Coil Springs - Rear Pair

This procedure replaces the rear coil springs on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8, requiring suspension disassembly and spring compression.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear coil spring - left × 1 — Use OEM specification or heavy-duty aftermarket equivalent
• Rear coil spring - right × 1 — Use OEM specification or heavy-duty aftermarket equivalent
• Shock absorber lower mounting bolts (if corroded) × 2 — M14 mounting bolts

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and apply parking brake
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. Lift rear of vehicle and support frame rails with jack stands rated for vehicle weight - do not support by axle
5. Remove both rear wheels completely
6. Spray all suspension fasteners (shock bolts, sway bar links, U-bolt nuts) with penetrating oil and allow to soak
7. Inspect springs for damage and confirm replacement is necessary
8. Position floor jack under rear differential with wood block to protect housing

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar links
   Remove the sway bar end links from both sides of the rear axle. Use a wrench to hold the hex on the link shaft while removing the lower nut with another wrench. This prevents the link from rotating damage. Completely remove both links to allow full axle drop.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove shock absorber lower bolts
   Locate the lower shock mounting bolts on both sides where the shock connects to the axle bracket. Remove both lower shock mounting bolts completely. Allow the shocks to hang free. Do not disconnect the upper mounts.
   ⚠Support the axle with the floor jack before removing shock bolts. The axle will begin to drop once shocks are disconnected.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Lower the rear axle assembly
   With the floor jack supporting the differential, slowly and carefully lower the rear axle assembly. Lower it just enough to access the coil springs (approximately 6-8 inches). Monitor brake hoses and ABS wiring to ensure they are not being over-extended or damaged. Stop lowering if any component becomes tight.
   ⚠️Lower the axle very slowly and watch for binding. Do not overextend brake lines, ABS wiring, or vent hoses. Stop immediately if resistance is felt.
   ⚠Have an assistant monitor both sides of the axle as it lowers to ensure even descent and component clearance.
4. 4

   Remove driver side coil spring
   Once the axle is lowered sufficiently, the spring tension will be released. Carefully remove the driver side coil spring from its upper and lower seats. Note the orientation of any insulators or spring seats. The spring should come out without force if the axle is lowered enough. If resistance is present, lower the axle slightly more.
   ⚠️Even with axle lowered, verify spring is not under tension before removal. A tensioned spring can suddenly release and cause injury.
5. 5

   Remove passenger side coil spring
   Repeat the spring removal process for the passenger side. Remove the coil spring from its upper and lower seats, keeping track of any insulators or isolators. Compare both old springs to verify they compressed evenly and failed similarly.
   ⚠Keep upper and lower spring insulators if they are in good condition. They must be reused with new springs.
6. 6

   Inspect and clean spring seats
   With springs removed, inspect the upper frame spring seats and lower axle spring seats for rust, damage, or debris. Wire brush both seats clean. Check spring insulators for cracking, compression damage, or deterioration. Replace insulators if damaged.
   ℹ️Damaged or missing spring insulators will cause noise and premature spring wear. Always replace deteriorated insulators.
7. 7

   Install driver side new coil spring
   Position any lower insulator on the axle spring seat. Carefully position the new driver side coil spring into the lower seat, ensuring the spring end is properly seated in the locating tab or pocket. Verify the spring is oriented correctly with the paint mark or part number visible.
   ⚠Coil springs have specific top and bottom orientations. The tightly wound coils typically face the bottom (axle side). Verify orientation before installation.
8. 8

   Install passenger side new coil spring
   Repeat the installation process for the passenger side spring. Ensure the lower insulator is in place and the spring end is properly located in the seat. Both springs should now be resting loosely between the frame and axle.
   ℹ️Springs will appear loose until the axle is raised. This is normal. Do not attempt to compress them manually.
9. 9

   Raise rear axle assembly
   Using the floor jack under the differential, slowly raise the rear axle assembly. As the axle rises, the coil springs will compress and seat into the upper frame pockets. Continue raising until the shock mounting holes align with the axle brackets. Have an assistant verify both springs are seating properly as you raise the axle.
   ⚠️Raise the axle slowly and watch both springs carefully. If a spring begins to slip or misalign, stop immediately, lower the axle, and reposition the spring.
   ⚠Ensure upper spring insulators remain in position as the spring compresses. They can shift during axle raising.
10. 10

    Reinstall shock absorber lower bolts
    With the axle at proper ride height (supported by the jack), align the shock absorbers with their lower mounting brackets. Insert the lower mounting bolts and tighten to specification. Install both shocks before proceeding.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar links
    Reconnect both sway bar end links to the axle mounting points. Insert the link studs through the mounting brackets and install the lower nuts. Hold the hex shaft with a wrench while torquing the nuts to prevent rotation and stud damage.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Carefully lower the vehicle until the tires just contact the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final torque verification
    Completely lower the vehicle so full weight is on the suspension. Perform a final verification that all fasteners are torqued correctly. Bounce the rear of the vehicle several times to settle the suspension and verify no unusual noises.
    ℹ️New springs may cause a slight increase in ride height until they settle over the first few hundred miles. This is normal.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension at normal ride height
2. Verify shock absorbers move freely through their full travel without binding
3. Confirm no brake lines, ABS wires, or vent hoses are stretched or kinked
4. Check that spring insulators remained in position during reassembly

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues
• Check rear ride height is equal side-to-side and appropriate for new springs
• Re-torque all fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving
• Verify no fluid leaks from brake components after suspension cycling
• Schedule alignment check if vehicle pulls to one side or steering wheel is off-center

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