This procedure covers the replacement of the rear leaf spring shackle on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 4WD with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Leaf spring shackle assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Shackle bolts and nuts × 1 — Typically included with shackle assembly
• Shackle bushings × 1 — Typically included with shackle assembly

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Spray penetrating lubricant on all shackle bolt threads and allow to soak
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle differential housing
6. Place jack stands under frame rails just forward of rear axle
7. Lower vehicle onto jack stands while keeping floor jack under axle with slight upward pressure to control suspension position

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wheel
   Remove the wheel lug nuts completely and remove the rear wheel on the side being serviced. This provides better access to the shackle area.
2. 2

   Support leaf spring
   Position the floor jack directly under the rear axle tube near the leaf spring being serviced. Apply just enough upward pressure to support the leaf spring and take load off the shackle. The spring should not be compressed, just supported to prevent sudden dropping when shackle is removed.
   ⚠Do not over-compress the leaf spring with the jack. Apply only enough pressure to support the weight of the axle and prevent the spring from dropping.
3. 3

   Remove upper shackle bolt
   Locate the upper shackle bolt that connects the shackle to the frame-mounted bracket. Use an 18mm wrench to hold the nut and an 18mm socket with breaker bar to loosen the bolt. Remove the bolt completely. The shackle will remain supported by the lower bolt.
   ℹ️These bolts can be extremely tight and may require significant force. Ensure proper footing and hand position before applying force.
4. 4

   Remove lower shackle bolt
   Locate the lower shackle bolt that connects the shackle to the rear eye of the leaf spring. Use an 18mm wrench to hold the nut and an 18mm socket with breaker bar to loosen the bolt. As you remove this bolt, support the shackle to prevent it from falling. Remove the bolt completely and remove the shackle assembly.
5. 5

   Inspect mounting points
   Clean the frame mounting bracket and leaf spring eye with a wire brush. Inspect the frame bracket for cracks, damage, or excessive rust. Check the leaf spring eye for cracks or elongation of the bolt hole. Replace any damaged components before proceeding.
6. 6

   Prepare new shackle
   Remove new shackle from packaging and verify it includes bushings pre-installed or separate. If bushings are separate, press or drive them into the shackle eyes until fully seated. Apply a light coating of multi-purpose grease to the bushing inner surfaces and bolt contact areas.
7. 7

   Install new shackle to frame
   Position the new shackle to the frame-mounted bracket. Insert the upper shackle bolt through the frame bracket and shackle. Thread the nut onto the bolt but do not tighten fully yet. Leave the connection loose enough for the shackle to pivot.
8. 8

   Connect shackle to leaf spring
   Align the lower end of the shackle with the rear eye of the leaf spring. You may need to use the floor jack to raise or lower the axle slightly to align the holes. Insert the lower shackle bolt through the shackle and spring eye. Thread the nut onto the bolt but do not tighten yet.
9. 9

   Position vehicle at ride height
   Carefully raise the floor jack under the axle to bring the suspension to normal ride height position. The leaf spring should be in its natural loaded position as if the vehicle were sitting on the ground. This is critical for proper bolt torquing to prevent bushing bind.
   ℹ️Shackle bolts must be torqued with suspension at ride height to prevent premature bushing wear. Do not torque with suspension hanging or fully compressed.
10. 10

    Torque shackle bolts
    With the suspension at ride height, torque both the upper and lower shackle bolts. Use an 18mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the bolts to 85 lb-ft (115 Nm). Hold the nut with an 18mm wrench while torquing the bolt head. Torque both bolts to specification.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the rear wheel back onto the hub. Install all lug nuts and tighten by hand. Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Lower vehicle
    Remove the floor jack from under the axle. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly using the jack at the frame to remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground.

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are tightened to specification
2. Check that the shackle moves freely without binding through its normal range of motion
3. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if both shackles are being replaced

Verification

• Visually inspect the installed shackle to ensure it is properly aligned and all bolts are secure
• Bounce the rear of the truck to verify the suspension operates normally without binding or unusual noises
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify normal handling and no unusual sounds from the rear suspension
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check shackle bolt torque to ensure fasteners have not loosened

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