Though not popular with some consumers because of its oval shape, the 1996 Ford Taurus managed to retain the title of best-selling passenger car in the U.S. because of sales to rental fleets. The "GL" trim level -- a step up from the "G" -- had available options not offered on the base model, such as remote keyless entry, cruise control, rear window wiper and greater fuel tank capacity. The Taurus GL sedan uses rear struts, but the station wagon uses shocks in the rear suspension.
Open the rear hatch. Using a small flat screwdriver, remove the side luggage compartment trim panel push-pin retainers, and remove the side trim panels.
Chock the front wheels. Using the tire tool, remove the hub trim caps, then loosen -- but do not remove -- the lug nuts. Locate the rear jacking points on the sill just forward of the rear wheel wells. Pad the jack cradle with a clean shop rag and position the jack beneath the jacking point.
Raise the rear of the wagon, one side at a time, and support it on jack stands. Finish removing the lug nuts, and remove the rear wheels.
Position the jack beneath the lower control arm near the brake drum, and raise the lower control arm until it is about where it would be in relation to the frame with the vehicle resting on the ground.
Locate the shock towers within the luggage compartment, and remove the oval access covers. Hold the shock absorber shaft with an open-end wrench to prevent it from rotating, and remove the shock retainer nut, using a ratchet, extension and crow's foot wrench. Discard the retainer nut as it is designed for one-time-use only. Remove and discard the washer and rubber insulator.
Remove the lower shock mounting bolt, using a ratchet and socket. Collapse the shock slightly to disengage the bottom from the control arm, then remove the shock.
Install a new washer and rubber insulator on the shock, then install the upper end into the shock tower. Push the lower end carefully into position, and install the lower shock bolt and nut. Torque the nut to 50 to 68 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench.
Install a new washer and rubber insulator from the bushing kits on top of the shock rod. Install and torque the new shock retainer nut to 19 to 25 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench, extension, crow's foot wrench and open-end wrench.
Install the rear wheels. Snug the lug nuts. Lower the car to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 85 to 105 foot-pounds in a star pattern.
Install the oval access covers. Install the luggage compartment trim panels and push-pin retainers.
