This procedure covers the replacement of the front subframe bushings on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, requiring partial subframe lowering to access and replace worn rubber isolation bushings.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front subframe bushing kit (set of 4) × 1 — Use OEM specification or Moog K201731
• Ball joint cotter pins × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Anti-seize compound × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Center steering wheel and lock in place or mark position
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Lift front of vehicle and secure on jack stands placed at manufacturer frame rail support points
5. Remove both front wheels completely
6. Spray all subframe bolts, control arm bolts, and ball joint nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes
7. Photograph or mark subframe position relative to frame for reassembly reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect steering linkage and sway bar
   Disconnect the outer tie rod ends from both steering knuckles by removing the castle nuts and using a ball joint separator. Remove sway bar end link nuts from both sides while holding the shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning. Support the sway bar to prevent it from hanging on bushings.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove lower control arm ball joints
   Remove the cotter pins from both lower ball joint castle nuts. Remove the ball joint nuts completely. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to break the taper connection between the ball joint and steering knuckle. Do not strike the knuckle with excessive force to avoid damage.
   Torque spec

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

   Disconnect brake lines and ABS sensors
   Remove the brake line brackets from the subframe on both sides - do not disconnect brake lines from calipers. Disconnect ABS sensor wiring harness connectors and remove any wire routing clips attached to the subframe. Secure all lines and wiring away from subframe to prevent damage during lowering.
   ⚠Do not kink or over-bend brake lines - ensure adequate slack before lowering subframe
4. 4

   Support subframe with transmission jack
   Position a transmission jack or heavy-duty adjustable support stand under the center of the front subframe. Raise the jack until it just contacts the subframe and provides light support. Place a block of wood between the jack and subframe to distribute load and prevent metal-to-metal damage. Ensure jack is centered and stable.
   ⚠️Subframe weighs approximately 150-200 lbs with components attached - ensure adequate support capacity and stability
5. 5

   Loosen subframe mounting bolts
   Locate all four subframe-to-frame mounting bolts (two front, two rear). Loosen each bolt approximately 3-4 turns but do not remove completely. Work in a cross pattern (front left, rear right, front right, rear left) to maintain even support. The bolts are 18mm and may require significant force to break loose.
   ⚠Do not remove bolts completely in this step - only loosen to prepare for controlled lowering
6. 6

   Lower subframe for bushing access
   Slowly and evenly lower the transmission jack approximately 2-3 inches, monitoring all four corners of the subframe to ensure it lowers evenly. As the subframe lowers on the loosened bolts, the bushings will become accessible. Lower only enough to access the bushings - do not lower more than 4 inches total. Check that no wiring, hoses, or lines are under tension.
   ⚠️Monitor brake lines, steering components, and all hoses during lowering - stop immediately if any component shows excessive tension
7. 7

   Remove old subframe bushings - front
   With subframe lowered, access the front subframe bushings. The bushings are press-fit into the subframe mounting points. Use a bushing press or hydraulic press with appropriate adapters to press out the old front bushings from both front mounting locations. Note the orientation and depth of original bushing installation for reference during installation.
   ℹ️Old bushings may be severely deteriorated - use caution as rubber may separate from metal sleeve during removal
8. 8

   Remove old subframe bushings - rear
   Access the rear subframe bushings at the rear mounting points. Press out the old rear bushings using the same method as the front bushings. Clean all bushing bores thoroughly with a wire brush to remove any rubber residue, corrosion, or debris. Inspect mounting areas for cracks or damage.
   ⚠Inspect subframe mounting areas for cracks or elongated bolt holes - any damage requires subframe replacement
9. 9

   Install new subframe bushings
   Apply a light coat of soapy water or bushing lubricant (never petroleum-based grease) to the outer diameter of new bushings to ease installation. Using a bushing press with proper adapters, press new bushings squarely into all four subframe mounting locations. Ensure bushings are fully seated to the same depth as originals and properly oriented with any directional markings aligned per manufacturer specifications.
   ⚠Press bushings straight and evenly - cocked bushings will cause premature failure and handling issues
10. 10

    Raise and align subframe
    Using the transmission jack, slowly and evenly raise the subframe back to its original position. Reference the alignment marks or photos taken during disassembly. Align the subframe mounting bolt holes with the frame mounting points. Thread all four subframe bolts by hand to ensure proper alignment before tightening any bolts.
    ℹ️Subframe must be centered precisely - misalignment will cause steering pull and uneven tire wear
11. 11

    Torque subframe mounting bolts
    Tighten all four subframe mounting bolts in a cross pattern to ensure even seating. While the torque specification for these critical bolts is not provided in the database, tighten to Ford's specified torque using a calibrated torque wrench. Verify all bolts are fully seated and properly torqued. Remove the transmission jack once bolts are secured.
12. 12

    Reconnect lower control arms and ball joints
    Reconnect the lower control arm ball joints to the steering knuckles. Install ball joint nuts and torque to specification. Install new cotter pins through the castle nuts and bend to secure. Ensure ball joint tapers are fully seated in the knuckle before torquing.
    ⚠Always use new cotter pins - never reuse old cotter pins on safety-critical ball joints
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut101 Nm (75 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar links and steering components
    Reconnect sway bar end links to both sides of the sway bar. Hold the shaft with an Allen key while torquing the nuts to specification. Reconnect outer tie rod ends to steering knuckles and torque properly. Reattach all brake line brackets and ABS sensor connectors to the subframe.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both front wheels, threading lug nuts by hand initially. Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification while vehicle is still on jack stands. Lower vehicle carefully to the ground and remove jack stands. With vehicle weight on wheels, perform final lug nut torque verification.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly subframe bolts and ball joint nuts
2. Ensure all brake line brackets and ABS sensor connectors are properly secured
3. Verify steering wheel returns to center position and steering operates normally
4. Check that all tools and parts have been removed from under vehicle
5. Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area to verify no unusual noises or handling issues before returning to service

Verification

• Start engine and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or unusual noises
• Perform a test drive at low speeds, checking for proper steering response and absence of clunking noises over bumps
• Verify no new vibrations are present during acceleration or braking
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment within 50 miles of completion to ensure proper suspension geometry
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque all subframe mounting bolts and ball joint nuts to verify no settling has occurred
• Visually inspect for any fluid leaks around brake lines or power steering components that may have been disturbed

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