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.
2013 Ford Explorer 2WD V6-3.5LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Front Subframe: Service and Repair
Subframe - Front
Exploded View
Removal
NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.
1. NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter(R) 28-75-1 or equivalent).
Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
2. Remove the wheels and tires.
3. If equipped, remove the 3 retainers and the underbody air duct.
4. If equipped, remove the 4 retainers and the underbody shield.
5. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Remove the 2 RH and 2 LH lower pin-type retainers from the engine splash shields and position the shields aside.
6. Vehicles equipped with V6 engine, remove the engine exhaust Y-pipe.
7. Remove and discard the 4 stabilizer bar bracket-to-front subframe bolts.
8. NOTE: The hex-holding feature can be used to prevent turning of the stud while removing the outer tie-rod end nuts.
NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Remove and discard both outer tie-rod end nuts.
- Separate both outer tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
9. NOTICE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and knuckle into the resting position or damage to the ball joint seal or CV boot may occur.
NOTE:
- Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stud from turning while removing the lower ball joint nuts.
- RH shown, LH similar.
Remove and discard both lower ball joint nuts.
- Separate both lower ball joints from the wheel knuckles.
10. Remove the flap heat shield bolt and position the flap heat shield to access the EPAS electrical connectors.
11. Remove the bolt and disconnect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
12. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.
Remove and discard the steering column shaft bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
13. NOTE: FWD shown, AWD Similar.
Remove the rear roll restrictor-to-subframe bolt.
14. If equipped, remove the roll restrictor-to-subframe bolt.
15. If equipped, unlatch the cooler hose retainer latch. Pry up on the oil cooler hose retainer to release the retainer and remove it from the subframe.
16. If equipped, remove the 3 PTU cooler line mounting bracket bolts.
17. Using a wax pencil (or equivalent) apply witness marks to the vehicle and subframe to aid in installation.
18. Position the 300-OTC1585AE under the subframe assembly.
19. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Remove and discard the 4 front subframe bracket bolts.
20. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Remove and discard the 2 front subframe rearward bolts and remove the front subframe brackets.
21. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Remove and discard the 2 front subframe forward bolts.
22. Lower the front subframe assembly from the vehicle.
Installation
NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.
1. Using the 300-OTC1585AE, raise and align the subframe assembly to the witness marks made during removal.
2. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Install the 2 new front subframe forward bolts.
- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
3. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Position the front subframe brackets and install the 4 new front subframe bracket bolts finger-tight.
4. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Install the 2 new front subframe rearward bolts.
- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
5. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Tighten the 4 new front subframe bracket bolts.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
6. If equipped, install the 3 PTU cooler line mounting bracket bolts.
- Tighten to, 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
7. If equipped, install the cooler hose retainer on the subframe.
8. If equipped, install the roll restrictor-to-subframe bolt.
- Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
9. NOTE: FWD shown, AWD similar.
If equipped, install the rear roll restrictor-to-subframe bolt.
- Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
10. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.
Install the steering intermediate shaft onto the steering gear and install a new bolt.
- Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
11. Connect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and attach the wiring retainer and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
12. Position the flap heat shield and install the flap heat shield bolt.
- Tighten to 11 Nm (97 lb-in).
13. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Position both ball joints into the wheel knuckles. Install 2 new ball joint nuts.
- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
14. NOTE: The hex-holding feature can be used to prevent turning of the stud while installing the outer tie-rod nuts.
NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Position both outer tie-rod ends to the wheel knuckles and install 2 new outer tie-rod end nuts.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
15. Install the 4 new stabilizer bar bracket-to-front subframe bolts.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
16. Vehicles equipped with V6 engine, install the engine exhaust Y-pipe.
17. NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Position the RH and LH engine splash shields and install the 4 lower pin-type retainers.
18. If equipped, install the underbody shield and the 4 retainers.
19. If equipped, install the underbody air duct and the 3 retainers.
20. Install the wheels and tires.
Factory Service Tools
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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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