🔧 Front Strut Assembly - Replacement

Replacing the front strut assembly restores ride control, steering stability, and braking feel. On your F-150, the front strut is part of the suspension and must be handled carefully because it supports spring tension and wheel alignment.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely with jack stands before removing any suspension fasteners.
• Use caution around the coil spring. If you are disassembling the strut, the spring is under heavy tension and can cause serious injury.
• Keep hands clear of the lower control arm while removing the strut bolts.
• An alignment is required after front strut replacement.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable only if you must move wiring or sensors near the work area.

---

🔧 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
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Penetrating oil
• Trim clip tool
• Pry bar
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Paint marker

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Front lower strut bolts - Qty: 2
• Front sway bar link nuts - Qty: 2

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the truck.
• If your replacement strut is a complete assembly, no spring compressor is needed.
• If you are transferring the spring to a new strut body, use a spring compressor only on the bench.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of the truck at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the front wheel with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Free the strut area

• Spray the visible fasteners with penetrating oil.
• If the brake hose or ABS wire clip is attached to the strut, remove the clip with a trim clip tool.
• Use a 15mm socket or 18mm socket to remove any bracket fasteners attached to the strut body, if equipped.

Step 3: Disconnect the sway bar link if needed

• If the sway bar link blocks strut removal, hold the stud with a wrench and remove the nut with an 18mm socket or matching wrench.
• Keep the link from spinning.

Step 4: Mark the alignment position

• Use a paint marker to mark the location of the strut to the knuckle.
• This helps keep the suspension close enough to drive to the alignment shop.

Step 5: Remove the lower strut bolts

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the lower strut bolts at the steering knuckle.
• Support the knuckle and hub assembly as the bolts come out.
• Torque during installation: 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the upper strut nuts

• Open the hood and locate the upper strut tower nuts.
• Use an 18mm socket to remove the upper mounting nuts.
• Hold the strut from below while removing the last nut so it does not drop.
• Torque during installation: 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Remove the strut assembly

• Work the strut assembly out of the wheel well.
• Use a pry bar only if needed for small clearance movement.
• If the assembly will not clear, raise or lower the control arm slightly with the jack.

Step 8: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the new strut into the tower and start the upper nuts by hand.
• Align the lower strut ears with the knuckle and install the bolts.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the upper nuts to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).
• Tighten the lower strut bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reconnect removed brackets and links

• Reinstall the brake hose or ABS wire bracket using the original fasteners and a 15mm socket or 18mm socket.
• If removed, reinstall the sway bar link and tighten the nut to the factory spec for the link style on your truck.
• Do not twist the brake hose.

Step 10: Reassemble and set the truck down

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Raise the truck slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower it to the ground.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the truck and listen for clunks or rattles over small bumps.
• Check that the brake hose and ABS wire move freely and are not stretched.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.
• Recheck lug nut torque after a short test drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$700 (parts only)

You Save: $600-$900 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

---

🎯 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.