This procedure covers the replacement of worn or damaged leaf spring bushings on the rear suspension of a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 RWD with the 5.0L V8 Coyote engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear leaf spring front bushing × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Rear leaf spring rear shackle bushing × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Penetrating oil or anti-seize compound × 1 — Generic

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Spray all leaf spring mounting bolts and shackle bolts with penetrating oil if visible corrosion is present
5. Gather all tools and replacement bushings before beginning work

Procedure

1. 1

   Lift and support vehicle
   Using a floor jack at the rear differential or frame rail, raise the rear of the vehicle. Place jack stands under the frame rails behind the cab, ensuring they are positioned on solid mounting points. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. The rear axle should be hanging free with suspension unloaded.
2. 2

   Remove rear wheel
   Remove the lug nuts completely and take off the rear wheel on the side being serviced. Set wheel aside in a safe location.
3. 3

   Support rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the rear axle housing near the wheel hub area on the side being serviced. Raise jack just enough to make light contact with the axle, providing support but not lifting the vehicle. This prevents the axle from dropping excessively when spring tension is released.
   ⚠Do not fully lift the axle with the jack; only support it to prevent excessive droop. The leaf spring must be unloaded for bushing removal.
4. 4

   Remove U-bolts
   Locate the U-bolts that secure the leaf spring to the rear axle housing. Remove the nuts from both U-bolts and remove the U-bolts completely. Remove the spring plate that sits between the U-bolts and the leaf spring. The axle is now separated from the leaf spring.
5. 5

   Remove rear shackle bolts
   Locate the rear shackle assembly that connects the rear of the leaf spring to the frame. Remove the bolt securing the shackle to the frame mount and the bolt securing the shackle to the spring eye. The shackle and rear of the spring will now be free. Support the spring by hand to prevent it from dropping.
   ⚠The leaf spring may shift or drop when the shackle is disconnected. Maintain control of the spring to prevent injury or damage.
6. 6

   Remove front spring mounting bolt
   Locate the front leaf spring eye mounting bolt that secures the spring to the front hanger bracket on the frame. Remove this bolt completely. The leaf spring assembly is now free and can be removed from the vehicle. Carefully lower and remove the spring.
7. 7

   Press out old front bushing
   Secure the leaf spring in a vise or suitable holding fixture. Using a hydraulic press or bushing press kit, carefully press the old front eye bushing out of the spring. Apply pressure evenly and ensure the bushing is being pushed straight through the spring eye. Clean the spring eye bore thoroughly with a wire brush, removing all rust, debris, and old bushing material.
8. 8

   Install new front bushing
   Apply a light coating of soapy water or bushing lubricant to the new front bushing outer surface (do not use petroleum-based products on rubber bushings). Position the new bushing in the spring eye, ensuring it is properly aligned. Using the press or installation tool, carefully press the new bushing into the spring eye until it is fully seated and centered. The bushing should be flush on both sides of the spring eye.
9. 9

   Replace rear shackle bushings
   Remove the old bushings from the rear spring eye using the same pressing method as the front bushing. If replacing shackle bushings in the shackle itself, press out old bushings from both ends of the shackle. Clean all bores thoroughly. Press new bushings into the rear spring eye and shackle assembly, ensuring proper alignment and full seating. Verify bushings are centered and flush.
10. 10

    Reinstall leaf spring assembly
    Position the leaf spring assembly back into place under the vehicle. Insert the front eye mounting bolt through the front hanger bracket and the new front bushing. Thread the nut onto the bolt but do not fully tighten yet. Connect the rear shackle to the spring eye and frame mount, installing both shackle bolts and threading nuts finger-tight. Do not torque any fasteners at this stage.
11. 11

    Reconnect axle to spring
    Using the floor jack, raise the rear axle up to meet the leaf spring. Align the spring center bolt with the locating hole in the axle pad. Install the spring plate over the U-bolts, then install both U-bolts through the plate and around the axle housing. Thread nuts onto U-bolts and tighten in a criss-cross pattern to manufacturer specification (typically 100-110 lb-ft, though not listed in provided torque specs - consult service manual for exact value).
12. 12

    Load suspension and torque all fasteners
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle until the full weight is resting on the suspension and tires are just touching the ground. This loads the suspension to normal ride height. In this position, torque the front spring eye mounting bolt and nut to manufacturer specification (typically 148-203 lb-ft for this application). Torque both rear shackle bolts to manufacturer specification. This ensures bushings are torqued at proper suspension position to prevent premature wear.
    ℹ️Leaf spring bushings must be torqued at normal ride height to prevent binding and premature failure. Do not torque with suspension hanging free.
13. 13

    Install wheel and final torque
    Raise vehicle slightly and remove floor jack from under axle. Install the rear wheel, threading lug nuts by hand. Lower vehicle completely to the ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if both sides require bushing replacement
2. Verify all fasteners are properly torqued and no tools or parts are left under vehicle
3. Check that U-bolt nuts are evenly tightened and spring is properly seated on axle pad

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and listen for any unusual noises from rear suspension
• Verify vehicle tracks straight and does not pull to one side
• After 50-100 miles, re-check torque on all spring mounting bolts and U-bolt nuts
• Inspect for any fluid leaks around differential that may have been disturbed during service
• Verify no squeaking or binding noises from leaf springs during suspension travel

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