Shock absorber/coil spring (front) — removal, component replacement and installation Ford F150
Note: It is possible to replace the shocks or springs individually but the unit will have to be disassembled by a qualified repair shop with the proper equipment, and this will add considerable cost to the project. You can compare the cost of replacing the complete assemblies yourself to the cost of replacing individual components (with the help of a shop).
Removal
1. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Remove the front wheels.
2. If you’re working on a 4WD model, remove the brake disc (see Brakes).
3. Detach the ABS wheel speed sensor bracket and brake hose bracket from the steering knuckle (see illustration).
.3 ABS wheel speed sensor and brake hose bracket bolts
4. On 4WD models, remove the hub end cap and the driveaxle/hub nut.
5. Detach the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle (see Tie-rod ends – removal and installation).
6. On 4WD models, unbolt the Integrated Wheel End (IWE) from the steering knuckle (see Driveline).
7. Detach the upper control arm balljoint from the steering knuckle (see Upper control arm – removal and installation). If you’re working on a 2WD model, support the upper end of the steering knuckle with wire (see illustration).
.7 On 2WD models, tie the upper end of the steering knuckle to the upper control arm to prevent it from falling outward
8. If you’re working on a 4WD model, separate the lower control arm balljoint from the steering knuckle (see Balljoints – check and replacement) and remove the steering knuckle.
9. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link upper nut (see Stabilizer bar and bushings – removal and installation).
10. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower mounting nuts(see illustration).
.10 Shock absorber lower mounting nuts
11. Remove and discard the shock upper mounting nuts (see illustration).
.11 Shock absorber upper mounting nuts
12. Push downward on the lower control arm, then maneuver the shock absorber/coil spring assembly out from between the frame and the lower control arm (see illustration).
.12 A prybar inserted through the lower control arm can be used to lever the arm downward to assist in removing the shock absorber/coil spring unit (2WD model shown)
Component replacement
13. The coil spring must be separated from the shock absorber for replacement of the shock absorber unit, coil spring or upper mount. A heavy-duty spring compressor fixture will be required for this, and for this reason we recommend taking the shock absorber/coil spring assemblies to a properly equipped repair facility to have this stage of the procedure completed.
Warning: Never loosen the shock rod-to-upper mount nut without the unit mounted in a spring compressor fixture and the spring compressed!
Installation
Warning: The manufacturer states to discard removed suspension component fasteners (nuts and bolts) and replace them with new ones.
14. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to tighten the suspension fasteners to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications, the brake fasteners to the torque listed in the Brakes Specifications, and the driveaxle/hub nut (4WD models) to the torque listed in the Driveline Specifications. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.