightly loose. Finally, attach them to the wheel knuckles without achieving full bolt tightness. The installation of front lower arms along with rear lower arms must be done with their bolts left loose. Proceed with suspension height adjustment at design specifications and secure first the crossmember retaining bolts and then the wheel knuckle retaining bolts on both sides. Tighten all bolts that secure the front lower arms and rear lower arms and their adjustment cam nuts and the bolts between rear lower arms and wheel knuckles on both sides. The rear lower arm to wheel knuckle bolts of wagons should remain slightly loose at this point while you should tighten the rear lower arm adjustment cam nuts on both sides. Add the stabilizer bar to its position without connecting it to the rear lower arms during installation. It is necessary to remove wheel knuckle-attached lower arms on wagon models before proceeding with shock absorber disconnection from wheel knuckles on 3-door, 4-door and 5-door models. The last step consists of lowering the suspension to design height while attaching both stabilizer bar to the rear lower arms before fitting the springs and inspecting rear wheel alignment.