F-150 - Front & Rear Shock Absorber Replacement 🚚

Got it—you want to replace the shocks on your F-150. I’ll walk you through a safe, beginner-friendly way.

Quick check first: Are you planning to replace all 4 shocks (front and rear), or just the rear? This guide will cover both, but tell me if you want to do rear only to simplify.

Safety & Prep ⚠️

• 🧯 Work on level ground and set the parking brake. Chock (block) the wheels that stay on the ground.
• 🦺 Never rely on a jack alone. Always support the truck with jack stands. A jack stand is a metal support that holds the vehicle safely after lifting.
• 🧤 Wear eye protection and gloves. Rust and dirt will fall when you remove bolts.

Parts You Need 📦

• 🔧 Front shocks (2) – for 2016 F-150 4WD, non-CCD (no fancy adaptive suspension). These are strut-style front shocks (coil spring over shock).
• 🔧 Rear shocks (2).
• 🔩 New mounting nuts/bolts if your shock brand includes them (recommended if old hardware is rusty).

Tip: Always replace shocks in pairs on the same axle (both fronts together, both rears together).

Tools Required 🛠️

• 🛞 Floor jack (2–3 ton) – hydraulic jack to lift the truck.
• 🪜 Jack stands (at least 2, rated for trucks).
• 🔧 Socket set (metric):
  • Common sizes for this truck: 15mm, 18mm, 21mm sockets.
  • 1/2" drive ratchet and/or breaker bar (long handle for stuck bolts).
• 🔩 Combination wrenches (15mm–21mm).
• 🔨 Pry bar – metal bar to help move suspension slightly if needed.
• 🧴 Penetrating oil (like WD-40) – helps loosen rusty bolts.
• 📏 Torque wrench – tool that tightens bolts to a specific torque (force).

Torque Specs (Approx. OEM) 📏

• 🧷 Front shock (strut) upper nuts: ~ 30 lb-ft (40 Nm)
• 🧷 Front shock lower bolt: ~ 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) (very tight – use big breaker bar)
• 🧷 Rear shock upper bolt: ~ 66 lb-ft (90 Nm)
• 🧷 Rear shock lower bolt: ~ 66 lb-ft (90 Nm)

Note: Values vary slightly by build; these are typical for your F-150 4WD. Tighten to spec with a torque wrench whenever possible.

Rear Shock Replacement Steps (Easier – Start Here) 🔁

1. Lift and Support Rear

• 🧱 Loosen rear wheel lug nuts ¼ turn while the truck is on the ground.
• 🛞 Place the floor jack under the rear axle tube (near the shock you’re working on) and lift until the wheel is just off the ground.
• 🪜 Place jack stands under the frame rails in front of the rear wheels. Lower the truck onto the stands.
• 🛠️ Remove the rear wheel for better access (optional but recommended).

2. Remove Old Rear Shock

• 🧴 Spray penetrating oil on the upper and lower shock bolts. Let it soak a few minutes.
• 🔧 Support the shock body with one hand or a small jack (so it doesn’t drop suddenly).
• 🔧 Use a socket and wrench to remove the lower bolt/nut at the axle.
• 🔧 Remove the upper bolt/nut at the frame mount.
• 🗑️ Pull the shock out. You may need to push or pull slightly to free it.

3. Install New Rear Shock

• 📐 Make sure the new shock is oriented correctly (check “top”/“bottom” markings if present).
• 🔧 Position the upper eye of the shock in the frame bracket. Install the bolt and nut finger tight only.
• 🔧 Compress the shock slightly by hand if needed and slide the lower eye into the axle bracket. Install the lower bolt and nut finger tight.
• 🛞 Use the floor jack under the axle to raise it slightly until the truck’s weight is partially on the suspension. This sets the shock at normal ride height.
• 📏 Torque:
  • Rear upper bolt: ~66 lb-ft (90 Nm)
  • Rear lower bolt: ~66 lb-ft (90 Nm)
• 🔁 Repeat on the other rear side.

4. Reinstall Wheels & Lower

• 🛞 Reinstall wheels and snug lug nuts.
• 🪜 Raise truck slightly, remove jack stands, and lower to ground.
• 📏 Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to about 150 lb-ft (typical for F-150 aluminum wheels).

Front Shock (Strut) Replacement Steps 🧱

The front of your 4WD uses a coil-over strut. We are replacing the whole assembly (recommended for beginners) if your new parts are complete units. If your new shocks are bare and require spring transfer, that needs a spring compressor and is more advanced.

Tell me if your new front shocks are complete assemblies or just bare shocks, and I can adjust steps. Below assumes complete assemblies.

1. Lift and Support Front

• 🧱 Loosen front lug nuts ¼ turn on both sides.
• 🛞 Jack under the front crossmember and lift until both front wheels are off the ground.
• 🪜 Place jack stands under the frame rails behind the front wheels. Lower truck onto stands.
• 🛠️ Remove both front wheels.

2. Access Front Strut

• 🧴 Spray penetrating oil on:
  • Lower strut bolt/nut at the lower control arm.
  • Upper strut nuts at the top of the strut tower (under hood).
• 🧷 Under the hood, locate the three small nuts at the top of the strut tower (do not loosen the big center nut).

3. Disconnect Lower Strut Mount

• 🔧 At the lower control arm, remove the large lower strut bolt/nut (21mm typically). You may need a breaker bar.
• 🪛 You might need to gently pry the lower control arm down a bit to free the strut bottom from its seat.

4. Remove Upper Mount Nuts

• 🔧 Under the hood, remove the three upper strut nuts (usually 15mm). Leave one nut threaded a few turns until you’re ready to support the strut.
• 🧤 Support the strut from below with one hand, then remove the last nut and lower the strut out of the wheel well.

5. Install New Front Strut

• 📐 Position the new strut in the wheel well and line up the studs with the holes in the strut tower.
• 🔧 From under the hood, install the three upper nuts finger tight to hold it in place.
• 🔧 Align the lower strut mount with the lower control arm seat. You may need to:
  • Use a jack under the lower control arm to raise it slightly.
  • Use a pry bar gently to line up the holes.
• 🔩 Install the lower bolt and nut finger tight.

6. Torque Front Fasteners

• 📏 With the lower control arm supported by a jack (simulating normal ride height):
  • Upper strut nuts: ~30 lb-ft (40 Nm)
  • Lower strut bolt: ~350 lb-ft (475 Nm) – this is very tight; use a long breaker bar and torque wrench rated high enough.
• 🛞 Reinstall front wheels and torque lug nuts to about 150 lb-ft.

After You’re Done 🚗

• 🧪 Take a short, gentle test drive. Listen for clunks or rattles (sign of loose bolts).
• 📐 After front shock/strut replacement, it’s strongly recommended to get a wheel alignment so your tires wear evenly and the truck tracks straight.

Infotainment / Settings (Nothing Special Here) 📺

No special infotainment or scan-tool steps are required for shock replacement on your F-150. Just clear any suspension-related reminders you may have set manually.

Wrap-Up & Parts Help 🧰

If you tell me:

• 🧩 Whether your front replacements are complete strut assemblies or bare shocks, and
• 🛞 Whether you want to do rear only or front + rear,

I can tighten this guide even more and call out exact part styles (heavy-duty, towing, comfort, etc.).

HowToo makes it easy: below this answer you’ll see recommended shocks, hardware, and any tools you’re missing. You can add them to your cart right from the parts section, with fast shipping so you can get this job done in a day. 🚀