suspension

Strut Assembly - Rear

for 2012 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.8 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear strut assemblies on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 4WD with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including disconnecting sway bar links and strut-to-knuckle mounting hardware.

Warnings

⚠️SAFETY-CRITICAL: Suspension component failure can cause loss of vehicle control and death. If you lack proper tools, experience, or torque specifications, have this work performed by a professional.

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠️All torque specifications marked [CRITICAL] must be followed exactly. Under-torquing can cause components to separate during driving; over-torquing can cause component failure.

⚠Rear suspension springs are under tension. Do not disassemble strut assemblies unless using a proper spring compressor.

⚠Ensure vehicle is on level ground before raising. Engage parking brake and chock front wheels.

Tools required

Floor jackEssential

Jack stands (minimum 2-ton capacity)Essential

Torque wrench (30-200 Nm range)Essential

21mm socket for lug nutsEssential

18mm socket and wrenchEssential

15mm socket and wrenchEssential

13mm socketEssential

6mm Allen keyEssential

Ratchet and extension setEssential

Breaker bar

Pry bar

Wire brush

Penetrating oil

Impact wrench

Parts

Rear strut assembly (left) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
Rear strut assembly (right) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent

Preparation

Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
Chock front wheels securely on both sides
Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at rear differential or frame rail
Place jack stands under frame rails behind rear axle mounting points
Lower vehicle onto jack stands, ensuring stable support
Remove rear wheels completely and set aside
Spray penetrating oil on sway bar link nuts and strut mounting hardware if corrosion is visible; allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate

Procedure

1
Access upper strut mount
From inside the bed, locate the rear strut tower access. On F-150, the upper strut mounts are accessible from behind the rear wheelwell. You may need to remove bed liner or plastic trim clips to access the three upper strut tower nuts. The nuts are located on top of the strut tower.
2
Support the rear axle
Position a floor jack under the rear axle housing near the shock being replaced. Raise jack just enough to contact the axle and take slight tension (not lifting). This prevents the axle from dropping when the strut is disconnected and makes reinstallation easier.
3
Disconnect sway bar link from strut
Locate the sway bar link connection at the rear strut assembly. Use a 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft of the sway bar link stud from rotating while using a 15mm wrench to remove the upper nut connecting the link to the strut. If the link is seized or ball joint spins, you may need to replace the sway bar link.
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
4
Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
Locate the two horizontal bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the rear knuckle/axle mounting bracket. Use an 18mm socket and wrench to remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts. Support the strut by hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling. The strut will pivot away from the knuckle once bolts are removed.
Torque spec
Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)
5
Remove upper strut tower nuts
From the strut tower access point, use a 13mm socket to remove the three nuts securing the upper strut mount to the chassis. Hold the strut from below while removing the final nut. Carefully lower and remove the strut assembly from the vehicle through the wheelwell area.
Torque spec
Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6
Inspect mounting hardware
Examine the upper strut mount plate and bushings on the removed strut. Check the strut-to-knuckle bolt holes for elongation or damage. Inspect the sway bar link for torn boots or excessive play. Clean the strut tower mating surface and knuckle mounting area with a wire brush to remove rust and debris.
7
Install new strut assembly
Position the new strut assembly up through the wheelwell, aligning the upper mount studs with the three holes in the strut tower. Start all three upper nuts by hand to hold the strut in place, but do not tighten yet. Ensure the strut mount is properly oriented with any directional markings or offset aligned correctly.
8
Connect strut to knuckle
Use the floor jack under the axle to raise the knuckle into alignment with the strut lower mounting bracket. Align the bolt holes and insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts. Install nuts on the bolts and tighten by hand. Verify proper seating before final torque.
Torque spec
Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)
9
Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts
Using a torque wrench and 18mm socket, torque both strut-to-knuckle bolts to 140 Nm (104 lb-ft). Torque both bolts in this step before proceeding.
⚠️CRITICAL TORQUE SPECIFICATION: These bolts secure the strut to the axle. Improper torque can result in suspension separation and loss of vehicle control.
Torque spec
Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)
10
Reconnect sway bar link
Position the sway bar link into the mounting point on the strut. Install the nut onto the link stud. Use the 6mm Allen key to hold the shaft while tightening the nut with a 15mm wrench. Torque to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
11
Torque upper strut tower nuts
Access the strut tower and torque all three upper strut mount nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) using a 13mm socket and torque wrench. Torque in a star pattern if possible to ensure even seating of the mount.
⚠️CRITICAL TORQUE SPECIFICATION: Upper strut mount nuts must be torqued correctly to prevent strut separation from chassis.
Torque spec
Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12
Repeat for opposite side
Perform steps 1 through 11 for the opposite rear strut assembly. Both rear struts should be replaced as a pair for balanced handling and ride quality.
13
Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
Mount rear wheels onto hubs, ensuring clean contact between wheel and hub surface. Install all lug nuts and tighten in a star pattern by hand. Carefully raise vehicle with floor jack to remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to the ground with full weight on all wheels.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
14
Final torque wheel lug nuts
With vehicle weight on the ground, torque all rear wheel lug nuts to 156 Nm (115 lb-ft) using a star pattern. Go around twice to ensure even torque distribution.
⚠️CRITICAL TORQUE SPECIFICATION: Wheel lug nuts must be torqued with vehicle on ground to prevent wheel separation.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Reinstall any bed liner material or trim panels removed for strut tower access
Remove wheel chocks from front wheels
Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area before returning to normal operation

Verification

Verify all lug nuts are torqued to specification after driving 50-100 miles
Check for unusual noises from rear suspension during test drive
Verify vehicle sits level and rides normally without pulling to one side
Inspect strut mounting areas for any signs of looseness or abnormal movement
Have wheel alignment checked by a professional facility, as strut replacement may affect alignment settings