Buy Mercury Mariner Suspension Strut and Coil Spring Assemblys

The Mercury Mariner (2005-2011) rides on a MacPherson-strut front suspension shared with the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute. A strut assembly merges the shock absorber, coil spring, upper mount / bearing, dust boot, and bump stop into one bolt-in unit, controlling ride height, absorbing bumps, and acting as the steering pivot. When the strut wears out-typically around 80-120 k miles-the SUV may bounce, lean, or clunk, and stopping distances can grow. Replacing with a complete "loaded" strut cuts installation time, restores factory ride, and should always be followed by a four-wheel alignment. (Wikipedia, HowStuffWorks)

• Model years covered: 2005-2011 (all trims, including Hybrid) (Wikipedia)
• Front design: MacPherson strut with coil spring; rear uses conventional shocks. (HowStuffWorks)
• Interchange: Front left = SR4101 / GU2Z-18A092-AB; Front right = SR4100 / GU2Z-18A092-AC-fits same-year Escape & Tribute. (Ford Parts)
• Torque highlights: Strut-to-knuckle bolts 85 ft-lb; upper mount nuts 35-47 ft-lb (2007-2012 spec). (torkspec.com)
• Average replacement cost: About $570 total-$374 parts + $196 labor per side. (YourMechanic, RepairPal.com)

Motorcraft's interchange guide shows two primary assemblies for the Mariner: SR4101 (front left) and SR4100 (front right) covering 2005-08 and an updated SR4101/SR4100 pair for 2009-11 after the mid-cycle facelift. These assemblies also bolt directly into corresponding Escape and Tribute models, simplifying cross-platform sourcing. (Ford Parts)

A MacPherson strut stacks the shock absorber inside a coil spring. As the wheel hits a bump, the spring compresses while the internal damper slows the motion, keeping the tire glued to the road. Because the strut top bolts to the body's strut tower, it also doubles as the upper steering pivot, saving weight and space-ideal for compact SUVs like the Mariner. (HowStuffWorks)

• Bouncy or floating ride after bumps. (RepairPal.com)
• Nose-dive braking or excessive body roll in corners.
• Oil streaks down the strut tube (seal failure).
• Clunking / rattling over potholes-often a worn upper mount bearing. (YourMechanic, CarComplaints.com)
• Uneven tire wear from lost damping control. (CarComplaints.com)

Daily potholes, salted winter roads, and natural spring fatigue all shorten strut life. Owners on maintenance forums report needing replacements any time after 80-120 k miles depending on road quality. (Bob Is The Oil Guy)

1. Safely lift SUV; remove wheel.
2. Unbolt ABS wire & sway-bar link from strut.
3. Support knuckle; loosen 85 ft-lb strut-to-knuckle bolts. (torkspec.com, Family Handyman)
4. Remove three upper mount nuts inside engine bay (35-47 ft-lb on re-install). (torkspec.com)
5. Swap in pre-assembled strut; torque all fasteners; reinstall brake hose/ABS clips; refit wheel.
6. Finish with a professional alignment.
   A detailed video walk-through shows the process on a Mariner-platform Escape. (YouTube)

Online estimates peg parts at ~$370-$460 per corner, while mobile-mechanic services list total job averages around $570 including labor. In-shop jobs are a bit higher at $630-$710 once taxes and alignment are added. (YourMechanic, RepairPal.com)

No factory recall targets the strut itself, but a 2014 campaign (14S05) fixed electric-power-steering torque sensor faults that could make steering heavy-a problem sometimes mistaken for suspension failure. (NHTSA Static) The Center for Auto Safety also lists 2010 Mariner recalls for wheel-bearing issues that can mimic bad strut noises. (The Center for Auto Safety) Separate investigations addressed rear lift-gate glass struts, not the suspension units, but the wording causes confusion in owner forums. (Torque News)

• Inspect tires every oil change; cupping often signals weak dampers.
• Keep wheel-alignment in spec-misalignment accelerates spring sag.
• Wash wheel wells after winter to remove salt that corrodes springs.
• Replace in axle pairs (both fronts) to keep ride height even.

Q: How long do factory struts last on a Mariner?
A: Most owners start feeling bounce or clunks between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, depending on road conditions. (Bob Is The Oil Guy)

Q: Can I change just one strut?
A: It's strongly recommended to replace both fronts together so damping and ride height stay balanced. Uneven damping can cause pull and premature tire wear. (RepairPal.com)

Q: Are Mariner, Escape, and Tribute struts identical?
A: Yes-Motorcraft lists the same SR4100/SR4101 assemblies across all three siblings for the matching years. (Ford Parts)

Q: Do I need an alignment afterward?
A: Absolutely. Removing the strut disturbs camber and toe; skipping alignment can ruin new tires quickly. (Family Handyman)

Q: What torque should I use on the big knuckle bolts?
A: Ford workshop data specifies 85 ft-lb (115 N·m) on 2001-2012 SUVs in this platform. (torkspec.com)

Q: My SUV leans on one side-could it be the strut?
A: A broken or sagging coil spring inside the assembly can drop ride height on that corner. Inspect for cracked coils or uneven gaps. (CarComplaints.com)

Q: Why does the steering wheel crunch when I turn?
A: The strut-mount bearing may be worn, causing grinding sounds as the spring twists. (YourMechanic)

Q: Are quick-strut kits safe?
A: Quality "loaded" assemblies from reputable manufacturers are pre-compressed and factory-matched, saving install time and eliminating spring-compressor hazards. (Family Handyman)

Q: Can I drive with a leaking strut?
A: You can, but braking and cornering distances grow, and tires wear irregularly-replace as soon as practical. (RepairPal.com)

Q: What other noises mimic a failed strut?
A: Worn sway-bar links, ball joints, or wheel bearings often create similar clunks; a thorough inspection avoids mis-diagnosis. (YourMechanic)

Q: Does the Mariner have any strut recalls?
A: No suspension-strut recall exists; related recalls focus on steering torque sensors and rear glass support struts, which are different parts. (NHTSA Static, Torque News)

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