Hi all.

I have a couple of questions regarding our trusty old Taurus. It's 13
years old now, and is propably going to be replaced in a year or so;
but we're building a house and it such a heck of a convenient vehicle
for hauling stuff around!

Anyway, it's been squeeking (squeaking?) for about a month now, in the
back. I have to go over a number of speed bumps every day, and every
time I do that I hear that nasty squeeking, when the rear goes up and
down. And that's at 5 mph or less. I'm assuming the suspension is
getting tired at this age...

Question: would this be the spring, or the shock making that sound?
Shock, strut, I don't know the difference, sorry. Are they synonyms?
(Not a native English speaker, sorry).

Are these parts easy to replace, with regular tools? In this small TX
town there's only one mechanic left, and his hourly rate keeps going
up...

After that is fixed I'd like to install a hitch (another word I'm not
sure of) under the back to tow a small trailer. I've heard it can be
owner-installed. Any recommendations?

Thanks for your time,

Rick