This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear Panhard bar (track bar) on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, which laterally locates the rear axle.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Panhard bar/track bar assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent aftermarket
• Panhard bar mounting bolts (if corroded) × 2 — M12 x 1.75 bolt kit

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. If bolts appear corroded, spray mounting points with penetrating oil and allow 15-30 minutes soak time
4. Gather all tools and the replacement Panhard bar before beginning work

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground. Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the rear differential pumpkin. Once raised to working height, place jack stands under the frame rails just forward of the rear axle. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands while keeping the floor jack in place under the differential with slight upward pressure to stabilize the axle.
2. 2

   Remove rear wheels
   Finish removing the lug nuts and remove both rear wheels. This provides better access to the Panhard bar mounting points and allows for inspection of related suspension components.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Locate Panhard bar
   The Panhard bar runs laterally across the rear axle from the frame rail on the driver side to a bracket on the passenger side of the rear axle housing. Identify both mounting points: the frame-side mount (driver side) and the axle-side mount (passenger side). Inspect the bushings at both ends for wear or damage.
4. 4

   Support rear axle
   Position the floor jack directly under the center of the rear differential to support the axle weight. Apply slight upward pressure to keep the axle centered and prevent it from shifting when the Panhard bar is removed. This is critical for maintaining alignment during reinstallation.
5. 5

   Remove frame-side mounting bolt
   Locate the Panhard bar mounting bolt on the driver side frame rail. Use an 18mm socket and wrench to remove the bolt and nut. The bolt passes through the frame bracket and the Panhard bar bushing. You may need to use a breaker bar if the fastener is seized. Support the Panhard bar to prevent it from falling once the bolt is removed.
   ⚠Do not allow the Panhard bar to hang by one end as this can damage the remaining bushing or cause the axle to shift suddenly.
6. 6

   Remove axle-side mounting bolt
   Move to the passenger side and locate the Panhard bar mounting bolt on the axle bracket. Use an 18mm socket and wrench to remove this bolt and nut. Once removed, carefully lower the Panhard bar away from the vehicle. The rear axle may shift slightly to one side; this is normal but monitor the jack position.
7. 7

   Inspect mounting points
   With the Panhard bar removed, inspect both the frame-side and axle-side mounting brackets for cracks, elongated bolt holes, or rust damage. Clean the mounting surfaces with a wire brush. If the original bolts show significant corrosion or thread damage, replace them with new hardware.
8. 8

   Position new Panhard bar
   Verify the new Panhard bar matches the orientation of the old unit. Position the replacement Panhard bar into place, aligning it with the frame bracket on the driver side first. You may need to use the floor jack to slightly adjust the axle position to align the mounting holes. A second person or pry bar can help align the holes.
9. 9

   Install frame-side mounting bolt
   Insert the mounting bolt through the frame bracket and Panhard bar bushing on the driver side. Thread the nut onto the bolt but do not fully tighten yet. Leave it finger-tight plus a few turns to allow for final alignment adjustment.
10. 10

    Install axle-side mounting bolt
    Move to the passenger side and install the mounting bolt through the axle bracket and Panhard bar bushing. Thread the nut onto the bolt and leave it finger-tight. Use the floor jack to make minor axle position adjustments if needed to ensure both bolts are properly seated without binding.
11. 11

    Torque mounting bolts
    Using a torque wrench and 18mm socket, torque both the frame-side and axle-side mounting bolts to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft). This specification matches the Control Arm Bolts torque value, which applies to Panhard bar installations on this vehicle. Ensure the axle is in its natural settled position with weight on the suspension when torquing.
    ℹ️Proper torque is critical for bushing longevity. Over-tightening can cause premature bushing failure, while under-tightening can allow movement and clunking.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall rear wheels
    Place the rear wheels back onto the hubs and thread the lug nuts on by hand. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench, but do not torque to final specification yet.
13. 13

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Carefully raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle completely to the ground. With the vehicle weight fully on the wheels, torque the lug nuts to 156 Nm (115 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Remove the wheel chocks.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure both Panhard bar mounting bolts are torqued to specification with vehicle weight on suspension
2. Verify no tools or parts have been left under the vehicle
3. Check that the rear axle sits centered under the vehicle with equal gap on both sides

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or unusual noises from the rear suspension
• Perform a visual inspection after the test drive to confirm both mounting bolts remain tight
• Check rear axle alignment visually by observing tire position in wheel wells - both sides should appear even
• Monitor handling during the first 50-100 miles and re-torque mounting bolts if any unusual symptoms appear

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