Replace both front strut assemblies on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, including removal of upper mounting nuts and lower strut bolts, installation of new strut assemblies, and proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly (complete) × 2 — Use OEM specification or equivalent (Motorcraft, Monroe, Bilstein)
• Sway bar link (if worn or damaged) × 2 — K90707

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and set parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point
5. Place jack stands under frame rails behind front wheels
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability before proceeding
7. Remove front wheels completely and set aside
8. Spray all fasteners to be removed with penetrating oil and allow 10-15 minutes to soak

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower on the driver side. The strut tower is visible at the top of the wheel well area inside the engine bay. You will see three 15mm nuts holding the top of the strut assembly. Do NOT remove these nuts yet. Clean the area around the nuts with a wire brush to prevent dirt from falling into the assembly.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut (driver side)
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the lower portion of the strut. Use a 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft of the link from rotating, then use a 14mm socket to remove the upper nut connecting the link to the strut. The link may be under tension, so control it as the nut is removed. If the link is severely corroded or the ball joint is worn, plan to replace it during reassembly.
   ⚠The sway bar link may be under tension and could move suddenly when disconnected. Keep hands clear of pinch points.
3. 3

   Remove lower strut-to-knuckle bolts (driver side)
   Locate the two large bolts (18mm) connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are horizontal bolts passing through the strut bracket. Support the strut assembly with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove both bolts completely. You may need to use a pry bar to separate the strut from the knuckle once the bolts are removed. The knuckle will drop slightly when separated.
   ⚠The strut assembly will become loose once the lower bolts are removed. Ensure it is supported to prevent it from falling.
4. 4

   Remove upper strut tower nuts (driver side)
   From the engine bay, remove the three 15mm nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Have an assistant support the strut from below, or carefully support it yourself. Once all three nuts are removed, carefully lower the strut assembly down and out through the wheel well. Maneuver it past the brake lines and ABS sensor wiring.
   ⚠️The strut assembly will fall once the upper nuts are removed. Ensure it is properly supported from below before removing the final nut.
5. 5

   Inspect mounting surfaces and hardware
   With the strut removed, inspect the strut tower mounting surface for rust, damage, or cracks. Clean the mounting surface with a wire brush. Inspect the steering knuckle mounting holes for elongation or damage. Check the condition of the sway bar link; replace if ball joint is loose or boots are torn. Verify the new strut assembly matches the old one in length, mounting configuration, and spring rate.
6. 6

   Install new strut assembly (driver side)
   Guide the new strut assembly up through the wheel well, aligning the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Ensure brake lines and ABS wiring are clear. From the engine bay, start all three upper mounting nuts by hand onto the studs. Thread them several turns to hold the strut in position, but do not torque yet. Verify the strut is properly seated against the tower.
7. 7

   Torque upper strut tower nuts (driver side)
   Using a torque wrench and 15mm socket, torque the three upper strut tower nuts to specification in a star pattern (alternate between nuts to ensure even seating). This ensures the strut mount is properly compressed and centered.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Connect lower strut to knuckle (driver side)
   Align the steering knuckle with the lower strut bracket. You may need to use a pry bar to align the holes or lift the knuckle slightly. Insert both 18mm strut-to-knuckle bolts through the bracket and knuckle. Start the nuts on the backside by hand. Ensure the bolts are fully seated and the strut bracket is flush against the knuckle before tightening.
9. 9

   Torque lower strut bolts (driver side)
   Using a torque wrench and 18mm socket, torque both lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. Torque both bolts fully; do not alternate partially as with smaller fasteners.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link (driver side)
    Position the sway bar link between the sway bar and the strut mounting point. Insert the upper link stud through the strut bracket. Install the nut and hand-tighten. Use the 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft from rotating while torquing the nut with a 14mm socket and torque wrench to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat procedure for passenger side
    Perform steps 1 through 10 for the passenger side front strut. Access the passenger strut tower from the engine bay, disconnect the sway bar link, remove lower strut bolts, remove upper tower nuts, remove old strut, install new strut, torque upper nuts, connect lower bolts, torque lower bolts, and reconnect sway bar link with proper torque specifications.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Install both front wheels onto the hubs, ensuring the mounting surfaces are clean. Start all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a hand wrench until snug. Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to the ground. Once the vehicle weight is on the wheels, torque all lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final verification and test
    With the vehicle on the ground, bounce each corner of the front end several times to settle the suspension. Check that all fasteners are tight and properly torqued. Verify no tools or parts were left in the wheel wells or engine bay. Close the hood. Test drive the vehicle in a safe area at low speed, checking for unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues. Apply brakes gently to ensure proper function.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners must be torqued to specification using a calibrated torque wrench
2. Upper strut tower nuts must be torqued in a star pattern for even seating
3. Wheel lug nuts must be torqued in a star pattern with vehicle weight on the ground
4. Sway bar link nuts require holding the shaft with an Allen key while torquing

Verification

• Bounce each front corner of the vehicle; struts should dampen motion within 1-2 cycles with no clunking sounds
• Verify all three upper strut tower nuts are tight and the mount is not loose or rotating
• Check that lower strut bolts are fully torqued and the knuckle is firmly attached to the strut
• Test drive at low speed and verify normal handling, no pulling to either side, and no unusual noises from suspension
• CRITICAL: Schedule a professional wheel alignment within 24 hours or 50 miles of completing this repair. Strut replacement affects camber and toe settings

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