This procedure replaces both front strut assemblies on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, including removal of strut tower mounting nuts and lower pinch bolts.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly - left × 1 — Ford FL3Z-18045-A or equivalent complete strut assembly
• Front strut assembly - right × 1 — Ford FL3Z-18045-B or equivalent complete strut assembly

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved front jacking point
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails behind front wheels - ensure stands are rated for vehicle weight
6. Remove front wheels completely and set aside
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut tower nuts, strut pinch bolt, and sway bar link nuts (if applicable for access). Allow 10-15 minutes soak time
8. Verify replacement struts match original assemblies in length, spring type, and mounting configuration before beginning disassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open hood and locate strut tower on passenger side. The strut tower is visible in the engine bay near the fender. You will see three mounting nuts (18mm) on top of the strut mount. Clean area around nuts with wire brush if corroded.
2. 2

   Remove sway bar link if needed for access
   On passenger side, assess if sway bar link interferes with strut removal. If clearance is tight, remove upper sway bar link nut (15mm) from strut bracket. Hold shaft with 6mm Allen key to prevent spinning. Note orientation of washers and bushings for reinstallation.
   ℹ️Driver side typically has more clearance and may not require sway bar link removal. Assess each side individually.
   Torque spec

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

   Support lower control arm
   Position floor jack under lower control arm near ball joint to support suspension weight. Raise jack just until it contacts control arm with light pressure - do NOT lift vehicle. This prevents suspension from dropping when strut is disconnected.
   ⚠Jack must remain in position throughout strut removal to control suspension movement and prevent brake line or ABS sensor damage from excessive droop.
4. 4

   Remove strut pinch bolt
   Locate pinch bolt (15mm) on lower portion of strut where it connects to steering knuckle. This is a through-bolt with nut on backside. Remove nut completely, then drive bolt out using punch or drift. The strut barrel fits into a slotted opening in the knuckle and is clamped by this pinch bolt.
   ⚠Pinch bolt may be seized in knuckle. Tap bolt gently from alternating sides to work it free. Do not use excessive force that could damage knuckle threads or slot.
5. 5

   Spread knuckle slot and separate strut
   The knuckle has a slot that clamps around strut barrel. Use pry bar or strut spreader tool to gently spread slot opening approximately 5-8mm. While spreading, pull strut shaft downward and rotate slightly to work it free from knuckle. May require gentle tapping on strut body to break corrosion bond.
   ⚠Do not over-spread knuckle slot or pry against painted/machined surfaces. Excessive force can crack cast aluminum knuckle.
6. 6

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   From engine bay, remove all three strut tower mounting nuts (18mm) from top of strut mount. Support strut assembly from below while removing final nut to prevent it from falling. Carefully lower and remove complete strut assembly from vehicle through wheel well opening.
   ⚠Strut assembly weighs approximately 20-25 lbs. Use care when removing to avoid dropping assembly or striking brake components, wheel speed sensors, or painted surfaces.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Inspect mounting points and components
   Inspect strut tower mounting surface for cracks or damage. Check knuckle pinch bolt hole and slot for cracks, thread damage, or elongation. Examine brake lines and ABS sensor wiring for wear or damage. Wire brush knuckle slot and pinch bolt hole to remove rust and debris.
   ⚠Any cracks in strut tower sheet metal or knuckle casting require professional repair before proceeding. Do not install new struts on damaged mounting points.
8. 8

   Install new strut assembly - passenger side
   Guide new strut assembly up through wheel well opening. Align three studs on top mount with holes in strut tower. Install all three strut tower nuts finger-tight. Ensure mount is properly seated and studs protrude sufficiently for nut engagement.
9. 9

   Connect strut to knuckle - passenger side
   Align strut barrel with knuckle slot. May need to use floor jack under control arm to raise/lower knuckle for alignment. Insert strut fully into knuckle slot - strut should slide in with minimal force once aligned. Install new pinch bolt from front, install nut on rear, and hand-tighten only at this stage.
   ℹ️Verify strut is fully seated in knuckle slot with slot gap evenly distributed around strut barrel before tightening pinch bolt.
10. 10

    Torque passenger side fasteners
    Working from top to bottom: First, torque three strut tower nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) in star pattern to ensure even seating. Then torque strut pinch bolt nut to 133 Nm (98 lb-ft). If sway bar link was removed, reinstall with bushings in original orientation and torque nut to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft) while holding shaft with Allen key.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)

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

    Repeat procedure for driver side
    Repeat steps 1-10 for driver side strut assembly. Access strut tower from driver side of engine bay. Same process applies: support control arm, remove pinch bolt, spread knuckle, remove tower nuts, install new strut, reconnect to knuckle, and torque all fasteners to specifications.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall front wheels, threading lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in star pattern with moderate force. Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands using floor jack, then remove stands. Lower vehicle completely to ground.
13. 13

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    With vehicle weight on wheels, torque all wheel lug nuts to 156 Nm (115 lb-ft) in star pattern. Make multiple passes, gradually increasing torque to final specification to ensure even seating.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification - strut tower nuts, pinch bolts, sway bar links, and wheel lug nuts
2. Verify no tools, parts, or hardware were left in wheel wells or engine bay
3. Check that brake lines and ABS sensor wiring are properly routed and not in contact with suspension components or tire
4. Confirm hood closes properly and does not contact strut towers

Verification

• With vehicle on level ground, bounce each front corner several times and verify struts dampen movement properly without excessive bouncing or noise
• Inspect strut tower area in engine bay for any movement or looseness in mounting nuts when bouncing suspension
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area - verify no clunking, rattling, or unusual noises from front suspension
• Check steering response and verify vehicle tracks straight with no pulling to either side
• Verify no warning lights illuminated on instrument cluster, particularly ABS or traction control lights
• Schedule professional wheel alignment within 50 miles of strut replacement to prevent premature tire wear and ensure proper handling characteristics

More procedures for this vehicle