Yes they do have struts and they aren't hard to change
( No ) the Ford Contour is a front wheel drive vehicle
they only have them running to the rear doors
No, it does not.
Just change the fluid, it should be right next to the oil dipstick under the hood
chicken little
No. The Contour is a front-wheel drive car, and the Ranger is rear wheel drive.
rear passenger side by the tire
You can't really, but you can take them out. Instructions are in this website: http://www.ehow.com/how_7636266_ford-contour-rear-seat-removal.html
front wheel drive
The Chrysler 300 rear struts are held in place with a retaining bolt on each end of the strut. Remove the retaining bolts and the strut will come off. Reverse the process to install the new rear struts.
Try adjusting the rear brakes.