This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear leaf spring shackles on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 RWD, which connect the rear of the leaf spring to the frame.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Leaf spring shackle assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Shackle bolt kit (bolts and nuts) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Shackle bushings × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. If shackle bolts appear corroded, spray with penetrating oil and allow to soak
4. Gather all tools and parts before beginning work

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts on the side being serviced while vehicle is on the ground. Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the rear axle differential. Place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. Remove the wheel completely.
2. 2

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle near the leaf spring being serviced. Raise jack until it just contacts the axle with minimal pressure. This prevents the axle from dropping and changing spring tension when the shackle is removed. Do not lift the axle, only support it.
   ⚠The jack must remain in position throughout the entire shackle removal and installation process.
3. 3

   Remove lower shackle bolt
   Locate the lower shackle bolt that connects the shackle to the rear eye of the leaf spring. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, hold the nut while loosening the bolt head. Remove the bolt completely and set aside (these bolts should be replaced with new hardware).
   ℹ️If the bolt spins with the nut, the bushing may be seized. Apply additional penetrating oil and use a pry bar to create separation.
4. 4

   Remove upper shackle bolt
   Locate the upper shackle bolt that connects the shackle to the frame bracket. Using an 18mm socket and wrench, hold the nut while loosening the bolt head. Remove the bolt completely. The shackle assembly should now be free to remove.
5. 5

   Remove shackle assembly
   Pull the shackle assembly away from the leaf spring and frame. Inspect the shackle for cracks, severe corrosion, or deformation. Remove the old bushings from the shackle eyes if they did not come out with the bolts. Note the orientation of the shackle for proper reinstallation.
6. 6

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the leaf spring eye and frame bracket mounting surfaces. Remove all rust, dirt, and old bushing material. Clean the bolt holes in the frame bracket thoroughly. Inspect the leaf spring eye for cracks or damage.
7. 7

   Install new bushings
   Install new bushings into both eyes of the new or cleaned shackle assembly. Ensure bushings are fully seated and oriented correctly. Apply a thin coat of silicone grease to the bushing outer surfaces to ease installation and prevent squeaking.
8. 8

   Position new shackle
   Position the new shackle assembly between the leaf spring rear eye and the frame bracket. Align the shackle so that it has the same orientation as the original. The shackle should hang vertically or at the same angle as observed during removal.
9. 9

   Install upper shackle bolt
   Insert the new upper shackle bolt through the frame bracket and shackle. Start the nut on the bolt threads by hand. Do not fully tighten at this time. Ensure the bolt passes cleanly through the bushing without binding.
10. 10

    Install lower shackle bolt
    Insert the new lower shackle bolt through the shackle and leaf spring rear eye. Start the nut on the bolt threads by hand. Do not fully tighten at this time. Verify that the shackle can pivot freely and is not binding.
11. 11

    Torque shackle bolts
    With the vehicle weight still supported on jack stands and the axle supported by the floor jack, torque both shackle bolts. Ford specifies torquing leaf spring shackle bolts to 111 Nm (82 lb-ft). Torque the upper bolt first, then the lower bolt. Hold the nut with a wrench while torquing the bolt head.
    ℹ️Shackle bolts should be torqued with the suspension at normal ride height for proper bushing alignment. Some technicians prefer to torque after lowering the vehicle.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel back onto the hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to the specified torque value.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Lower vehicle
    Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to remove the jack stands. Carefully lower the vehicle completely to the ground. Remove the floor jack from under the axle. Rock the vehicle side to side to settle the suspension.

Reassembly

1. Some manufacturers recommend re-torquing shackle bolts after 50-100 miles of driving to account for bushing settling
2. If both sides require shackle replacement, repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side
3. Inspect all suspension components while access is available, including leaf spring condition, U-bolts, and shock absorbers

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle and listen for any unusual noises from the rear suspension, particularly squeaking or clunking
• Verify the rear of the vehicle sits at the correct ride height with no sagging
• Visually inspect the installed shackles to confirm they hang at the correct angle and match the opposite side
• Check that there is no binding in the shackle pivot points during suspension travel
• After 50-100 miles, re-inspect shackle bolt torque and re-torque if necessary

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