Here you can find information regarding repairs to the F150 rear end system. These repairs include the
rear control arms installation, the rear swaybar information and bolt torque specs,
the rear diff fluid change procedures, and the rear end watts system installation. All of these repairs and
procedures include in depth details on how to perform the replacement and or repair. They
also contain all the detailed torque specs needed for each bolt involved in the repair.
Rear Stabilizer Bar Installation
The rear stabilizer bar on an F150 consists of a large metal bar that connects to both ends of the vehicle. The
end connections connect via nuts called link nuts which are torqued down to 75 ft-lbs. The bar is held in place by a set of brackets that
connect to the vehicle frame and these bracket bolts also torque down to 75 ft-lbs.
F150 Stabilizer End Link Nuts Torque Specs : 75 ft-lbs
F150 Stabilizer Bar Bracket Torque Specs : 75 ft-lbs
Rear Leaf Spring Installation
The rear leaf spring on an F150 consists of a series of leaves that are bolted to the vehicles frame and axle. To install new leaf springs you can
buy a kit that includes all the leaves all strapped together and then uninstall the U bolts that hold them to the axle and unbolt the 2 bolts that hold it
to the frame. When reinstalling them you can tighten the 2 frame bolts to 173 ft-lbs and then the u bolts to the corresponding U-bolt torque spec which will be included with
your new u bolts.
F150 Leaf Spring Bolts Torque Spec : 173 ft-lbs
Rear Differential Fluid change
The first step in replacing your rear end differential fluid is to jack the rear end of the vehicle up into the
air. Be sure to use safety precautions so that
no injuries occur. With the vehicle in the air you will have clear access to the rear differential. If you want
to check the current fluid level you can remove the fluid fill plug which is a 3/8's ratchet sized bolt located
about half way up the differential. If the fluid level is full the fluid should be directly below the level of the plug. If it is
lower then your are currently low on fluid.
To replace the fluid inside the diff you must remove the plate and allow for the fluid inside to seep out. Be
sure to have a container to catch the fluid.
Once the fluid stops flowing you can reinstall the plate by using some silicon sealant to help prevent leakage.
The bolts for the plate should be torqued to 37 ft-lbs.
With the plate reinstalled you can now take your new fluid and fill the rear end up through the rubber plug
hole. Once done reinstall the plug to 25 ft-lbs and ensure that there are
no leaks at the bottom of the cover.
F150 Differential Cover Torque Specs : 37 ft-lbs
F150 Differential Fill Plug Torque Specs : 25 ft-lbs
Rear Shocks Installation
To replace the rear shocks on a F150 you will need to remove two sets of bolts/nuts. The first being
the one located on the top of the shock.
This one can be accessed by the truck or through the side of the vehicle with a wrench. Once this one has been
removed the next bolt is located on the bottom
of the vehicle. Once the bottom bolt has been removed the shock can be lowered out of the vehicle. The new part
can now be placed in the vehicle much the same
way that the old one has been removed. When tightening the bolts back up make sure to torque the top bolt to 66
ft-lbs. The lower bolt on the shock must
be tightened to 66 ft-lbs.
