Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2011 Ford Explorer FWD V6-3.5LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Rear Subframe: Service and Repair
Subframe - Rear
Exploded View
NOTE: AWD (All-Wheel Drive) shown, FWD (Front Wheel Drive) similar.
Removal
1. Measure and record the vehicle ride height. REFER to Ride Height Measurement Ride Height Measurement.
2. Remove the rear wheels. REFER to Wheel and Tire Removal and Replacement.
3. With a wax pencil, mark the relational alignment of the rear subframe to the underbody at the mounting locations.
4. Remove the muffler and tail pipe. REFER to Muffler and Tailpipe Muffler and Tailpipe.
5. NOTE: If equipped, index-mark the driveshaft before disconnecting from the rear drive axle.
If equipped, remove and discard the 6 driveshaft bolts and position the driveshaft aside.
6. Remove and discard the 2 sway bar link upper nuts and reposition the sway bar.
7. Using a suitable jackstand, support the lower control arm.
8. Remove and discard the 2 rear shock absorber lower bolts.
9. Remove the jackstand from the lower control arm.
10. Disconnect the subframe assembly main electrical connector.
11. Release the parking brake cable tension. REFER to Parking Brake Cable Tension Release Procedures.
12. Disconnect the RH (Right Hand) parking brake cable from the front parking brake cable and the frame cable bracket.
13. Remove the rear parking brake cable bracket bolt and position the rear parking brake cable bracket aside.
14. NOTE: LH (Left Hand) shown, RH (Right Hand) similar.
Remove the LH (Left Hand) and RH (Right Hand) wheel opening parking brake cable bracket bolts and position the wheel opening parking brake cable brackets aside.
15. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the brake calipers.
16. Remove the 4 rear brake caliper bolts.
17. NOTICE: Do not allow the caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
NOTE: It is not necessary to disconnect the hydraulic brake lines.
Remove the 2 rear brake calipers and position aside.
- Support the 2 rear brake caliper using mechanic's wire.
18. Remove and discard the 4 rear subframe assembly bracket bolts.
19. NOTICE: When positioning the lifting table, be sure to support the rear subframe assembly on the subframe rails. Do not lift on the rear differential or rear lower control arms, damage may occur.
Position 300-OTC1585AE under the subframe assembly.
20. Remove and discard the 2 rear subframe assembly forward bolts and remove the 2 rear subframe assembly brackets.
21. Remove and discard the 2 rear subframe assembly rearward bolts.
22. Lower the rear subframe assembly from the vehicle.
Installation
1. Position the subframe to the vehicle and loosely install the 2 new rear subframe rearward bolts.
2. Position the 2 rear subframe assembly brackets and loosely install the 2 new rear subframe forward bolts.
3. Align the subframe to the alignment marks made during removal.
4. Tighten the 2 new rear subframe rearward bolts.
- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
5. Tighten the 2 new rear subframe forward bolts.
- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
6. Install the 4 new rear subframe assembly bracket bolts.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
7. Position the 2 rear brake calipers and install the 4 rear brake caliper bolts.
- Tighten to 33 Nm (24 lb-ft).
8. Connect the parking brake cables to the brake calipers.
9. NOTE: LH (Left Hand) shown, RH (Right Hand) similar.
Position the LH (Left Hand) and RH (Right Hand) wheel opening parking brake cable brackets and install the wheel opening parking brake cable bracket bolts.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
10. Position the rear parking brake cable bracket and install the rear parking brake cable bracket bolt.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
11. Connect the RH (Right Hand) parking brake cable to the front parking brake cable and the frame cable bracket.
12. Adjust the parking brake cable tension. REFER to Parking Brake Cable Tension Release Procedures.
13. Connect the subframe assembly main electrical connector.
14. Install the 2 new rear shock absorber lower bolts.
- Tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).
15. Using a suitable jackstand, support the lower control arm.
16. Position the sway bar and install the 2 new sway bar link upper nuts.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
17. Remove the jackstand from the lower control arm.
18. NOTE: If equipped, align the driveshaft using the index-mark made during removal.
If equipped, position the driveshaft and install the 6 new driveshaft bolts.
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
19. Install the muffler and tail pipe. REFER to Muffler and Tailpipe Muffler and Tailpipe.
20. Install the rear wheels. REFER to Wheel and Tire Removal and Replacement.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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