🔧 F-150 - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

On your F-150, the front “struts” are front coilover shock assemblies: a shock absorber with a coil spring mounted around it. Replacing them restores ride control, reduces bouncing, and can correct front-end clunks or uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your F-150 with jack stands before working underneath. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ The coil spring is under heavy tension. Use complete pre-assembled strut assemblies if possible. Do not remove the center shaft nut unless the spring is safely compressed with a proper spring compressor.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear when lowering the lower control arm. It can move suddenly.
• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs to keep braking, steering, and ride height even.
• ⚠️ An alignment is strongly recommended after replacement.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 21mm wrench
• 18mm wrench
• 15mm wrench
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assemblies - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mount nuts - Qty: 6
• Front lower strut mounting nuts - Qty: 2
• Front stabilizer bar link nuts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your F-150 on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🛞 Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• 📌 A complete strut assembly means the spring, shock, and upper mount are already assembled. This is safer and easier for a beginner.
• 📌 A spring compressor is a tool that squeezes the coil spring so the strut can be disassembled safely. Avoid this unless you are experienced.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loose first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front

• Use a floor jack under the front crossmember to raise the front of your F-150.
• Place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack nearby to support the lower control arm later.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Support the Lower Control Arm

• Place the floor jack under the outer part of the lower control arm.
• Raise the jack just enough to lightly support the control arm.
• The lower control arm is the large metal suspension arm under the strut.

Step 5: Remove the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 10mm socket or 13mm socket as fitted to remove the brake hose bracket from the strut area.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or needle-nose pliers to release any ABS wire clips attached near the strut.
• Do not pull on the brake hose or ABS wire.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to remove the stabilizer bar link nut from the lower control arm or strut area, depending on link position.
• The stabilizer bar link is a short rod that helps control body roll in turns.
• If the stud spins, hold it with the correct wrench while removing the nut with the 18mm socket.

Step 7: Mark the Lower Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the lower strut mounting position before removal.
• This helps put the new assembly close to the original position.
• An alignment is still recommended afterward.

Step 8: Remove the Lower Strut Mount Nut and Bolt

• Spray the lower strut fastener with penetrating oil.
• Use a 21mm socket and 21mm wrench to remove the lower strut mounting nut.
• Tap the bolt out carefully with a rubber mallet if it is tight.
• Use a pry bar only as needed to relieve light pressure.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Locate the three upper strut mount nuts at the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the three upper nuts.
• Do not remove the center shaft nut on the strut assembly.
• Support the strut with one hand while removing the last nut.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Slowly lower the floor jack under the lower control arm just enough to create room.
• Guide the strut assembly downward and out through the wheel opening.
• Use a pry bar gently if the lower mount is stuck.

Step 11: Install the New Strut Assembly

• Position the new complete strut assembly into the wheel well.
• Guide the upper studs through the strut tower holes.
• Install the new upper strut mount nuts by hand first.
• Use a 15mm socket to snug the upper nuts, but do not fully torque them yet.

Step 12: Install the Lower Strut Bolt

• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the lower control arm until the lower strut bolt holes line up.
• Slide the lower strut bolt through by hand.
• Install the new lower mounting nut.
• Use a 21mm socket and 21mm wrench to tighten the lower fastener.
• Torque to 476 Nm (351 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Torque the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Use a 15mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 41 Nm (30 ft-lbs).
• Do not tighten or loosen the center shaft nut.

Step 14: Reconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Install the stabilizer bar link back into position.
• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to tighten the nut.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Reattach Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 10mm socket or 13mm socket to reinstall the brake hose bracket.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or your fingers to secure ABS wire clips back into their holders.
• Make sure the hose and wire do not rub the tire, spring, or steering parts.

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the opposite front strut assembly.
• Always replace front struts in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install the wheels by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• The star pattern means tightening across from each nut, not around in a circle.

Step 18: Lower the Truck and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your F-150 to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your F-150 gently by hand to settle the suspension.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and check that brake hoses and ABS wires do not stretch or rub.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks, rubbing, or pulling.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.
• ✅ Schedule a front alignment as soon as possible to protect your tires and steering feel.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $750-$1,200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $400-$650 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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