Strut lower bolt
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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Strut lower bolt
Replacing the front struts on my 06 F150 and my buddy who is a mechanic said that the bottom bolt could be frozen. If he can’t get it out he might have to cut it out and I would need new bolts. Where can I buy them at? Can’t find much info on them.
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,574
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From: Chico, Ca.
If it's visually rusted/corroded, it may be frozen. If it appears clean, it's probably just bloody tight. The spec is approx. 360ft/lb on the 11th gen trucks. It's 406 on the 12th gens! When I did my struts a few weeks ago (12th gen) I had a helper running a healthy impact gun on the nut while I used a breaker bar & cheater on the bolt head. Replacement bolts would be best sourced from Ford.
Last edited by PerryB; Mar 13, 2019 at 08:58 PM.
TOTM 8/2019
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 398
From: NJ
Yeah it's a beast.
I soaked in in penetrating oil for a bit, then used a large breaker bar (maybe 18"?) and also put a pipe on the end to get maybe 3' of extension. I put my whole body weight on it(185lb) so that times 3 would be 555 ft-lb to break it free.
I soaked in in penetrating oil for a bit, then used a large breaker bar (maybe 18"?) and also put a pipe on the end to get maybe 3' of extension. I put my whole body weight on it(185lb) so that times 3 would be 555 ft-lb to break it free.
SSDD
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,606
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heavy duty cheater bar and a piece of fence post...
use an impact socket
.
.
.
also, don't torque the bushings while the suspension is fully flexed. Simulate ride height or torque on the ground. You can prematurely ruin bushings that way
use an impact socket
.
.
.
also, don't torque the bushings while the suspension is fully flexed. Simulate ride height or torque on the ground. You can prematurely ruin bushings that way
Last edited by SCORGE; Mar 11, 2019 at 01:29 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 69
Likes: 11
From: West Central Illinois
I just did this job and decided to use new bolts and nuts. You can re-use the old ones and use Loctite. But in case you are interested here they are on eBay: NUT BOLT
I did not have a torque wrench that went to 350 foot pounds so I tightened it with a helper bar and gave it all I had. I installed Monroe coil overs in the front and Monroe shocks in the back.
I did not have a torque wrench that went to 350 foot pounds so I tightened it with a helper bar and gave it all I had. I installed Monroe coil overs in the front and Monroe shocks in the back.
Last edited by rlawsha; Mar 11, 2019 at 05:05 PM.
