This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear coil springs on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, requiring safe lifting and spring compression.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring (left or right as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent aftermarket
• Coil spring insulator (lower) × 1 — Recommended replacement
• Coil spring insulator (upper) × 1 — Recommended replacement

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on a solid, level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground (do not remove)
4. Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the rear differential or frame jack points
5. Install jack stands under the frame rails behind the rear axle - ensure stands are rated for at least 3 tons each
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability by gently pushing on the vehicle from multiple angles
7. Remove the loosened rear wheel and tire completely
8. Spray penetrating oil on shock absorber mounting bolts and sway bar link nuts if present, allow to soak 10-15 minutes
9. Inspect the coil spring compressor to ensure threads are clean and mechanisms operate smoothly

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle housing near the side you are working on (approximately 6-8 inches inboard from the shock absorber). Raise the jack until it just contacts the axle and takes minimal load - the axle should still be resting primarily on the jack stands. This prevents the axle from dropping suddenly when components are disconnected.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link if equipped
   If the vehicle is equipped with a rear sway bar, locate the sway bar end link connecting to the axle on the side being serviced. Use a 15mm wrench to hold the link shaft and remove the lower retaining nut with another wrench. Disconnect the link from the axle bracket. This provides additional clearance for spring removal.
   ℹ️Not all F-150 configurations have rear sway bars. If no sway bar is present, skip this step.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove lower shock absorber bolt
   Locate the lower shock absorber mounting bolt that connects the shock to the axle bracket. Using an 18mm socket and ratchet, remove the lower shock mounting bolt and nut completely. Guide the shock absorber upward out of the way and secure it with wire or a bungee cord to prevent it from hanging on the brake line.
   ⚠Do not allow the shock absorber to hang freely as it may stress brake lines or ABS wiring.
4. 4

   Lower the axle to release spring tension
   Very slowly and carefully lower the floor jack supporting the rear axle. Watch the coil spring as the axle descends - it will begin to separate from the upper spring seat. Lower the axle approximately 4-6 inches until there is visible gap between the spring and upper mount, but the spring remains partially compressed by the weight of the axle. Stop lowering when you can access the spring.
   ⚠️Lower the jack very slowly. The spring will still be under significant compression. Do not lower the axle so far that suspension components or brake lines become over-extended or damaged.
5. 5

   Install spring compressor
   Install the external coil spring compressor onto the coil spring according to the tool manufacturer's instructions. Ensure the compressor hooks engage at least 2-3 full coils and are positioned opposite each other (180 degrees apart) on the spring. The hooks must be fully seated in the coil valleys, not resting on the coil peaks. Double-check that all pins and locking mechanisms are properly engaged.
   ⚠️Improperly installed spring compressors can slip and release suddenly. Verify hook engagement before proceeding. Use only spring compressors rated for the load and size of F-150 coil springs.
6. 6

   Compress the spring
   Using the spring compressor, slowly and evenly compress the spring. Alternate tightening each side of the compressor a few turns at a time to maintain even compression. Continue compressing until the spring is fully unloaded from both the upper and lower spring seats - you should be able to move the spring slightly by hand. This typically requires 2-4 inches of compression beyond its current state.
   ⚠️Compress the spring evenly. Uneven compression can cause the spring to cock sideways and slip out of the compressor. Stop immediately if you hear cracking, popping, or see the compressor shifting position.
   ⚠Keep your body clear of the spring's potential release path during compression. Stand to the side, never directly in line with the ends of the spring.
7. 7

   Remove the compressed spring assembly
   With the spring fully compressed and unloaded, carefully maneuver it out from between the upper spring seat (on the frame) and lower spring seat (on the axle). You may need to lower the axle slightly more or use a pry bar to create additional clearance. Guide the spring assembly outward and away from the vehicle. Remove the upper and lower spring insulators from the old spring and inspect them for damage.
   ⚠️The spring remains under significant compression even when removed from the vehicle. Handle with extreme care and never place your face or body near the ends of the compressed spring.
8. 8

   Inspect and clean spring seats
   With the spring removed, inspect both the upper spring seat on the frame and the lower spring seat on the axle for rust, damage, or debris. Use a wire brush to clean both seats thoroughly. Check for cracks or deformation that could affect spring seating. Verify that spring seat retaining hardware is intact.
9. 9

   Prepare new spring
   Install new upper and lower spring insulators onto the new coil spring in their correct orientation. The insulators are directional - ensure they match the position on the old spring. Install the spring compressor onto the new spring using the same procedure as removal, ensuring hooks are properly seated. Compress the new spring to approximately the same compressed length as the old spring was when removed.
   ⚠New springs may require more compression force than old springs. Ensure your spring compressor is adequate for new spring rates.
10. 10

    Install new spring assembly
    Carefully maneuver the compressed new spring into position between the upper frame spring seat and lower axle spring seat. Align the spring end with the registration tab or positioning feature on the lower spring seat. Ensure the upper insulator is properly positioned in the upper spring seat. The spring should sit in the correct rotational orientation with any paint marks or tabs aligned with their corresponding seats.
    ⚠Proper spring orientation is critical for correct suspension geometry and ride quality. Verify alignment before releasing compression.
11. 11

    Release spring compression
    Slowly and evenly release the spring compressor by loosening both sides alternately, a few turns at a time. As you release compression, verify that the spring is seating properly in both upper and lower spring seats. Continue releasing until the spring is fully seated and supporting its natural load. Once the spring is fully seated and the compressor is completely unloaded, carefully remove the compressor from the spring.
    ⚠️If the spring begins to slip or misalign during release, immediately stop and re-compress to reposition. Never force a spring into position.
    ⚠Keep hands and tools clear of the spring ends as compression is released. The spring will expand with considerable force.
12. 12

    Raise axle and reconnect shock absorber
    Use the floor jack to slowly raise the rear axle back to its normal ride height position. As you raise the axle, guide the shock absorber back into alignment with its lower mounting bracket. Once aligned, install the lower shock mounting bolt and nut. Do not fully torque at this time - snug the fastener but leave it slightly loose for final torquing later.
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar link if equipped
    If a rear sway bar is present, reconnect the sway bar end link to the axle bracket. Install the lower retaining nut and torque to specification while holding the link shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and tire
    Position the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Using a 19mm socket, tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until snug but do not torque fully yet. The vehicle must be lowered to the ground before final torquing.
15. 15

    Lower vehicle and perform final torquing
    Carefully raise the vehicle slightly using the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the wheel lug nuts to specification using a star pattern. Torque the lower shock absorber mounting fastener to the appropriate specification. If the torque specification is not available in the provided database, consult a service manual - typical values for F-150 rear shock bolts are 110-135 Nm.
    ℹ️Suspension fasteners must be torqued at normal ride height for proper clamping load and bushing life.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. If replacing both rear springs, repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side
2. After completing both sides, verify that the vehicle sits level when viewed from behind
3. Check that no tools, parts, or spring compressor components were left under the vehicle
4. Verify all suspension fasteners are properly torqued with the vehicle at ride height

Verification

• Visually inspect both rear springs to confirm they are fully seated in upper and lower spring seats with no gaps
• Bounce each rear corner of the vehicle several times and verify the suspension returns smoothly without binding or unusual noises
• Measure ride height from the ground to a fixed point on the frame on both sides - measurements should be within 10mm of each other
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area, listening for any clunking, rattling, or abnormal suspension noises
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check torque on all suspension fasteners that were disturbed during the repair
• If the vehicle had a significant ride height change, consider having the rear axle alignment checked for proper thrust angle

More procedures for this vehicle