Replace rear struts - 1997 Mercury Sable

i'm not sure that you have "air " shocks or struts , follow this link to an automotive parts site , put in your vehicle details and it will show exactly the type of suspension components you require
Replacement Parts Car Parts and Truck Parts

Replace it as a unit. Strut, spring, strut mount all in one. It's called a quick strut. Raise car by the body not the wheel. Remove brake line (1 bolt) from strut lower. Remove 2 large bolts holding lower strut end. In the trunk 3 smaller bolts hold the strut mount (upper end) in place. DO NOT remove the single large nut at the top of the strut assembly. Wiggle the strut assembly out. Slide the new strut assembly in bolt it back in. Put wheel back on. Done.

jack up rear of car and place on jackstands. remove rear wheels there is two bolts that hold strut to the wheel assembly also unbolt brake line bracket now inside of car is top of strut tower there is a plastic cosmetic cover once removed there are three bolts to be undone. DO NOT LOOSEN CENTER BOLT. strut will drop out with a little manouevering. Use strut spring compressor to remove strut springs. and reinstall on new struts be sure to follow all safety instructions and warnings. autozone rents this tool, or take to shop to have someone do this part of job for you. now installation of strut is opposite of removal. hope this helps

Pretty sure your car has struts on the rear and the shock function is part of the strut. Replacing struts is more difficult than replacing shocks and they should be replaced in pairs.

you tube clips can help you replace rear struts.i would replace both struts same time and call auto parts for struts prices.

If the struts are new the springs may need to be replaced. These struts should have a spring around them then there is the leaf spring that could be the issue. You could try using spring stiffiners to tighten the suspension up but I would discuss this with my mechanic first. it really sounds like they replaced the struts with a standard strut assembly and what you wanted was the sport suspension strut.

REMOVE**** FRONT SHOCKS, FIRST OF ALL.SUPPORT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WITH A JACK,REMOVE FRONT WHEEL, REMOVE BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS TO THE STRUT BOLTS OR CLIPS,REMOVE ACTUATOR FROM TOP OF THE STRUT,IF EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING SUSPENSION. PAINT ALIGNMENT MARKS ON THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING BLOCK AND STRUT TOWER AND ON THE LOWER STRUT MOUNT TO STEERING KNUCKLE SO THAT CAN BE REINSTALLED IN THE SAME POSITION. REMOVE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING NUTS, REMOVE THE STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS,REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT INTO THE STRUT TOWER ALIGNING THE PAINT MARKS MADE DURING REMOVAL.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 34 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS. INSTALL ACTUATOR AND ENGAGE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IF EQUIPPED WITH AAS. INSTALL BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS CLIPS OR BOLTS.INSTALL WHEEL AND CHECK ADJUST THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. TO ( REPLACE REAR SHOCKS ) REMOVE REAR WHEELS, REMOVE REAR PACKAGE TRIM. REMOVE SPEED SENSOR HARNESS, REMOVE TOP STRUT NUTS,THE SUSPENSION WILL DROP WHEN THE WEIGHT LIFTS OFF THE WHEELS. REMOVE BOTTOM STRUT BOLTS.REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT ASSEMBLY, INSTALL BOTTOM STRUT MOUNT BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 33 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL SPEED SENSOR HARNESS.INSTALL REAR PACKAGE TRIM. INSTALL REAR WHEELS.

Hello, and welcome to FixYa. I'll be glad to help you out.

When you had the struts replaced, one of two things happened.

one - the rear strut retention bolts were not tightened up properly at the tops of the struts

two- the top supports on the struts were not replaced. Whenever we change the struts, we always replace the top supports. More than likely, this is your problem. The rear strut supports are notorious for wearing out, and, when they do, they make loud banging noises.

2004 Camry rear support part numbers:

Left: 48750-33062
Right: 48760-33062

I would suggest replacing the top supports to cure your problem.

Thank for choosing FixYa for advice!

raise rear of vechicle then support by jack stands.let rear suspension hang to take pressure off strut coil springs.remove rear package tray trim panel. remove rear wheel.remove brake load sensor .remove brake hose.remove stabilizer bar bracket and link.remove tension strut .remove spindle pinch bolt and strut assembly.if the strut coil spring broke you wont need a coil springcompressor.BESURE INSTALL NEW MOUNTING BOLTS AND PINCH BOLT.install the strut assembly.use a new pinch bolt .torque it to 50-67 ft lbs.torque the 3 upper mounting nuts to 19-25 ft lbs. tension strut torque nut to 35-46 ft lbs. stabilizer bar link torque to 60- 81 inch pounds.stabilizer bar bracket torque to 25-33 ft lbs.NOW INSTALL .brake hose / brake load sensor/ rear wheel /rear package tray trim panel.