This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front lower control arm bushings on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine and 4WD.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm bushing kit (contains both bushings per arm) × 1 — Moog K200842 or equivalent
• Cotter pin for ball joint × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands positioned on frame rails
4. Remove front wheels completely
5. Spray all control arm bolts, ball joint nut, and sway bar link hardware with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 15-20 minutes
6. Verify which side requires bushing replacement and gather all tools within reach

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link from lower control arm
   Locate the sway bar link connection at the lower control arm. Use an Allen key to hold the shaft of the link while loosening the nut with a 18mm wrench or socket. Remove the nut completely and separate the link from the control arm. Let the link hang from the sway bar.
2. 2

   Support lower control arm with floor jack
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm with a block of wood between the jack and arm to distribute load. Raise the jack just enough to slightly compress the suspension and take load off the ball joint. This prevents the arm from dropping suddenly when the ball joint is separated.
   ⚠Do not raise vehicle off jack stands. Only compress suspension enough to unload ball joint, approximately 1-2 inches of jack travel.
3. 3

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and nut
   Locate the lower ball joint at the steering knuckle. Straighten and remove the cotter pin using pliers. Discard the old cotter pin. Using a 21mm socket, remove the ball joint nut completely. Keep nut for reference but plan to inspect threads before reuse.
4. 4

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Insert a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork between the lower control arm and steering knuckle at the ball joint taper. Strike the tool with a hammer to break the taper fit. The ball joint stud should pop free from the knuckle. If using a pickle fork, expect to replace the ball joint boot. Once separated, carefully lower the floor jack to allow the control arm to drop and relieve spring pressure.
   ⚠Ball joint may release suddenly. Control the separation and keep hands clear of pinch points between control arm and knuckle.
5. 5

   Remove front control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the front control arm mounting bolt that attaches to the crossmember. This is typically the longer bolt toward the front of the vehicle. Using a 21mm socket and breaker bar, remove the bolt completely. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers for reinstallation.
6. 6

   Remove rear control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the rear control arm mounting bolt at the frame bracket. Using a 21mm socket and breaker bar, remove this bolt completely. The control arm should now be free. Remove the control arm from the vehicle and place on a clean work surface.
7. 7

   Remove old bushings from control arm
   Using a hydraulic press or control arm bushing press kit, press out the old bushings from the control arm. Position the control arm in the press with proper support on the arm body, not on the edges where bushings sit. Press from the center of the bushing outward. Note the orientation of the old bushings before removal, particularly any offset or directional features. Clean the bushing bores thoroughly with a wire brush and inspect for damage or cracks.
   ⚠Ensure control arm is properly supported in press to prevent arm distortion. Do not support on thin edges of bushing mounting area.
8. 8

   Install new bushings into control arm
   Apply a light coating of soapy water or bushing installation lubricant to the outer surface of the new bushings and the inside of the control arm bores. Position the first bushing squarely at the bore opening, ensuring proper orientation if bushings are directional. Using the press and appropriate adapters, press the bushing straight into the bore until fully seated and flush with the control arm. Repeat for the second bushing. Verify both bushings are fully seated and oriented correctly.
9. 9

   Install control arm to frame mounts
   Position the control arm back into the vehicle with new bushings installed. Align the front mounting point first and insert the front bolt hand-tight. Then align the rear mounting point and insert the rear bolt hand-tight. Do NOT torque these bolts yet - they must be torqued with vehicle weight on the suspension.
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to steering knuckle
    Use the floor jack to raise the lower control arm up to the steering knuckle. Align the ball joint stud with the hole in the knuckle and push the stud through. Install the ball joint nut and tighten to specification using a 21mm socket and torque wrench. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud, then bend the ends to secure.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Raise or position the sway bar link to align with the mounting point on the lower control arm. Insert the link stud through the control arm and install the nut. Hold the link shaft with an Allen key and torque the nut to specification using an 18mm wrench or socket and torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until snug but do not torque yet. Lower the vehicle carefully from the jack stands until the full weight of the vehicle is resting on the suspension. The suspension should be at normal ride height.
13. 13

    Torque control arm bolts at ride height
    With the vehicle weight fully on the suspension at normal ride height, torque the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification using a 21mm socket and torque wrench. This is critical - torquing these bolts with the suspension hanging will cause premature bushing failure.
    ⚠Control arm bolts MUST be torqued at ride height with vehicle weight on wheels. Failure to do so will cause bushings to bind and fail prematurely.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    Using a torque wrench and 21mm socket, torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Make at least two complete passes to ensure even torque distribution.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if both control arms require bushing replacement
2. Double-check all fasteners are properly torqued, especially control arm bolts which must be torqued at ride height
3. Verify new cotter pin is properly installed and bent on ball joint nut

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or unusual noises from front suspension
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all fasteners are tight and properly installed
• Schedule a front-end alignment within the next few days, as control arm removal will affect alignment settings
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving

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