Changed rear struts on hoist;after lowering car, would not start. running fine prior to strut repair. when turning key,nothing happens but door locks go up and down and everything else works (lights,radio,wipers). disconnected remote starter but no luck in starting car. this is a 1998 Ford escort.

Hi there, I'm Al the owner of Big As Auto Repair

The rear struts on the Journey are very simple to do, and you can do in your garage at home on the floor. First, you'll need a jack and a jack stand to support the axle. NOTE: Do one side at a time! Here we go: Lift the vehicle, support the axle with the jack stand, remove the wheel, take the lower bolt and note off the strut and pull it through the hole. Now take the three bolts out that hold the strut to the body. Next pull downward on the lower control arm that the brakes and everything are mounted on while lifting the strut up and over the control arm and out. VERY IMPORTANT: If you are changing the spring yourself PLEASE do not attempt to do so unless you have the proper equipment and tools to do so because this spring removal is very dangerous. NOTE: If you have bought the complete strut with the spring on it then simple put the new strut on the vehicle. VERY IMPORTANT: When installing the new strut look at the other strut on note how it installs to the vehicle. The upper plate must mount in one direction, by looking at the one still on the vehicle you can mount it properly. If you need any more assistance go to my website below. Have an awesome day! Auto Repair

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

i would check the condition of the battery, and battery cables, and also to the starter, doesn't sound like fuses, also check ground wires.

0738

Warranty should be taking care of this problem, but look for missing or damaged rubber parts in the 'anti-roll-bar' mechanism and the rear shock absorber ends. It would help to identify which end of the car it is coming from. Make sure the sliding doors fit tightly. Try 'bouncing' the van at each corner to help identify the noise. The front struts could have an internal problem. Try shaking the front and rear wheels when on the hoist. Hope this helps!

well, you could make a stink about it and have them replace them. Probably wouldn't be worth the effort, might work a deal and say you'll by the struts but they install.So by putting it on a lift the struts went to full extension and then locked up, thats a new one for me.

You will need a spring compressor first of all. You have to remove strut, compress sring to get cartridge and spring apart and then replace new spring on strut and replace into vehicle. This is a nasty job without a hoist

Suspension Strut: Service and Repair
Removal and Installation
REMOVAL
1. Remove the package tray trim panel.
2. Remove the upper strut and spring assembly nuts.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Slide the brake hose clip off and position the brake hose aside.
5. If equipped with anti-lock brakes, remove the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) sensor bracket bolt.
6. Remove the lower strut and spring assembly bolts and the strut and spring assembly.
INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

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 !