This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear strut mount assembly on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including disconnecting the strut from the knuckle and upper mount.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut mount assembly × 1 — Motorcraft SW-7254 or equivalent
• Strut mount bearing (if separate from mount) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Upper strut mount hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Chock the front wheels securely on both sides
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle center or differential housing
5. Support vehicle on jack stands positioned under frame rails behind rear axle at factory lift points
6. Remove rear wheel completely
7. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes
8. Support rear axle with a floor jack positioned under the axle tube near the shock being serviced to control descent

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper shock mount in bed area
   From inside the truck bed, locate the upper shock mount access point. On F-150 models, this is typically accessible by removing a small plastic cap or cover on the bed floor near the rear wheel well. Remove the protective cap to expose the upper shock mounting nuts. There are typically 2-3 nuts securing the upper mount.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link if obstructing access
   If the sway bar link interferes with shock removal, disconnect it from the lower control arm or axle mounting point. Use a 15mm wrench to hold the stud while loosening the nut with another wrench. Complete removal is not always necessary; disconnecting one end may provide sufficient clearance.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove lower shock mounting bolt
   Locate the lower shock mounting bolt where the shock connects to the rear axle housing or lower mounting bracket. Use an 18mm socket and wrench to remove the bolt completely. Support the shock absorber as you remove this bolt to prevent it from falling. The shock may need to be compressed slightly or extended to align the bolt for removal.
4. 4

   Support shock and remove upper mounting nuts
   While supporting the shock absorber from below, use a 13mm socket to remove the upper shock mount nuts accessible from the truck bed. There are typically 2 or 3 nuts securing the upper mount. Keep track of any washers or bushings. Once all nuts are removed, carefully lower the shock assembly and remove it from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Inspect and remove old upper mount
   With the shock removed, inspect the upper mount for wear, cracking, or deterioration of rubber components. If only replacing the mount, the shock shaft nut must be removed. Use a wrench to hold the shock shaft (typically with flats or hex feature at the top) while removing the top nut. Remove the old mount, bearing plate, and any bushings. Note the order and orientation of all components for reassembly.
6. 6

   Install new upper shock mount
   Install the new upper shock mount onto the shock shaft in the reverse order of removal. Ensure all bushings, washers, and bearing plates are oriented correctly. The mount should sit flat and centered on the shock body. Thread the shock shaft nut and tighten securely, holding the shaft to prevent spinning. If a torque specification is provided with the new mount, follow manufacturer instructions.
7. 7

   Reinstall shock assembly to vehicle
   Position the shock assembly back into the mounting location. Guide the upper mount studs through the holes in the bed floor mounting point. Ensure proper alignment before installing hardware. Thread the upper mounting nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Support the shock from below during this process.
8. 8

   Install and torque upper shock mount nuts
   Install all upper shock mount nuts and tighten in a star or cross pattern to ensure even seating. Use a torque wrench to tighten to specification. The shock should be centered in the upper mount without binding or misalignment.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install lower shock mounting bolt
   Align the lower shock eye with the mounting bracket on the rear axle. You may need to use the floor jack to raise or lower the axle slightly to align the bolt holes. Insert the lower mounting bolt and install the nut. Hand tighten only at this stage if the vehicle is not at ride height.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link if removed
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it to the mounting point. Insert the stud through the mounting hole and install the nut. Hold the stud shaft with an Allen key or wrench to prevent spinning while tightening the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Carefully raise the vehicle slightly to remove the jack stands, then lower the vehicle completely so the full weight is on the suspension. This allows suspension components to settle to their normal ride height position.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Final torque with vehicle at ride height
    With the vehicle on the ground at normal ride height, torque the rear wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. If the lower shock bolt was not fully torqued earlier, raise the vehicle slightly on the jack (keeping weight on suspension), and torque the lower shock bolt to specification. Any control arm bolts disturbed should also be torqued at ride height.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts140 Nm (104 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification using a calibrated torque wrench
2. Verify the protective cap or cover is reinstalled over the upper shock mount in the bed area
3. Double-check that all suspension components are properly seated and aligned
4. Suspension components that attach to rubber bushings must be torqued at normal ride height to prevent premature bushing failure

Verification

• Bounce the rear of the vehicle several times and verify the shock absorber dampens motion properly without unusual noises
• Verify no rattling or clunking from the upper shock mount area when driving over bumps
• Check for any visible gaps or misalignment at the upper shock mount
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify normal handling and ride quality
• Listen for any unusual noises from the rear suspension during the test drive
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check torque on all suspension fasteners
• If the vehicle pulls to one side or exhibits unusual handling characteristics, have the alignment checked by a professional

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