How to Remove the Rear Shocks From a 1997 Ford F-150

In 1997, Ford made a fairly controversial change to its flagship pickup, the F-150. In this model year, Ford eliminated the boxy look in favor of a rounded, less truck-like appearance. The 1997 F-150 came standard with a 4.2-liter V-6 that produced 205 horsepower, and had two V-8s available -- a 4.6-liter and a 5.4-liter. The two V-8 engines produced 220 and 235 horsepower, respectively. The F-150's rear suspension system consisted of a seat of leaf springs and two gas-charged shock absorbers. You can easily access the shocks from underneath the truck, making their replacement a pretty straightforward process.

Instructions

1

Position wheel chocks under the front of the front wheels. Raise the rear of the truck, using a floor jack, and position jack stands under the F-150's rear axle.

2

Locate the shock absorbers -- one on either end of the axle, near the rear wheels. Remove the lower shock nut, using a ratchet to twist the nut as you hold the bolt steady with a combination wrench. Pull the bolt from the lower part of the shock. If the bolt is stuck, lightly tap it with a rubber mallet to free it.

3

Trace the shock upward until you locate the nut securing the top of the shock to the F-150's frame. Loosen the upper shock nut, using a ratchet and socket, while holding the shock's upper shaft with a combination wrench.

4

Pull the rubber bushing and washer from the top of the shock absorber. Pull the lower part of the shock from the axle and pull the shock from the truck.

5

Guide the shock's upper shaft through the hole in the frame. Slide a new rubber bushing and washer -- included with the new shock -- and hand-tighten the nut onto the upper shock stud.

6

Insert the lower part of the shock into the mounting ears on the rear axle. Push the shock absorber upward to line up the hole in the base of the shock with the holes in the mounting ears in the rear axle. Push the shock mounting bolt through the rear axle mounting ears and through the hole in the bottom of the shock. Hand-tighten the nut onto the bolt.

7

Tighten the upper shock nut to 22 to 29 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket to tighten the nut and a combination wrench to hold the shock's upper stud from turning. Tighten the lower shock nut to 56 to 75 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket to tighten the nut and a combination wrench to hold the shock bolt steady.

8

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 to replace the other shock absorber.

9

Raise the F-150 off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the truck to the ground.