Replace upper control arm
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 146
From: Sudbury, Ontario
Yes, disconnect the sway bar links (plural), the tie rod end, and pry the strut up and out. Make sure to leave in the most outboard top nut on the strut (put the new one in the same way - install the other 2 nuts after you get the strut in). No need to undo the axle/IWE.
To aid in installation, take a heavy hammer to both edges of the hole in the LCA to flair the edges a bit. Then file the sharp edges off the edge of the holes. Then put some moly grease on the inside of the hole. This will help a lot when you go to pry the strut back in.
Now, this is the step that almost NO (as in very very few) DIYers do: properly torque the lower strut bolt to the factory specifications of *406 ft lbs* (only special application torque wrenches go about 250 ft lbs) By obtaining the proper torque value you won't be endangering your suspension. And you WILL feel the difference. Ford techs use what's called a torque-multiplier to obtain the 406 ft lbs.
To aid in installation, take a heavy hammer to both edges of the hole in the LCA to flair the edges a bit. Then file the sharp edges off the edge of the holes. Then put some moly grease on the inside of the hole. This will help a lot when you go to pry the strut back in.
Now, this is the step that almost NO (as in very very few) DIYers do: properly torque the lower strut bolt to the factory specifications of *406 ft lbs* (only special application torque wrenches go about 250 ft lbs) By obtaining the proper torque value you won't be endangering your suspension. And you WILL feel the difference. Ford techs use what's called a torque-multiplier to obtain the 406 ft lbs.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
that bolt must be made out of unobtanium to have that high of a torque value. we have 4 aircraft bolts that hold the engine in place that have a 3/4" shank thickness and dont' even get that high of a torque value
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,462
Likes: 717
From: SF Bay Area
Over the top? Really? Take it up with Ford. Over the top? No. That's what the factory specs are. Less than that may cause undesirable issues and less than desirable results. Where did y'all get the torque specs for YOUR front end? I got mine from the manufacturer (Ford).
The bolt head size is 30mm, IIRC. Factory torque spec: 406 ft lbs.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
The bolt head size is 30mm, IIRC. Factory torque spec: 406 ft lbs.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
Last edited by STingray1300; Oct 18, 2016 at 01:37 AM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 146
From: Sudbury, Ontario
Over the top? Really? Take it up with Ford. Over the top? No. That's what the factory specs are. Less than that may cause undesirable issues and less than desirable results. Where did y'all get the torque specs for YOUR front end? I got mine from the manufacturer (Ford).
The bolt head size is 30mm, IIRC. Factory torque spec: 406 ft lbs.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
The bolt head size is 30mm, IIRC. Factory torque spec: 406 ft lbs.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
How many automotive techs carry a torque wrench capable of torquing a bolt which such a high value? I just looked at my FSM to check the procedure out since I have to do it myself fairly soon and you are right.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
09 f150 2wd
I need to change my upper control arms. What size is the bolt and nut on upper control arms before I get started
