Ford F150 Pickup. Manual — part 1790

Fig. 3: Positioning Spring In Lower Control Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

LOWER CONTROL ARM

Removal

1. Raise vehicle, and position safety stands under frame. Remove wheels. Remove brake rotor. See

WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB & ROTOR . Remove brake disc shield. Remove shock absorber, see
SHOCK ABSORBER . Remove brake hose bracket screw and bracket from lower control arm. Remove
stabilizer bar link nut. Using Coil Spring Compressor (D78P-5310-A), compress coil spring.

2. Remove and discard lower ball joint cotter pin. Remove lower ball joint nut. Using Pitman Arm Puller

(T64P-3590-F), separate lower ball joint from spindle. Mark lower control arm pivot nut positions for
installation. See

Fig. 4

. Remove lower control arm pivot nuts and bolts. Remove lower control arm and

coil spring.

Installation

NOTE:

Lower control arm caster split adjuster is for production use only. DO NOT

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup

1. Position the front suspension lower arm and front coil spring, install the bolts and nuts. Ensure end of

spring is positioned properly between 2 holes in lower control arm. See Fig. 3 . Ensure lower control arm
pivot nuts are installed in original position. Lower control arm forward pivot bolts must be tightened first
with lower control arm at normal ride height. Install NEW cotter pins.

2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts and nuts. See TORQUE

SPECIFICATIONS . Before driving vehicle, pump brake pedal several times to restore normal pedal
position. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL
ALIGNMENT.

Fig. 4: Identifying Lower Control Arm Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

SHOCK ABSORBER

Removal & Installation

Hold the front shock absorber, and remove the upper shock absorber nut and washer assembly. Raise and
support the vehicle. Remove the lower shock absorber nuts. Remove the shock absorber. To install, reverse the
removal procedure. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

adjust.

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup

SPINDLE

Removal & Installation

1. Raise vehicle, and position safety stands under frame. Support lower control arm with floor jack. Remove

wheels. Remove brake rotor. See WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB & ROTOR . Remove brake disc shield.

2. Remove and discard upper ball joint cotter pin. Remove upper ball joint nut. Using Pitman Arm Puller

(T64P-3590-F), separate upper ball joint from the spindle. See Fig. 5 . Remove shock absorber. See
SHOCK ABSORBER .

3. Remove and discard tie rod end cotter pins. Remove tie rod nut. Using the pitman arm puller, separate tie

rod end from spindle. Using Coil Spring Compressor (D78P-5310-A), compress spring sufficiently to
remove tension from lower control arm. Remove and discard lower ball joint cotter pin. Remove lower
ball joint nut. Using the pitman arm puller, separate lower ball joint from spindle. Remove the spindle.

4. To install, reverse the removal procedure. Install NEW cotter pins. Tighten all nuts and bolts to

specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Before driving vehicle, pump brake pedal several
times to restore normal pedal position. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS &
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup

Fig. 5: Separating Upper Ball Joint & Spindle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

STABILIZER BAR

Removal & Installation

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove the front stabilizer bar link nut from the front suspension lower

control arms. Remove the left and right front stabilizer bar bolts. Remove the left and right front stabilizer
bar links. Remove the four bolts from "U"-shaped support brackets. See Fig. 6 . Remove stabilizer bar
and stabilizer bar insulators from vehicle.

2. To install, reverse the removal procedure. Tighten all nuts and bolts. See TORQUE

SPECIFICATIONS .

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2002-03 SUSPENSION Front - 2WD Coil Spring - F150 Pickup