How to Change the Front Shocks on a '97 Ford F-150

The 1997 Ford F-150 base model was a two-wheel drive truck, with a two-door cab. The base 1997 F-150 came equipped with a 4.2-liter V-6 engine. A 4.6-liter V-8 and a 5.4-liter V-8 were upgrade engine options for the 1997 F-150. The front suspension on the base 1997 F-150 consists of coil springs and shocks. Mounted in the wheel wells, the shocks are between the lower control arm and the upper frame rail.

Instructions

1

Remove the upper shock-mounting nut, by reaching in between the top of the tire and the wheel well. Raise the truck by the frame with a jack slightly, if you cannot fit your arm in between the tire and wheel well. Use a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and deep well socket to remove the nut at the top of the shock. Lower the truck down if you lifted it for this step.

2

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts on the side of the truck you removed the top shock nut, using a tire iron. Raise the front of the truck with a jack and place a jack stand beneath the front frame rail, just inward from the lower control arm. Remove the front lug nuts completely from the side working on, and then remove the front wheel. Perform this project on only one side of the truck at a time.

3

Push the shock downward and out of the upper shock mount hole, if relaxing the front suspension did not pull it out of the hole. Remove the two lower shock-mounting nuts with a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and deep well socket. Remove the shock completely from the truck.

4

Install the lower shock onto the two studs. Install the lower shock nuts and tighten them between 19 and 25 foot-pounds of torque, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket.

5

Install a stop washer and a bushing onto the upper shock stem. Place your jack under the lower control arm of the F-150. Raise the jack slightly by pumping with one hand. Guide the upper shock stem into the mounting hole with your free hand. Install the top lock washer, and then install the top shock nut. Tighten the top shock nut between 34 and 46 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Do not lift the truck when you performing this step. The idea is to compress the suspension slightly with the jack, to be able to install the upper shock.

6

Install the front wheel after you have double-checked your torque on all three shock nuts. Install the front wheel lug nuts, and make them snug with a tire iron. Raise the F-150 off of the jack stand, and then remove the stands from beneath the truck. Lower the truck to the ground. Immediately tighten the front wheel lug nuts to 95 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket.

7

Repeat Steps 1 through 6 to complete the shock replacement on the second side of the truck. Be sure to double-check all of your torque settings on the shock nuts.