This procedure covers the removal and replacement of both front struts on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 4WD, including disconnection of steering components and brake lines.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly (complete) × 2 — Motorcraft or equivalent complete strut
• Strut tower mounting nuts × 6 — Use OEM specification
• Sway bar link (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock rear wheels securely
3. Apply penetrating oil to strut tower nuts, strut-to-knuckle bolts, and sway bar link nuts
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved jacking points
6. Support vehicle with jack stands under frame rails rated for at least 3 tons each side
7. Remove front wheels completely
8. Mark position of strut-to-knuckle bolts with paint pen for approximate alignment reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood. Locate the three strut tower mounting nuts at the top of each strut tower in the engine bay. These are visible through the strut tower access. Clean area around nuts with wire brush to prevent debris from falling into strut tower during removal.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the strut. Hold the shaft of the link with an Allen key to prevent rotation. Remove the upper nut connecting the link to the strut. If the ball stud spins, use penetrating oil and allow to soak, or carefully cut the nut off. Allow the link to hang from the sway bar.
   ⚠If ball stud spins and cannot be held, the link must be replaced. Plan for replacement parts.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect brake line bracket from strut
   Locate the brake line bracket bolted to the strut body. Remove the bracket mounting bolt and carefully position the brake line away from the strut. Use a piece of wire or zip tie to support the brake line to prevent strain on the hose. Do not allow the caliper or brake line to hang unsupported by its hose.
4. 4

   Support lower control arm
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm, near the ball joint. Raise jack until it just contacts the control arm with light pressure. This supports the suspension during strut removal and prevents the control arm from dropping when the strut is removed. Keep jack in place throughout strut removal.
   ⚠The jack must support the control arm but not lift the vehicle. Adjust carefully.
5. 5

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two large bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are horizontally-oriented pinch bolts. Remove both nuts and drive the bolts out using a hammer and punch if necessary. Note the orientation of the bolts for reassembly. Pry the knuckle clamp open slightly if needed to free the strut.
   ⚠These bolts are tight and may be corroded. Use penetrating oil and allow adequate soak time.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts144 Nm (106 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   From the engine bay, remove the three nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Use a wrench or socket while preventing the strut shaft from spinning. Hold the strut from below as you remove the final nut to prevent it from falling.
   ⚠Support the strut from below before removing the final nut. The strut assembly is heavy and will drop.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove strut assembly
   Carefully lower and angle the strut assembly out through the wheel well. You may need to rotate or angle it to clear the control arm and knuckle. Place the old strut on a stable work surface for comparison with new part or for transfer of components if not using complete assemblies.
8. 8

   Transfer components if necessary
   If installing bare struts rather than complete assemblies, you must transfer the spring and upper mount from the old strut. Use a proper coil spring compressor to compress the spring on the old strut. Remove the top shaft nut, upper mount, spring, and other components. Transfer to new strut in reverse order. If installing complete assemblies, skip to next step.
   ⚠️Spring compressor MUST be used correctly per tool manufacturer instructions. Compressed springs can cause severe injury or death if released unexpectedly. Consider using complete strut assemblies to avoid this dangerous step.
9. 9

   Install new strut assembly
   Guide the new strut assembly into position through the wheel well. Align the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Install the three upper mounting nuts hand-tight first, then torque to specification. Do not allow the strut shaft to rotate while tightening nuts.
   Torque spec

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

    Connect strut to steering knuckle
    Raise the floor jack under the control arm slightly to align the strut with the steering knuckle. Insert the strut into the knuckle clamp, aligning with your reference marks. Install both strut-to-knuckle bolts in their original orientation. Install nuts and torque to specification. Verify the knuckle is fully seated on the strut.
    ⚠Ensure the strut is fully seated in the knuckle clamp before tightening bolts. Misalignment can cause handling issues.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts144 Nm (106 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reattach brake line bracket
    Position the brake line bracket back onto the strut and install the mounting bolt. Ensure the brake line is properly routed and not kinked, twisted, or under tension. Remove any temporary support wire or zip ties.
12. 12

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Align the sway bar link to the strut mounting point. Install the nut onto the upper ball stud. Hold the shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation and torque the nut to specification. Verify the link moves freely without binding.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-12 for the opposite front strut. Maintain the floor jack support under each control arm until that side's strut is fully installed. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification on both sides.
14. 14

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Install front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to the ground. With vehicle weight on wheels, final torque all lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all fasteners have been installed and torqued to specification
2. Verify brake lines are properly secured and not kinked or damaged
3. Check that no tools or parts were left in the engine bay or wheel wells
4. Verify strut tower nuts are tight and strut shaft is not rotating

Verification

• Test drive vehicle in a safe area at low speed to verify proper operation and listen for unusual noises
• Check for any clunking, rattling, or abnormal sounds from the front suspension
• Verify steering returns to center properly and vehicle tracks straight
• MANDATORY: Schedule professional wheel alignment immediately. This job affects camber, caster, and toe settings
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque all strut mounting fasteners to specification
• Inspect brake line routing and brackets after initial test drive to ensure nothing has shifted

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