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

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear lower control arm × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification or equivalent
• Control arm bushing kit (if not included with arm) × 1 — Check if replacement arm includes bushings

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level concrete surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under frame rails
4. Remove rear wheel on side being serviced
5. Spray penetrating oil on control arm bolts and ball joint nut, allow to soak 10-15 minutes
6. Place floor jack under rear axle housing to support weight and control descent

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle housing near the control arm being replaced. Raise jack until it just makes contact and slightly supports the axle weight. This prevents the axle from dropping excessively when the control arm is disconnected.
2. 2

   Remove ball joint nut
   Locate the ball joint connection where the lower control arm meets the axle housing. Using an 18mm socket, remove the ball joint nut completely. Keep the nut if reusing the control arm, otherwise discard. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from axle
   Use a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork to separate the ball joint stud from the axle housing mounting point. Insert the tool between the control arm and axle mount, then strike with a hammer or tighten the screw-type separator until the taper releases. The axle may drop slightly when separated; the floor jack will control this movement.
   ⚠Keep hands and feet clear when ball joint releases as the axle will shift suddenly.
4. 4

   Remove front control arm bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the forward frame bracket. Using a 21mm socket and breaker bar, remove the bolt completely. The bolt passes through the control arm bushing. Note the orientation and any alignment shims or washers for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove rear control arm bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the rear frame bracket. Using a 21mm socket and breaker bar, remove this bolt completely. The control arm should now be free and can be removed from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove control arm
   Pull the lower control arm away from the mounting points and remove it from the vehicle. Inspect the frame mounting brackets for damage, excessive rust, or deformation. Clean mounting surfaces with a wire brush to remove rust and debris.
7. 7

   Prepare new control arm
   Compare the new control arm to the old one to verify correct part. Check that bushings are properly seated in the control arm. If bushings are separate, press them into the control arm according to bushing manufacturer instructions before installation.
8. 8

   Install new control arm to frame
   Position the new control arm into the frame brackets. Insert the front mounting bolt through the forward bracket and control arm bushing, threading it in by hand. Then insert the rear mounting bolt through the rear bracket and control arm bushing. Thread both bolts in by hand but do NOT torque them at this time. Leave them finger-tight only.
   ⚠Control arm bolts must remain loose until vehicle weight is on the suspension to avoid bushing bind and premature failure.
9. 9

   Connect ball joint to axle
   Use the floor jack to raise the axle housing until the ball joint stud aligns with the hole in the axle mount. Insert the ball joint stud through the axle mount. Install the ball joint nut and thread it on by hand until it seats against the axle housing.
10. 10

    Torque ball joint nut
    Using an 18mm socket and torque wrench, torque the ball joint nut to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft). Ensure the ball joint stud does not spin while torquing. If a cotter pin hole is present, align the nut with the hole and install a new cotter pin.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the rear wheel back onto the hub. Install all lug nuts and tighten by hand in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but the vehicle weight is still primarily on the jack stands.
12. 12

    Torque lug nuts partially
    With the wheel touching the ground, torque the lug nuts to approximately 80 Nm in a star pattern to secure the wheel. This is a preliminary torque only.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Lower vehicle to ground
    Completely lower the vehicle so full vehicle weight is resting on all four tires. Remove jack stands and floor jack from under the vehicle. The suspension is now at normal ride height with weight on the wheels.
14. 14

    Torque control arm bolts with vehicle weight on suspension
    With the vehicle on the ground at normal ride height, use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to torque both control arm mounting bolts (front and rear) to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft). This critical step must be done with vehicle weight on the suspension to properly load the bushings in their operating position.
    ⚠Torquing control arm bolts with suspension unloaded will twist bushings and cause premature failure within a few thousand miles.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final torque lug nuts
    Torque all wheel lug nuts to final specification of 169 Nm (125 lb-ft) in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is detailed in the steps above
2. Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension
3. Recheck all fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or unusual noises from rear suspension
• Verify control arm ball joint and mounting bolts are secure with no movement
• Schedule four-wheel alignment as rear suspension geometry has been altered
• After first 50-100 miles, recheck torque on control arm bolts and ball joint nut

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