How do you change rear shock assembly's on a 1996 ford escort lx?

Answer 1

You have to take the whole strut assembly off (shock and spring). Then with a spring compressor on the coil spring, take the top nut off the strut shaft and take the spring off. Once the spring is off the whole strut assembly is replaced which will contain a new shock. Then you already have the spring compressed, so you put the old spring on to new strut (shock) put the top back on, release the spring and tighten the nut. You have to have a vise to clamp the strut into to replace the strut body.