This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear strut assembly on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 RWD with 5.0L V8 engine, including disconnection from the knuckle and upper mount.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut assembly (left or right as needed) × 1 — Motorcraft SA-1012 (left) or SA-1013 (right)
• Upper strut mount nuts (if corroded) × 3 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock the front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle differential
5. Place jack stands under frame rails behind rear axle at manufacturer jacking points
6. Remove rear wheel on side being serviced
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts and upper strut tower nuts, allow 10-15 minutes to penetrate

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper strut mount
   Open the rear passenger door or access panel on the side being serviced. For standard cab models, fold down the rear seat back. Locate the three upper strut mount nuts accessible from inside the vehicle bed area or through interior access panel. The nuts are typically 13mm and visible at the top of the strut tower.
2. 2

   Support rear suspension
   Position a floor jack under the rear lower control arm near the shock mounting point. Raise the jack just enough to contact the control arm and take slight tension off the strut assembly. This prevents the suspension from dropping suddenly when strut fasteners are removed. Do not lift the vehicle, only support the control arm.
   ⚠️The suspension must be supported before removing strut fasteners. Failure to support can cause sudden movement resulting in injury or damage.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link if necessary
   If the sway bar link interferes with strut removal, disconnect it from the lower control arm. Hold the link shaft with a 6mm Allen key while loosening the lower nut with an 18mm wrench. Remove the nut completely and swing the link aside. This step may not be necessary on all configurations.
   ℹ️Not all F-150 configurations require sway bar link disconnection. Assess clearance before proceeding.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the strut to the rear knuckle/spindle assembly. These are typically 18mm bolts oriented horizontally through the strut bracket. Support the strut with one hand and remove both bolts completely. You may need to tap bolts out with a brass hammer if seized. Keep bolts if reusing, inspect threads for damage.
   ⚠Strut may shift when bolts are removed. Maintain hand support on the strut assembly.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts153 Nm (113 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove upper strut mount nuts
   From inside the vehicle, remove the three upper strut tower nuts (typically 13mm). Hold the strut from below to prevent it from falling. Once all three nuts are removed, carefully lower the strut assembly down and out from the wheel well. The strut will pivot at the upper mount as you remove it.
   ⚠Support the strut assembly weight as you remove the final upper nut. The assembly weighs 15-25 lbs and can fall suddenly.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Inspect mounting points
   With the strut removed, inspect the upper strut tower for rust, damage, or elongated bolt holes. Check the knuckle mounting bracket for cracks or deformation. Wire brush the knuckle bolt holes and upper mounting studs to remove rust and debris. Verify new strut assembly matches old unit in mounting configuration and overall length.
7. 7

   Install new strut assembly - upper mount
   Lift the new strut assembly into position, aligning the upper mount studs with the holes in the strut tower. Thread on all three upper nuts by hand first. Tighten the upper nuts in a cross pattern to the specified torque using a torque wrench. The suspension should still be supported by the floor jack under the control arm.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Align the lower strut mounting bracket with the holes in the rear knuckle/spindle. You may need to use the floor jack to raise or lower the control arm slightly to align the holes perfectly. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and thread nuts on by hand. Do not fully tighten yet.
9. 9

   Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts
   With the suspension still supported by the floor jack in a normal ride height position, torque both strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification using a torque wrench. Torque in a cross pattern if applicable. Verify both bolts are fully seated and torqued correctly.
   ⚠️Proper torque is critical for suspension safety. Use a calibrated torque wrench and verify specification is met.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts153 Nm (113 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link
    If the sway bar link was disconnected in step 3, reconnect it to the lower control arm. Insert the link stud through the mounting hole, install the nut, and torque to specification while holding the shaft with a 6mm Allen key to prevent rotation.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Remove jack support and reinstall wheel
    Carefully lower and remove the floor jack from under the control arm. Reinstall the rear wheel, threading lug nuts by hand first. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but weight is still on jack stands.
12. 12

    Torque wheel lug nuts and lower vehicle
    Torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Raise vehicle slightly, remove jack stands, and lower vehicle completely to ground. Once on ground, re-verify lug nut torque in star pattern.
    ⚠Always torque lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even seating and prevent rotor warping.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners have been installed and torqued to specification
2. Ensure no tools or parts are left in the wheel well or suspension area
3. Close all access panels and return seats to normal position if disturbed

Verification

• Perform a visual inspection of all mounting points to confirm proper installation
• Bounce the rear corner of the vehicle several times and verify the strut dampens movement without noise
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area, listening for any unusual noises or handling issues
• Verify the vehicle tracks straight and does not pull to one side during light braking
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque all suspension fasteners to specification
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment within one week of installation to ensure proper tire wear and handling

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