🔧 F-150 - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

Your F-150 uses front coil-over strut assemblies. Replacing them means safely lifting the truck, removing the wheel, disconnecting the lower strut mount and upper strut nuts, then installing the new assemblies.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support your F-150 with jack stands before working underneath it. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Replace front strut assemblies in pairs so the truck sits and handles evenly.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen the center nut on the top of the strut assembly. That nut holds spring tension and can be dangerous.
• ⚠️ If using complete loaded strut assemblies, no spring compressor is needed. A loaded strut means the spring, mount, and shock are preassembled.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear when lowering or raising the lower control arm. It can move suddenly.
• ⚠️ An alignment is required after strut replacement to prevent tire wear and steering pull.

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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
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (250 ft-lb capacity)
• Torque wrench (100 ft-lb capacity)
• 18mm wrench
• 21mm wrench
• Pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assembly - Qty: 2
• Front lower strut mounting nuts - Qty: 4
• Front upper strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Wheel alignment service - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your F-150 on flat, solid ground.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🔒 Shift the transmission into Park and set the parking brake.
• 🖊️ Use a paint marker to mark the position of the lower strut bolts before removal. This helps keep the alignment close enough to drive to an alignment shop.
• 💧 Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut nuts and upper strut nuts before starting.
• 📌 This procedure assumes you are installing complete loaded front strut assemblies.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts about one turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front frame crossmember to lift the front of your F-150.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the frame rails.
• Slowly lower the truck onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the truck to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheel

• Use the 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and set it flat under the frame as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Support the Lower Control Arm

• Place the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) lightly under the lower control arm.
• The lower control arm is the large metal arm under the strut that moves up and down with the wheel.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the arm. Do not lift the truck off the jack stand.

Step 5: Remove Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets if Attached

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove any brake hose or ABS wire brackets attached near the strut area.
• The ABS wire is the small electrical wire going to the wheel speed sensor.
• Move the brackets aside gently. Do not stretch the hose or wire.

Step 6: Mark the Lower Strut Mount Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the lower strut mount and bolt positions.
• This gives you a reference when installing the new strut assembly.
• This does not replace an alignment.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Strut Mount Nuts

• Use an 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the two lower strut mount nuts.
• Remove the two nuts from the lower strut studs.
• If the nuts are stuck, apply penetrating oil and let it soak for a few minutes.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Use a 15mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Do not remove or loosen the center nut on the strut assembly.
• Hold the strut with one hand as the last nut comes off so it does not drop suddenly.

Step 9: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Slowly lower the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the lower control arm just enough to create space.
• Use a pry bar carefully if the lower strut studs are stuck in the lower control arm.
• Use a rubber mallet to gently tap the lower mount if needed.
• Remove the strut assembly through the wheel opening.

Step 10: Install the New Loaded Strut Assembly

• Position the new front loaded strut assembly into the wheel well.
• Guide the upper studs through the holes in the strut tower first.
• Install the three new upper nuts by hand to hold it in place.
• Do not fully tighten them yet.

Step 11: Seat the Lower Strut Mount

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to slowly raise the lower control arm until the lower strut studs line up.
• Use a pry bar gently if alignment is slightly off.
• Install the two new lower strut mounting nuts by hand.
• Make sure the strut sits flat against the lower control arm.

Step 12: Tighten the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Use a 15mm socket and torque wrench (100 ft-lb capacity) to tighten the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 41 Nm (30 ft-lbs)
• Tighten the nuts evenly in a triangle pattern.

Step 13: Tighten the Lower Strut Mount Nuts

• Use an 18mm socket, 18mm wrench, and torque wrench (250 ft-lb capacity) to tighten the lower strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 406 Nm (300 ft-lbs)
• These are very tight fasteners. Make sure your torque wrench is rated high enough.

Step 14: Reinstall Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to reinstall any removed brake hose or ABS wire brackets.
• Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs)
• Check that the hose and wire are not twisted, pinched, or stretched.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 3 through 14 on the opposite front strut assembly.
• Use the same tools and the same torque specs.
• Always replace front struts in pairs.

Step 16: Reinstall the Front Wheels

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

Step 17: Lower the Truck and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the truck slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Lower your F-150 to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench (250 ft-lb capacity) to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of the truck lightly and listen for clunks.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right to make sure brake hoses and ABS wires do not stretch or rub.
• ✅ Test drive slowly at first. Listen for knocking, popping, or rubbing noises.
• ✅ Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible after replacing the struts.
• ✅ Recheck the lug nut torque after 50-100 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $850-$1,400 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $300-$650 (parts only, alignment not included)

You Save: $400-$750 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4 hours.

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