gearhead

The front shock / spring towers on my '95 2wd F150 were rusty with heavy scale & needed replacement. Since the truck has 64,000 miles, and the rest of the body frame in great shape, I figured it's worth replacement. Here's a few pictures of the right side replacement.





Below is a picture of the coil spring retainer (top of spring)




The hammer tip points to the spot where the brake line & brake hose are joined. There is a spring clip that needs removed after the brake line is loosened. Make sure to use CRC Freeze Off (frees rusted threads), and cover the flare of the metal line with a piece of 3/16" ID rubber or vinyl hose (plugged with a bolt at one end). The capped hose will keep the line from emptying the master cylinder.





Here's the rubber suspension stopper. It's bolted on the underside of the spring tower.





Here's the bolt underside the removed spring tower. You'll need to transfer this to the new shock tower.





Removing the bottom coil spring retainer/washer makes the job easier. A deep well 1.25" socket & long 1/2" drive breaker bar was used.





There are 6 rivets that need removed, 4 on the frame side & two underneath. I drilled each rivet with a 1/8" pilot hole, then a 3/8", & finally a 1/2" hold. An air chisel knocked the heads right off, and a punch drifted out the other side of the rivet.




Here's the spring tower removed. Note the heavy scale, a little picking revealed a hole near the area where the spring rests.







Clean up of the frame is necessary to stop further decay. I used a paint similar to POR 15 and seems to hold up well.

gearhead

I used 1/2" x 13 threads per inch x 1.50" & accompanying nut, all Grade 8. A good hardware store or local Fastenall should carry or can order them.

Good old Bill

Nice job gearhead, If you haven't already put it in the "How to Section".

gearhead

Thanks Bill. I'll snap pictures of the completed job sometime later this week. I also replaced the radius arms as they had heavy scale & plan on keeping the truck another 100.000 + miles. I probably could have sandblasted the old arms, but at $70 each new, the old ones were not worth my time to sandblast.

Mechanicalmike08

Where did you buy the new towers?

gearhead

Local Ford dealership had them in stock, apparently it's somewhat common problem. I think they were $80-100 each. One thing I'd definitely do is spray undercoat the spring tower before mounting. Then spray the nuts & bolts after installing. I plan on using Fluid Film on the entire underside, including frame rails & inside panels.

http://www.fluid-film.com/products/index.html

jherr

I need this same part. (spring/shock tower). I have tried all 10 salvage yards within a 50 mile radius two dealerships and numerous parts stores. I've even searched online and I am not able to locate a new or used one. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP???

62champ

My local Ford dealer (eastern PA) has them listed on their system and even has a pair in stock (Guy behind the parts counter says them keep those and rear spring shackles in stock all the time).

If your local Ford dealer does not show them - contact a dealer in an area that dumps tons of salt on the roads every winter.


Good luck.

maddog 5487

Hello Gearhead, Thanks for the pics of the tower replacement job. I have a 96 f150 4x4 5.0 and need to do the same. What did you replace the rivets with that you removed? bolts I assume was there access to put them in? Thanks maddog5487

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

Right here: