🔧 F-150 - Shock Absorber Replacement

This job replaces the rear shock absorbers and front shock/strut assemblies on your F-150. The rear shocks are beginner-friendly; the front assemblies are heavier and require careful lifting, but using complete loaded strut assemblies avoids compressing the coil springs.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your F-150 supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Front coil springs store a lot of energy. Do not disassemble the spring from the strut unless you have the correct professional spring compressor.
• ⚠️ For a first-time DIYer, use complete loaded front strut assemblies. A loaded strut is a preassembled shock, spring, and mount.
• ⚠️ Chock the wheels that stay on the ground so the truck cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Do not let the front knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS wire.
• ⚠️ 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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 250 ft-lbs
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 21mm wrench
• 18mm wrench
• 15mm wrench
• 13mm wrench
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front lower strut mounting nuts - Qty: 4
• Front upper strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Rear shock mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 4 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your F-150 on level, solid ground.
• Shift to Park and apply the parking brake.
• Chock the wheels that will stay on the ground.
• Loosen the wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Spray penetrating oil on the shock and strut fasteners 10-15 minutes before removal.
• Take a photo of each side before disassembly. This helps you remember how everything sits.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Truck

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front or rear of your F-150.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the frame rails.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the truck lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket to remove the lug nuts fully.
• Remove the wheels and place them flat under the frame as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Replace the Rear Shock Absorbers

• Support the rear axle lightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum. Do not lift the truck off the jack stands.
• Use a 15mm socket and 15mm wrench to remove the lower rear shock bolt and nut.
• Use a 15mm socket and 15mm wrench to remove the upper rear shock bolt and nut.
• Remove the old rear shock absorber by hand.
• Install the new rear shock absorber in the same direction as the original.
• Start the upper and lower bolts by hand first so they do not cross-thread.
• Use a 15mm socket and 15mm wrench to snug the bolts.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the rear upper shock bolt to Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the rear lower shock bolt to Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).
• Repeat the same steps on the other rear shock.

Step 5: Prepare the Front Strut Assembly Area

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself more room on the side you are working on.
• Use a paint marker to mark the position of any brackets or clips you remove.
• Use needle-nose pliers to gently release any brake hose or ABS wire retaining clips attached near the strut.
• Do not pull on the ABS wire. The ABS wire is the small electrical wire going to the wheel-speed sensor.

Step 6: Disconnect the Front Sway Bar Link

• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to remove the sway bar link nut from the control arm area if it blocks strut removal.
• The sway bar link connects the suspension to the anti-roll bar and may need to move for extra clearance.
• Move the link aside by hand.

Step 7: Remove the Front Lower Strut Nuts

• Support the lower control arm lightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.
• Use a 21mm socket and 21mm wrench to remove the two lower strut mounting nuts.
• If the bolts are tight, use the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar.
• Leave the lower bolts in place for now to help hold the strut.

Step 8: Remove the Front Upper Strut Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Locate the three upper strut mounting nuts at the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the three upper strut nuts.
• Do not remove the large center nut on the strut assembly.
• Never remove the center nut.

Step 9: Remove the Front Strut Assembly

• Use a rubber mallet to tap the lower strut bolts out if needed.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch carefully to create space at the lower control arm.
• Lower the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum slightly under the control arm.
• Pull the complete strut assembly out through the wheel opening.
• Keep hands clear of pinch points between the control arm and strut.

Step 10: Install the New Front Loaded Strut Assembly

• Position the new loaded strut assembly in the same orientation as the old one.
• Guide the upper studs into the strut tower by hand.
• Install the three upper strut nuts by hand first.
• Use a 13mm socket to snug the upper nuts, but do not fully torque them yet.
• Align the lower strut mount with the lower control arm.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise or lower the control arm until the holes line up.
• Slide the lower bolts through by hand.
• Install new lower strut mounting nuts by hand.

Step 11: Torque the Front Strut Fasteners

• Use a 13mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the three upper strut nuts to Torque to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs).
• Use a 21mm socket, 21mm wrench, and torque wrench to tighten the lower strut mounting nuts to Torque to 350 Nm (258 ft-lbs).
• If your torque wrench does not reach 258 ft-lbs, have a shop final-torque the lower strut fasteners before driving normally.

Step 12: Reconnect the Front Sway Bar Link and Clips

• Use an 18mm socket and 18mm wrench to reinstall the sway bar link nut.
• Tighten the sway bar link nut to Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).
• Use needle-nose pliers to reinstall any brake hose or ABS wire clips.
• Make sure no wire or hose is stretched, twisted, or rubbing the tire.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 12 on the other front strut assembly.
• Replace front strut assemblies in pairs so the truck handles evenly.

Step 14: Reinstall the Wheels

• Lift each wheel onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 21mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel, not around in a circle.

Step 15: 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 fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each corner of your F-150 by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and check that no brake hose or ABS wire is pulling.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks, rattles, or rubbing noises.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ Get a wheel alignment after replacing front strut assemblies. This helps prevent tire wear and steering pull.
• ✅ If the steering wheel is off-center or the truck pulls, do not delay the alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,700 for front and rear shock/strut replacement

DIY Cost: $350-$900 for parts only

You Save: $550-$800 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.