This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front coil springs on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine. This involves disassembling the strut assembly and using a spring compressor to safely remove and install the coil spring.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front coil spring (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent heavy-duty aftermarket
• Upper strut mount bearing and isolator (recommended) × 1 — Motorcraft or equivalent
• Strut bumper (recommended) × 1 — Replace if damaged
• Ball joint castle nut (if cotter pin type) × 1 — Replace if damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and set parking brake firmly
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is still on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands at frame rails behind front suspension
5. Remove front wheel on side being serviced
6. Spray all fasteners to be removed with penetrating oil and allow to soak (strut bolts, ball joint nut, sway bar link, upper strut nuts)
7. Place floor jack under lower control arm for support but do not lift

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connecting to the strut assembly. Hold the ball stud with an Allen key to prevent rotation, then remove the upper nut using appropriate socket. Separate the link from the strut. If the ball stud spins, use locking pliers on the stud.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Separate lower ball joint from knuckle
   Remove the castle nut or retaining nut from the lower ball joint stud (located where the lower control arm connects to the steering knuckle). If equipped with a cotter pin, remove and discard it first. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to break the taper connection between the ball joint and knuckle. Strike the separator firmly but avoid damaging the ball joint boot if reusing the control arm.
   ⚠The knuckle and strut assembly will become loose once the ball joint is separated. Ensure the floor jack is positioned under the lower control arm to control movement.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut101 Nm (75 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove lower strut mounting bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle at the bottom of the strut assembly. Remove both bolts completely. These are large diameter bolts and may require a breaker bar. Support the knuckle and strut assembly as you remove the second bolt.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy and will be loose once both bolts are removed. Control the assembly to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Access upper strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower under the hood. Remove any plastic cowl covers or insulation as necessary to access the three upper strut mounting nuts. On the F-150, these are typically visible without removing much trim.
5. 5

   Remove upper strut tower nuts and extract strut assembly
   While supporting the strut assembly from below, remove all three upper strut tower nuts. Do NOT allow the center shaft nut to rotate - only remove the three outer mounting nuts. Carefully lower and remove the complete strut assembly from the vehicle through the wheel well.
   ⚠️Do NOT remove the center strut shaft nut at this time. Removing this nut without compressing the spring will cause violent spring release and serious injury.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Install spring compressor on coil spring
   Place the strut assembly in a secure vise or strut vise mount if available. Install the coil spring compressor tools according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring they engage at least 3 full coils and are positioned 180 degrees opposite each other. The compressor hooks must be fully seated in the coil wire, not resting on top of a coil.
   ⚠️Improperly installed spring compressors can slip off during compression, causing severe injury. Verify solid engagement before applying pressure.
7. 7

   Compress coil spring
   Gradually and evenly compress the coil spring by alternating between the two compressor tools. Compress until there is visible gap between the spring and the upper spring seat, and the spring tension is completely relieved from the upper mount. The strut shaft should be able to rotate freely when properly compressed. This may require significant compression.
   ⚠️Compress the spring evenly and gradually. Never stand directly over the assembly during compression. Ensure both compressor tools are tightened equally to prevent spring from cocking sideways.
8. 8

   Remove strut shaft nut and upper mount
   Hold the strut shaft from rotating using an Allen key or appropriate tool in the top of the shaft. Remove the upper strut shaft nut completely. Remove the upper strut mount, bearing plate, and upper spring isolator. Keep these components in order for reassembly.
9. 9

   Remove old coil spring
   With the upper mount removed and spring still compressed, carefully remove the compressed coil spring from the strut body. Remove any lower spring isolators or seats. Keep the spring compressors installed on the old spring until the new spring is ready to install.
10. 10

    Install spring compressors on new coil spring
    Transfer the spring compressors to the new coil spring, or use a second set if available. Position the compressors in the same location as used on the old spring and compress the new spring to approximately the same compressed length as the old spring was compressed. Ensure the spring end positioning matches the original orientation.
    ⚠The new spring may have a different tension than the old spring. Compress sufficiently to allow installation onto the strut with clearance at the upper mount.
11. 11

    Install new spring onto strut assembly
    Place the compressed new coil spring onto the strut body, ensuring the lower end of the spring seats properly in the lower spring seat/isolator with correct orientation. The spring end must align with the locating tab or recess in the lower seat. Install the upper spring isolator, bearing plate, and upper strut mount in the correct order.
12. 12

    Install and torque strut shaft nut
    Thread the strut shaft nut onto the shaft. Hold the shaft from rotating and tighten the nut. While specific torque for the center nut is not provided in the database, tighten securely (typically 50-60 Nm or 37-44 lb-ft for this application). Ensure the bearing rotates freely and the mount is seated properly.
    ℹ️Verify the upper mount is properly aligned with the strut body orientation before final tightening.
13. 13

    Release spring compressor
    Carefully and evenly release the spring compressor tools by loosening them gradually and alternating between tools. Ensure the spring seats properly in both upper and lower seats as tension is released. Once all tension is on the strut mount and seats, completely remove the compressor tools.
    ⚠Release the compressor slowly and evenly. If the spring appears to be seating improperly, re-compress and correct the alignment.
14. 14

    Install strut assembly into vehicle
    Guide the strut assembly back into position through the wheel well, aligning the upper mount studs with the holes in the strut tower. Install the three upper strut tower nuts finger-tight initially. Align the lower strut bracket with the steering knuckle and insert both lower strut bolts. Install nuts on lower strut bolts finger-tight.
15. 15

    Torque upper strut tower nuts
    Torque the three upper strut tower nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even seating of the mount.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reconnect lower ball joint to knuckle
    Use the floor jack to raise the lower control arm and align the ball joint stud with the hole in the steering knuckle. Install the ball joint nut and tighten to specification. If using a castle nut, align the slots with the cotter pin hole and install a new cotter pin.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut101 Nm (75 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Torque lower strut mounting bolts
    Torque both lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. These are critical fasteners for steering and suspension alignment.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)
18. 18

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Position the sway bar link into the strut mounting point. Install the upper nut while holding the ball stud with an Allen key to prevent rotation. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
19. 19

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel and thread all lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern while the vehicle is still on jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and perform final torquing of lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. If replacing both front springs, repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side
2. Ensure all fasteners have been torqued to specification before driving the vehicle
3. Clean any tools and verify no parts or tools remain in the engine bay or wheel well

Verification

• With vehicle on level ground, bounce the front end and verify the strut rebounds smoothly without noise
• Visually inspect that the upper strut mount sits flush against the strut tower with no gaps
• Turn the steering wheel full lock in both directions and verify no binding or unusual noises from the suspension
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment immediately - spring replacement will alter suspension geometry and alignment
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area and verify normal handling and no suspension noises
• After first 50-100 miles, re-torque all suspension fasteners to specification as settling may occur

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