Replace both front strut assemblies on a 2021-2024 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost RWD to restore ride quality and handling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly (complete) × 2 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Strut tower mounting nuts (if corroded) × 6 — M12 mounting hardware

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. If components are rusted, spray strut bolts, sway bar link nuts, and strut tower nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-specified lift point on frame
6. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails behind front suspension
7. Remove front wheels completely and set aside
8. Verify strut assemblies are complete units with springs already installed - do NOT attempt to disassemble original struts

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting area
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower on the driver side. The strut tower is visible from the engine bay near the fender. Clear any engine covers or components that may obstruct access to the three strut tower mounting nuts. On some configurations, the washer fluid reservoir may need to be moved aside for better access to the driver side strut tower.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link (driver side)
   Locate the sway bar link connection at the strut assembly. Using a 15mm wrench to hold the stud and a socket on the nut, remove the upper sway bar link nut that connects to the strut. The link will remain attached to the sway bar. Allow the link to hang down out of the way.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link71 Nm (52 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove lower strut-to-knuckle bolts (driver side)
   Locate the two horizontal bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are through-bolts with nuts on the back side. Use a 15mm socket on the bolt head and 15mm wrench on the nut. Remove both bolts completely. You may need to support the knuckle with a floor jack to prevent it from dropping when the strut is disconnected.
   ⚠Support the knuckle assembly with a jack or have an assistant support it to prevent sudden dropping when strut is disconnected.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts (driver side)
   From the engine bay, locate the three nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Use an 18mm socket to remove all three nuts. Keep track of any washers or insulators. The strut assembly may begin to drop as you remove the last nut.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy (approximately 15-20 lbs). Be prepared to support it as you remove the final tower nut.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove driver side strut assembly
   Carefully maneuver the strut assembly out from the wheel well. You may need to pull the knuckle outward slightly or angle the strut to clear the fender and engine bay opening. Lower the assembly down and out through the bottom of the wheel well. Inspect the removed strut for oil leaks, broken mounts, or other damage to confirm replacement was necessary.
6. 6

   Install new driver side strut assembly
   Position the new strut assembly up through the wheel well, aligning the top mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. You may need to compress the suspension slightly or angle the strut to get it into position. Ensure any alignment marks or orientation features match the original installation. Thread the three strut tower nuts onto the studs by hand initially.
   ℹ️Verify the strut is oriented correctly - the brake line mounting bracket and other features should match the original strut position.
7. 7

   Secure strut tower mounting nuts (driver side)
   Using an 18mm socket and torque wrench, tighten all three strut tower mounting nuts evenly in a star pattern to specification. Do not fully torque one nut before starting the others - tighten gradually in multiple passes to ensure even seating of the mount.
   Torque spec

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

   Connect lower strut to knuckle (driver side)
   Align the lower strut mounting bracket with the holes in the steering knuckle. You may need to use a floor jack under the lower control arm to raise the knuckle to the correct height. Insert both through-bolts and install the nuts on the back side. Ensure the bolts are fully seated before tightening. Using a 15mm socket and wrench, torque both bolts to specification.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect sway bar link (driver side)
   Position the sway bar link into the strut mounting point and install the nut. Hold the stud with a 15mm wrench while tightening the nut with a socket. Torque to specification per the available spec list.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link71 Nm (52 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Replace passenger side strut assembly
    Repeat steps 2 through 9 for the passenger side strut assembly. Access to the passenger strut tower may be easier as it typically has fewer obstructions in the engine bay. Follow the same sequence: disconnect sway bar link, remove lower strut bolts, remove tower nuts, extract old strut, install new strut, secure tower nuts, install lower bolts, reconnect sway bar link. Torque all fasteners to the same specifications.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link71 Nm (52 lb-ft)

    Strut Bolts133 Nm (98 lb-ft)

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Inspect suspension components
    With both new struts installed, visually inspect all suspension connections. Verify all bolts and nuts are present and properly torqued. Check that brake lines are properly secured to strut-mounted clips and are not stretched or kinked. Ensure no tools or parts were left in the wheel wells or suspension area.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels
    Mount both front wheels onto the hubs, ensuring they are seated properly. Install all lug nuts by hand initially. Use a socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern, but do not torque them fully yet. Carefully remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle until the wheels are touching the ground but not supporting full vehicle weight.
13. 13

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    With the vehicle weight on the wheels but before lowering completely, use a torque wrench to tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Make at least two complete passes around each wheel to ensure even torque distribution. Fully lower the vehicle and remove the floor jack.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check that all strut tower nuts, lower strut bolts, and sway bar link nuts are torqued to specification
2. Verify brake lines are secured to strut-mounted clips and have proper routing without interference
3. Reinstall any engine covers or components that were removed for strut tower access
4. Close the hood securely

Verification

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or interference in the suspension
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all fasteners are tight and no parts are hanging or loose
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area, checking for unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues
• Listen for clunking or rattling from the front suspension over bumps - any noise may indicate loose hardware
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment within 50 miles - strut replacement will affect camber and caster settings and tire wear will result if not corrected
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque all strut mounting hardware and wheel lug nuts to verify nothing has loosened

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