Complete Front Coil Over Assemblies
A front damper with its spring, mount and boot already assembled, so no spring compressor is needed.
2011 Lincoln MKZ Suspension Diagram
This interactive diagram shows the front suspension, steering, axles and rear suspension of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ. Hover over or tap any part to see what it does, the signs that it is worn, and the replacement parts we carry that fit your car, down to the side and position.
2011 Lincoln MKZ Suspension Diagram (Full Car)
2011 Lincoln MKZ Front Suspension and Steering Diagram
2011 Lincoln MKZ Rear Suspension Diagram
We carry parts for it Not stocked yet Hover or tap any part.
The 2007 to 2012 MKZ uses a short and long arm front suspension, not struts. A wide stamped upper arm sits high above the tire on a tall knuckle, and two lower arms hold the bottom of the knuckle: a straight forward arm that also carries the foot of the coil over damper, and an S shaped rearward arm on a large bushing. The front sway bar sits on the rear of the front cradle with long links up to the dampers. The steering rack behind the front axle is hydraulic, with its valve body and fluid lines on the driver side and a pump on the engine. The rear is a multi-link design on its own subframe: a wide spring arm with the coil spring in its pocket, an adjustable toe link ahead of the axle, an arched upper arm, a trailing arm forward to the body, and a separate shock behind the hub. The diagram shows the front wheel drive car; all wheel drive cars add a rear drive unit and use their own rear trailing arms and toe links. The MKZ Hybrid has electric power steering instead, with an assist motor on the rack and its own tie rods; the 3.5 V6 cars have the hydraulic rack drawn here.
We carry replacement parts for 37 of the 44 components on this diagram, 109 parts in all. See every part for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ.
Packages and kits
Front End Steering Rebuild Kits
The wearing front end parts in one order.
Front Suspension
1 Front Upper Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
A wide stamped A shaped arm high in the wheel well. Its two bushings bolt to the inner wheel house and its ball joint sits on top of the tall knuckle upright. The coil over damper passes up between its legs.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps, uneven inner tire wear, or a torn ball joint boot.
Tip: Left and right arms are different parts. Most come with the ball joint and bushings fitted; adjustable arms and ball joints are sold to add camber.
2 Front Upper Control Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
Two rubber bushings at the inner ends of the upper arm, on bolts that run front to back through brackets on the wheel house.
Signs of wear: A knock over bumps from high in the wheel well, or rubber that is cracked or pushed out.
Tip: Offset upper bushings are made to correct camber.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
3 Front Upper Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The upper ball joint is pressed into the tip of the upper arm. Its stud points down into the top of the knuckle upright.
Signs of wear: A clunk over bumps, play when the wheel is rocked top to bottom, or a split boot.
Tip: Adjustable joints give about a degree of camber change either way.
See all Front Upper Ball Joint parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
4 Front Lower Forward Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
The front of the two lower arms: a straight arm from a bushing on the front cradle out to its ball joint in the knuckle. The bottom of the coil over damper bolts to it through a bushing near its outer end.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps or when braking, or a torn ball joint boot.
Tip: The same arm fits both sides. Cars built before September 2006 use an earlier arm of the same shape; check the build date in the fit notes.
5 Front Lower Forward Arm Inner Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The bushing in the inner end of the forward arm, on a bolt that runs front to back through the cradle.
Signs of wear: A clunk when pulling away or braking, or rubber that is torn.
Tip: It presses out of the arm with a bushing tool.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
6 Front Lower Rearward Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
The rear of the two lower arms: an S shaped arm that runs back and in from its ball joint in the knuckle to a large bushing at the rear corner of the cradle. Ford calls it the rearward facing lower arm.
Signs of wear: Shimmy under braking, a clunk over bumps, or a large bushing that has split.
Tip: Left and right arms are different parts.
7 Front Lower Rearward Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The large round bushing at the inner end of the rearward arm, bolted up into the rear corner of the cradle. It is a fluid filled bushing on many cars.
Signs of wear: A shake under braking, a clunk over bumps, or rubber that has split and leaked.
Tip: This is one of the most common wear items on the front of this car.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
8 Front Damper Mount Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The bushing pressed upright into the forward arm near its outer end. The foot of the coil over damper bolts down through it.
Signs of wear: A clunk from low in the corner over bumps, or a damper foot that moves on its bolt.
Tip: Press the bushing out of the arm with a bushing tool.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
9 Front Damper Fork (driver and passenger side)
The bracket that clamps the foot of the coil over damper and bolts it down to the bushing in the forward arm.
Signs of wear: A bent fork after a curb strike pulls the wheel out of line.
Tip: The fork is reused when the damper is replaced.
We don't carry a front damper fork for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
10 Front Coil Over Damper (driver and passenger side)
The damper stands on the forward lower arm and runs up between the upper arm legs to the tower. The coil spring sits on it, and a bracket on its body carries the sway bar link.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, nose dive under braking, or fluid on the body.
Tip: Complete assemblies with the spring and mount fitted need no spring compressor.
We don't carry a front coil over damper for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
11 Front Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The front coil spring sits on a seat on the damper body and pushes up against the top mount.
Signs of wear: A corner sitting low, a broken coil end, or a clunk when turning at low speed.
Tip: Springs differ by engine and drive; replace them in pairs.
12 Front Damper Mount (driver and passenger side)
The rubber mount and upper spring seat at the top of the damper. Three studs hold it to the tower.
Signs of wear: Knocks from the top of the damper over bumps, or a groan when turning.
Tip: Often replaced with the damper, since the damper must come out either way.
13 Front Damper Bellows and Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber bellows over the damper rod with the bump stop inside. The spring hides it in the assembled view; the exploded view shows it.
Signs of wear: A torn boot, a scored rod, or a hard bang over big bumps.
Tip: Fit a new boot whenever the damper is replaced.
See all Front Shock Bellows Boot Kit parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
14 Front Steering Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The knuckle carries the hub bearing and the caliper. A tall upright rises from it to the upper ball joint, two bores in its bottom take the ball studs of both lower arms, and its rear arm takes the tie rod end.
Signs of wear: Knuckles rarely wear out. A bent one after a curb strike shows as a pull that an alignment will not fix.
Tip: Complete knuckle assemblies come with the bearing, hub, inserts and axle nut fitted.
See all Front Lowering Spindles parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
15 Front Steering Knuckle Insert (driver and passenger side)
Tapered sleeves in the two bores in the bottom of the knuckle. The lower ball studs clamp into them with a pinch bolt.
Signs of wear: A lower arm that will not seat, or a ball stud that has worn its bore loose.
Tip: The forward and rearward inserts are different parts; fit them in the right bores.
See all Front Lowering Spindles parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
16 Front Sway Bar
The front bar sits on the rear of the front cradle, behind the steering rack. Its ends run forward under the tie rods to long links up to the dampers.
Signs of wear: More body roll than before, usually from worn links or bushings rather than the bar.
Tip: Fusion and Milan front wheel drive cars use a 22.6 mm bar. All wheel drive cars, the Zephyr and the MKZ built before February 4, 2009 use a 24.4 mm bar; check the bar size before ordering bushings.
We don't carry a front sway bar for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
17 Front Sway Bar Bushing
Two rubber bushings in brackets hold the front bar to the cradle.
Signs of wear: Squeaks or knocks over speed bumps.
Tip: Bushings fit one bar size only. The cradle has to be lowered to reach them.
See all Front Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
18 Front Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side)
A long link with a ball stud at each end, from the bar end behind the axle up to a bracket on the damper body.
Signs of wear: A rattle or knock over small bumps.
Tip: Through early 2009 the links are made for the left or the right side; MKZ cars built from February 4, 2009 use one link for both sides.
See all Front Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
Steering
20 Outer Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The outer tie rod end threads onto the inner rod and its stud points up through the steering arm at the rear of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Loose steering, wander, or uneven tire wear.
Tip: Cars with the hydraulic rack use different ends from the electric steering cars (2010 and later four cylinder and 3.0 V6 cars, and the MKZ Hybrid); count the turns when you remove one and get an alignment afterward.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
21 Inner Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The inner tie rod screws into the end of the steering rack inside the rack boot.
Signs of wear: A clunk felt in the wheel or play at the rack end with the boot pulled back.
Tip: The hydraulic rack takes its own inner rods with a larger thread at the rack; they are not the same as the electric rack rods of the 2010 and later four cylinder, 3.0 V6 and hybrid cars.
See all Front Inner Tie Rod End parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
22 Steering Rack Boot (driver and passenger side)
Rubber boots seal each end of the rack around the inner tie rods.
Signs of wear: A split boot lets dirt into the rack.
Tip: Replace a torn boot before the inner tie rod wears.
23 Steering Rack
The rack and pinion sits behind the front axle, bolted on top of the rear of the cradle with three bolts. On 2006 to 2009 cars and on the 3.5 V6 MKZ through 2012 it is hydraulic: the valve body round the pinion on the driver side takes the pressure and return lines from the pump, and two steel transfer tubes run along the rack to the power cylinder.
Signs of wear: A heavy or notchy wheel, a whine from the pump, power steering fluid on the rack or in the boots, or a knock over bumps.
Tip: Fluid inside a rack boot means the rack seals are leaking. Replace split boots before dirt reaches the inner tie rods.
We don't carry a steering rack for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
Driveline
24 Front CV Axle (driver and passenger side)
The CV axles run from the transaxle to the hubs.
Signs of wear: A click when turning, grease thrown around the wheel, or a vibration under power.
Tip: Axles differ by engine and transmission; check the fit notes.
See all CV Joint Parts - Front parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
25 Rear CV Axle (AWD) (driver and passenger side) Not on every vehicle
All wheel drive cars have a rear drive unit on the rear subframe with a CV axle to each rear hub.
Not on every vehicle: Fitted to all wheel drive cars only (2007 on).
Signs of wear: A click or clunk from the rear under power, or grease around the rear wheel.
Tip: Not drawn: the diagram shows the front wheel drive car.
See all CV Joint Parts - Rear parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
Rear Suspension
26 Rear Upper Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
An arched arm above the spring arm, from the body out to the top of the rear knuckle. It sets the rear camber.
Signs of wear: Inner edge wear on the rear tires, or a knock from the rear over bumps.
Tip: Adjustable arms give about two degrees of camber change for lowered cars.
27 Rear Lower Control Arm (Spring Arm) (driver and passenger side)
The wide lower arm behind the axle. It runs from the rear cross member of the subframe out to the knuckle and carries the coil spring in its pocket. The sway bar link bolts to its front edge.
Signs of wear: A sagging rear corner, clunks from the rear, or uneven rear tire wear.
Tip: Left and right arms are different parts, and 2006 to 2008 cars use a different arm from 2009 and later cars.
28 Rear Toe Link (Lower Forward Arm) (driver and passenger side)
A short adjustable link ahead of the axle, from the subframe side member out to the knuckle. Turning its center sleeve sets the rear toe.
Signs of wear: Rear tires wearing on one edge, or a rear end that steps out over bumps.
Tip: Front wheel drive and all wheel drive cars use different links. All wheel drive cars (2007 on, V6) use their own rear trailing arms, lateral links, rear hubs and rear half shafts; check the drive type in the fit notes.
29 Rear Trailing Arm (driver and passenger side)
A long link from the front of the rear knuckle forward to a bushing in a bracket on the body. Ford calls it the twist blade.
Signs of wear: A clunk on braking or pulling away, or a worn front bushing.
Tip: The arms we list are for all wheel drive cars, which use their own arm. All wheel drive cars (2007 on, V6) use their own rear trailing arms, lateral links, rear hubs and rear half shafts; check the drive type in the fit notes.
30 Rear Upper Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The rubber bushings in both ends of the rear upper arm, at the body and at the top of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: A knock from the rear over bumps, or rear camber that has drifted.
Tip: They press out of the arm.
See all Rear Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
31 Rear Spring Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
The rubber bushings in both ends of the rear spring arm, at the subframe cross member and at the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Knocks from the rear and rear tire wear.
Tip: Polyurethane bushing kits firm up the rear but pass more noise.
See all Rear Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
32 Rear Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The rear knuckle holds the hub and the brake. The spring arm, toe link, upper arm, trailing arm and shock all attach to it.
Signs of wear: Rarely replaced unless bent in a crash.
We don't carry a rear knuckle for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
33 Rear Shock Absorber (driver and passenger side)
The rear shock is separate from the spring. Its lower eye bolts to the knuckle behind the hub and its top eye bolts into the body.
Signs of wear: Bouncing over bumps, a rear end that floats, or fluid on the body.
Tip: Replace in pairs.
34 Rear Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The rear spring sits in the pocket of the lower spring arm and pushes up against a seat in the body.
Signs of wear: A sagging rear corner or a broken coil.
Tip: Rear springs differ by engine, drive and model; replace in pairs.
35 Rear Sway Bar
The rear bar runs across the subframe ahead of the spring arms, with its ends turned back to short links on the spring arms.
Signs of wear: More rear body roll than before, usually from worn links or bushings.
Tip: Cars on 16 in wheels have a thinner bar than cars on 17 and 18 in wheels.
We don't carry a rear sway bar for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
36 Rear Sway Bar Bushing
Two bushings in brackets hold the rear bar to the subframe.
Signs of wear: Squeaks or knocks from the rear.
Tip: Bushings fit one bar size only: check the wheel size note.
See all Rear Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
37 Rear Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side)
A short link with a ball stud at the bar end and a bushed eye bolted to the spring arm.
Signs of wear: A rattle from the rear over small bumps.
Tip: The same link fits both sides.
See all Rear Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
Brakes and Hubs
19 Front Wheel Bearing and Hub (driver and passenger side)
The bearing is pressed into the knuckle and held by a snap ring; the hub is pressed through it and the CV axle splines into the hub.
Signs of wear: A hum or growl that changes with speed and gets louder in turns.
Tip: Pressing a bearing needs a press; a complete knuckle assembly avoids that.
See all Front Wheel Bearing Assembly parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
38 Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub (driver and passenger side)
A bolt on hub and bearing unit on the rear knuckle of front wheel drive cars.
Signs of wear: A hum from the rear that changes with speed.
Tip: All wheel drive cars use a pressed in rear bearing and an axle nut instead.
See all Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly parts for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ
39 Front Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
Vented 299 mm front rotors.
Signs of wear: Pulsing in the pedal, grooves, or a lip at the edge.
Tip: Replace rotors in pairs.
40 Front Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
A single piston floating caliper ahead of the axle, on a bracket bolted to the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Pulling under braking, a dragging wheel, or a fluid leak.
Tip: Calipers are listed by side.
We don't carry a front brake caliper for the 2011 Lincoln MKZ yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
41 Front Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
The pads sit in the caliper bracket either side of the rotor.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or a long pedal.
42 Rear Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
Solid 280 mm rear rotors.
Signs of wear: Pulsing or noise from the rear.
Tip: 2011 and 2012 cars use a slightly thicker rotor than 2006-2010 cars.
43 Rear Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
The rear caliper sits behind the axle, with the parking brake lever and cable built in.
Signs of wear: A dragging rear wheel or a weak parking brake.
Tip: The piston screws back in; it does not push in.
44 Rear Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
The rear pads in the rear caliper bracket.
Signs of wear: Squealing or grinding from the rear.
Questions about the 2011 Lincoln MKZ suspension
Does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have front struts?
No. It has a coil over damper, but the wheel is located by an upper control arm and two lower control arms, a short and long arm design. The damper stands on the forward lower arm and only carries the spring.
Does the 2011 Lincoln MKZ have electric power steering?
The 3.5 V6 cars have a hydraulic rack with a pump on the engine. The MKZ Hybrid has electric power steering, and its inner and outer tie rods are different parts. Check the engine in the fit notes before ordering tie rods.
What wears out most often on the front of a 2011 Lincoln MKZ?
The large bushing at the inner end of the rearward lower arm, the front sway bar links, the upper ball joints and the outer tie rod ends are the usual ones.
Why are there two front lower control arms on each side?
The forward arm and the rearward arm each have their own ball joint in the bottom of the knuckle. Together they act like one wide lower arm, and the rearward arm's large bushing lets the wheel move back slightly over bumps.
Are the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ the same underneath?
Yes. The Fusion, Milan, Zephyr and MKZ share the same arms, ball joints, knuckles and rear links; springs, dampers, steering and the front sway bar size differ by model, engine and drive.
Do front wheel drive and all wheel drive cars use the same rear parts?
The spring arms, upper arms, shocks and sway bar are shared. All wheel drive cars use their own trailing arms, toe links and rear hub bearings, and add rear CV axles. Check the drive type on each part.
Printable 2011 Lincoln MKZ suspension diagrams
Numbered diagrams to print or save for the shop. The numbers match the numbered parts on the interactive diagram.
