What is the proper way to tighten my front shocks. Do I just turn the top nut in the right direction or is there more to it

Strut and Spring Assembly Removal

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
   

1. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.
   

1. CAUTION: To avoid damage to the 6mm drive hole in the front stabilizer bar link ball stud, do not use an Allen wrench to break loose or tighten to final torque the front stabilizer bar link-to-front shock absorber nut.
   Remove the stabilizer bar link retaining nut and disconnect the link from the strut.
   

1. CAUTION: Do not allow the halfshaft to move outboard. Over extension of the CV joint may result in the separation of internal parts, causing failure of the joint.
   Remove the strut assembly-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt. If required, slightly spread the steering knuckle to ease the removal of the strut. Pry down on the lower control arm and roll the strut base out of the knuckle. Do not pry on the halfshaft, as damage may result. Wire the steering knuckle up to prevent the halfshaft from moving outboard.
   

1. Partially lower the vehicle.
   

1. Support the strut assembly and remove the top three mount-to-strut tower nuts. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
   

1. CAUTION: The strut assembly is under spring tension. Attempting to disassemble the strut without properly compressing the spring can result in injury.
   Using a suitable spring compressing tool, slightly compress the strut spring to relieve initial tension. Loosen the upper rod nut. Continue to compress the spring until the tension is relieved. Remove the upper rod nut.
   

1. Remove all upper mounting parts, coil spring, and coil spring isolators from the strut and save them for reassembly. Carefully note the position of each part during removal to ensure proper reassembly. Inspect each part for wear and damage as it is removed.
   

Installation

1. CAUTION: The bearing and seal assembly is press-fit onto the upper mount. The mount washers must be installed in the correct orientation.
   NOTE: Be sure to check the spring insulator for damage before assembly. If the outer metal splash shield is bent or damaged, it must be carefully bent back, so it does not touch the locator on the bearing and seal assembly.
   
   NOTE: New gas struts are shipped with the rod in a locked down position. To extend the new strut, remove the external tie down and/or rotate the upper end of the rod, counterclockwise.
   
   Install the coil spring insulator, coil spring, and upper mounting parts to the new strut assembly. Make sure the spring is correctly seated in both spring seats.
   

Item Part Number Description 1 ? Dust Boot (Part of 18045) 2 N803826-S100 Front Shock Absorber Mounting Bracket Nut
(3 Req'd) 3 N803952-S100 Washer 4 N808625-S100 Front Shock Absorber Nut 5 18183 Front Shock Absorber Mounting Bracket 6 3B455 Front Suspension Bearing and Seal 7 5310 Front Coil Spring 8 5414 Front Spring Insulator 9 18045 Front Shock Absorber A ? Tighten to 35-40 Nm
(25-30 Lb-Ft) B ? Tighten to 55-63 Nm
(40-46 Lb-Ft)

1. CAUTION: Do not over tighten the lock nut; damage to the lock nut or piston rod could result.
   Install new rod lock nut and tighten it to 55-63 Nm (40-46 lb-ft).
   

1. Remove the spring compressing tool.
   

1. Position the strut assembly into the vehicle. Install the three mount-to-strut tower nuts. Tighten the nuts to 35-40 Nm (25-30 lb-ft).
   

1. Partially raise the hoist.
   

1. Position the strut assembly to the steering knuckle. Install the pinch bolt and tighten it to 115-132 Nm (85-97 lb-ft).
   

1. Position the stabilizer link to the strut assembly and install the retaining nut. Tighten the nut to 90-100 Nm (66-74 lb-ft).
   

1. Install the front wheel and tire assembly.
   

1. Lower the vehicle.
   

hope this helps

There is no reason the shop would have touched this nut to change a tyre, so it may be coincidence it had rattled loose.unless they did other work like head bearing adjustment

It may help to loosen the top triple clamp pinch bolts.
Check the steering head bearings for play, as the lock nut may have loosened as well.
cant help with exact torque, but tighten it fairly well with out going crazy on it

There is a socket sold,for the ends of shocks.
If you can install it,you can hold and tighten the top nut.
Shocks have been like that for 40 years.
If your removing it,cut the nut with your cut off wheel.

1. Install the upper insulator to the shock absorber.
2. Install the nut to the tennon end. Do not tighten the nut.
3. Remove the safety stands.
4. Lower the vehicle.
5. Hold the tennon end with a wrench while torquing the nut.
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

please give good rating if this helps


Section 04-01: Suspension and Wheel Hubs, Front 1996 Taurus, Sable Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Stabilizer Bar Removal

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Section 00-02 .
   

1. Support vehicle with hoist or safety stands behind front sub-frame (5C145).
   

1. CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage boot seal. Do not use power tools to tighten nut, or bearing and seal damage will result. Install nut using hex hold feature to prevent the stud from rotating.
   Remove and discard nuts retaining stabilizer bar link (5K484) assembly to front stabilizer bar (5482) and front shock absorber (18124) with an 8 mm closed-end wrench and an 18 mm open-end wrench.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove nuts retaining steering gear (3504) to front sub-frame, and move steering gear off the front sub-frame.
   

1. With another set of support safety stands under front sub-frame, remove two rear subframe retaining bolts. Lower rear of the front sub-frame to obtain access to stabilizer bar brackets (5486).
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove front stabilizer bar U-bracket bolts and replacestabilizer bar brackets and/or front stabilizer bar as required. Discard lower suspension arm stabilizer bar insulator (5493) and bolts.
   

Installation

1. Clean front stabilizer bar to remove dirt and contamination in area of stabilizer bar insulator installation position.
   

1. Lubricate inside diameter of new lower suspension arm stabilizer bar insulator with Rubber Suspension Insulator Lube E25Y-19553-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESF-M99B112-A. Do not use any mineral or petroleum based lubricants as they will deteriorate the rubber lower suspension arm stabilizer bar insulators.
   

1. Install new lower suspension arm stabilizer bar insulators onto front stabilizer bar and position them in approximate location.
   

1. Install stabilizer bar bracket on front sub-frames and install new bolts. Tighten to 30-40 Nm (22-29 lb-ft).
   

1. Raise front sub-frame and install new front sub-frame-to-body retaining bolts. Position steering gear onto front sub-frame and install retaining nuts. Tighten to 115-135 Nm (85-99 lb-ft).
   

1. CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage boot seal. Do not use power tools to tighten nut, or bearing and seal damage will result. Install nut using hex hold feature to prevent the stud from rotating.
   Install stabilizer bar link to front shock absorber and to front stabilizer bar, making sure that the stabilizer bar link is properly positioned. The letters "Top LH" and "Top RH" are moulded into the stabilizer bar link for correct assembly to the front shock absorber strut.
   

1. Install new nuts and secure stabilizer bar link assembly to front stabilizer bar and front shock absorber. Tighten to 77-103 Nm (57-75 lb-ft) at front shock absorber strut and 47-63 Nm (35-46 lb-ft) at front stabilizer bar.
   

1. Remove safety stands.
   

1. Lower vehicle.
   

1.Turn ignition to OFF position to place steering column in unlocked position.
2.Remove hub nut
3.Loosen, but do not remove, three top mount-to-shock tower
4.Raise vehicle on a hoist.
5.Remove tire and wheel assembly
6.Move brake caliper and wire out of the way
7.Remove brake rotor
8.Remove cotter pin from tie rod end stud and remove slotted nut.
Discard cotter pin and nut
9.remove tie rod from knuckle
10.Remove stabilizer bar link nut, and remove link from strut
11.Remove and discard lower arm-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt and nut. (A drift punch may be used to remove bolt.) Using a screwdriver, slightly spread knuckle-to-lower arm pinch joint and remove lower arm from steering knuckle.
12.Press halfshaft from hub
13.Remove shock absorber strut-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt. Using a large screwdriver, slightly spread knuckle-to-strut pinch joint, if required, for removal
14.Remove steering knuckle and hub assembly from shock absorber strut
15.Remove three top mount-to-shock tower nuts and remove strut and spring assembly from vehicle
16.Compress spring with Spring Compressor
17.Place 10mm box-end wrench on top of shock strut shaft and hold while removing top shaft retaining nut with a 21mm 6-point crow foot wrench and ratchet
18.Loosen Spring Compressor , then remove top mount bracket assembly, bearing plate assembly and spring.
INSTALLATION
1.Place a 10mm box-end wrench on top of shock strut shaft and hold while tightening top shaft retaining nut with a 21mm 6-point crow foot wrench and ratchet to 53-72 Nm (40-53 lb-ft).
2.Install strut and spring assembly and three top mount-to-shock tower nuts
3.Install steering knuckle and hub assembly to shock absorber strut.
4.Install a new shock absorber strut-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt. Tighten to 98-132 Nm (73-97 lb-ft).
5.Install halfshaft into hub
6.Install lower arm to steering knuckle ensuring that ball stud groove is properly positioned and boot seal is not damaged. Install a new pinch bolt and nut. Tighten to 53-72 Nm (40-53 lb-ft).
7.Install stabilizer bar link to strut and install a new stabilizer bar link nut. Tighten to 77-103 Nm (57-75 lb-ft).
8.Install tie rod end onto knuckle.
9.Install a new tie rod end slotted nut. Tighten to 31-47Nm (23-34 lb-ft).
10.Install a new slotted nut retaining cotter pin.
11.Install brake rotor
12.Install brake caliper
13.Install tire and wheel assembly
14.Tighten three top mount-to-shock tower nuts to 30-40Nm (23-29 lb-ft).
15.Lower vehicle and tighten hub nut to 230-275 Nm (170-202 lb-ft)
16.Depress brake pedal several times prior to moving vehicle.

Hope this helps. Good luck !

2 bolts on the top of shocks and 1 bolt on the bottom but the top 2 bolts are a pain in the neck

rear
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front

Removal

1. Remove front shock absorber-to-upper shock bracket nut and bolt.
   

1. Disconnect the lower end of the front shock absorber bolt and nut from the U-bolt plate.
   

1. Compress the front shock absorber and remove.
   

Installation

1. Insert front shock absorber into the front shock absorber mounting bracket (18183). Insert bolt and tighten nut to 60-81 Nm (45-60 lb-ft).
   

1. Attach the lower end of the front shock absorber to the U-bolt plate by installing the nut and bolt. Tighten to 60-81 Nm (45-60 lb-ft).
   

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front

Item Part Number Description 1 5310 Front Coil Spring 2 18124 Front Shock Absorber 3 3A130 Tie Rod End 4 1104 Wheel Hub 5 3K185 Front Wheel Knuckle 6 3078 Front Suspension Lower Arm 7 5482 Front Stabilizer Bar 8 5K484 Stabilizer Bar Link 9 N806899-S60 Bolt (4 Req'd) 10 5486 Stabilizer Bar Bracket 11 5484 Rack and Pinion Mounting Bracket Insulator (2 Req'd) (Position Slits Toward Front of Vehicle) 12 W520214-S60 Nut (2 Req'd) 13 N807144-S60 Nut (2 Req'd) 14 N803990-S60 Bolt (2 Req'd) 15 N806364-S60 Nut (2 Req'd) 16 N808466-S428 Nut (2 Req'd) 17 N808391-S100 Bolt (2 Req'd) 18 N807089-S101 Nut (2 Req'd) 19 W500746-S426 Bolt (2 Req'd) 20 W520214-S60 Nut (2 Req'd) 21 N804608-S1428 Nut (2 Req'd) 22 N804002-S100 Washer (2 Req'd) (Dished Side Up) 23 18183 Front Shock Absorber Mounting Bracket (2 Req'd) 24 3B455 Front Suspension Bearing and Seal (2 Req'd) 25 N811008-S100 Washer (2 Req'd)(Dished Side Up) 26 N803766-S60 Nut (6 Req'd) A — Install With Color Code at Bottom of Link — Green—RH Side, Red—LH Side B — Tighten to 30-40 Nm (22-29 Lb-Ft) C — Notches and Stamped "Front" Toward Front Of Vehicle D — Tighten to 47-63 Nm (35-46 Lb-Ft) E — Tighten to 77-103 Nm (57-75 Lb-Ft) F — Tighten to 98-132 Nm (72-97 Lb-Ft) G — Tighten to 68-92 Nm (50-67 Lb-Ft) H — Tighten to 53-72 Nm (39-53 Lb-Ft)

NOTE Hold the shock absorber stem with a wrench while backing the nut off.
Wheel Mounting nut


Retaining nut and grommet Shock absorber-to-lower control arm bolts Shock absorber Replace the parts, as necessary.

Fig. Front shock absorber mounting-2WD vehicles


To install:

1. Fully extend the shock absorber stem, then push it up through thelower control arm and spring so that the upper stem passes through themounting hole in the upper control arm frame bracket.
2. Install or connect the following:
   
   Retaining nut and grommet on the stem. Tighten the nut to 106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
   
   
   Shock absorber-to-lower control arm bolts and tighten to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm) Wheel