Replace the front strut bearing (upper strut mount bearing) on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, restoring smooth steering and eliminating noise from worn upper mounts.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut bearing/upper strut mount assembly × 2 — Use OEM specification (Ford part or equivalent)
• Strut mount nuts (if corroded) × 6 — M12 nuts

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels securely
3. Open hood and locate strut tower nuts (three nuts per side at top of strut towers in engine bay)
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-specified jacking points
6. Support vehicle on jack stands placed at frame rails or designated support points
7. Remove front wheels completely
8. Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts, strut tower nuts, and sway bar link nuts if corrosion is present; allow to soak 15-30 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connection at the strut assembly. Hold the ball stud with an Allen key to prevent spinning, then remove the upper nut connecting the sway bar link to the strut. The link will remain attached to the sway bar. If the ball stud spins freely despite using Allen key, use locking pliers or replace the link.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two large bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are through-bolts with nuts on the backside. Support the strut assembly with one hand or bungee cord to prevent it from falling when disconnected. Remove both bolts completely. You may need to pry the knuckle away slightly to separate it from the strut bracket.
   ⚠The strut assembly will have some weight and may shift when the last bolt is removed. Support it to prevent damage to brake lines or ABS wiring.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove strut tower nuts from engine bay
   From inside the engine bay, locate the three nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Hold the strut assembly from below to prevent it from falling. Remove all three nuts. Carefully lower the entire strut assembly out through the bottom of the wheel well.
   ⚠️The strut assembly will fall when the last nut is removed. Ensure it is properly supported and will not strike brake components, CV axles, or your hands.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Install spring compressor on strut assembly
   Place the strut assembly on a stable workbench or floor. Install a quality spring compressor on the coil spring, engaging the hooks or jaws evenly on opposite sides of the spring. Ensure the compressor threads are fully engaged (minimum 5 full turns on each side). Compress the spring gradually, alternating sides to maintain even compression, until the spring tension is completely relieved from the upper mount. You should be able to wiggle the upper mount freely when adequately compressed.
   ⚠️This is the most dangerous step. Verify spring compressor is properly installed with full thread engagement before applying tension. Compress slowly and evenly. Never place your face or body in line with the spring ends.
5. 5

   Remove strut shaft nut and upper mount
   With the spring fully compressed, hold the strut shaft from rotating using a wrench on the flats at the top of the shaft (or an Allen key in the shaft center depending on design). Remove the top center nut. Carefully remove the upper strut mount, bearing plate, and any washers or insulators. Note the exact order and orientation of all components for reassembly.
   ⚠Take photos or make detailed notes of component orientation, particularly the spring seat position and any alignment marks. Incorrect reassembly can cause noise, binding, or steering problems.
6. 6

   Inspect and replace strut bearing
   Remove the old bearing from the upper mount assembly. Inspect the bearing for roughness, corrosion, or damage. Check the strut shaft for scoring or pitting. If the shaft is damaged, the entire strut should be replaced. Install the new strut bearing into the upper mount, ensuring it is seated properly and oriented correctly per manufacturer markings.
   ℹ️Some upper mounts come as complete assemblies with the bearing pre-installed. Verify whether your replacement part requires bearing installation or is a complete unit.
7. 7

   Reassemble strut with new bearing
   Place all components back onto the strut shaft in the exact reverse order of removal: spring (with correct orientation), upper spring seat, bearing/upper mount assembly, washers, and insulators. Thread the center nut onto the shaft. Hold the shaft from rotating and torque the center nut to manufacturer specification (typically 50-80 Nm, but verify with specific strut mount instructions as this torque is NOT in the provided list).
   ⚠Ensure the spring ends are properly seated in the locating tabs of both the lower and upper spring seats before releasing spring compressor tension.
8. 8

   Release spring compressor
   Carefully and evenly release tension on the spring compressor, alternating sides to maintain even decompression. Verify the spring remains properly seated as tension is released. Once the spring is fully supporting the upper mount and compressor tension is zero, remove the spring compressor completely.
   ⚠️Release compressor tension slowly and evenly. If the spring shifts or becomes unseated, immediately stop and recompress to correct alignment.
9. 9

   Install strut assembly into vehicle
   Lift the reassembled strut assembly into position from below, guiding the upper studs through the strut tower holes. From the engine bay, thread on the three strut tower nuts finger-tight. Insert the lower strut bracket into the steering knuckle and align the bolt holes.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts through the knuckle and strut bracket. Install nuts on the backside. Torque both bolts to specification using a calibrated torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque strut tower nuts
    From the engine bay, torque all three strut tower nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even seating.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Position the sway bar link ball stud into the strut mounting point. Install the nut, hold the ball stud with an Allen key to prevent rotation, and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Mount the wheel onto the hub, thread lug nuts by hand, then snug in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but weight is still primarily on jack stands. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Repeat procedure for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-13 for the opposite front strut. Both front strut bearings should be replaced together to maintain balanced performance and prevent uneven steering feel.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification using a calibrated torque wrench
2. Verify spring compressor has been completely removed from both strut assemblies before driving
3. Double-check that all three strut tower nuts are installed and torqued on both sides
4. Confirm sway bar links are properly connected on both sides

Verification

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary; listen for any clicking, grinding, or binding noises from the strut bearings
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area, making turns in both directions to verify smooth steering operation without noise
• Check for any clunking sounds over bumps which could indicate loose fasteners or improper spring seating
• Verify steering returns to center properly after turns, indicating correct bearing installation
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment immediately after this repair, as strut work affects alignment settings and tire wear

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