Watch this video to learn how to replace lower control arm on a 2009-2014 Ford F-150.
Ready to perform this DIY replacement job? Remember that all the parts in this guide can be found on CarParts.com. Check out all the products that fit your vehicle right here.
Here’s the toolbox we recommend to repair your Ford F-150: HM85 85 Piece Ratchet and Socket Set
List of tools:
Step 1: Turn off the engine, set the parking brake, pull the bonnet release handle, and open the bonnet.
Step 2: Before lifting the vehicle, measure the distance between the center of the wheel and the wheel arch. This measurement ensures optimal tightening of silent block equipped elements.
Step 3: Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.
Step 4: Lift the front of your vehicle and securely place it on axle stands. Watch our “How to jack your Ford F-150 safely” video for guidance before proceeding.
Step 5: To gain access to the suspension system for upper control arm replacement, remove the front wheels. Remember to place the wheels under the vehicle for safety.
Step 6: Unclip the ABS sensor cable connection from the mudguard, unclip the two cable attachment points using a fork, then disconnect it from the brake hose.
Step 7: Using an 8mm spanner, unscrew the screw holding the ABS sensor to the wheel knuckle.
Step 8: Use a ratchet and a 10mm socket to unscrew the brake hose clamp from the wheel knuckle.
Step 9: Remove the nut cover from the hub using a flathead screwdriver. Unscrew the hub nut with a ratchet and a 15mm socket while locking the hub rotation with a crowbar.
Step 10: Turn the disk inward to make removing the hub nut easier.
Step 11: Remove the caliper assembly by attaching an iron thread to hold it together. Unscrew the two screws from the caliper mount using a ratchet and a 21mm socket. Attach the caliper to the iron thread. For more information, we recommend watching our video “How to replace the front discs and pads Ford F-150“.
Step 12: Disconnect the sway bar end link from the lower control arm. Refer to our video “How to replace the sway bar end links Ford F-150?“
Step 13: Loosen the upper control arm ball joint nut with a ratchet and a 22mm socket and tap the knuckle to release the ball joint.
Step 14: Unscrew the locknut on the outer tie rod using a socket wrench and a 21mm socket. Partially remove some of the holding nuts. Refer to our video “How to replace the outer tie rod Ford F-150?“
Step 15: Complete the removal of the upper control arm ball joint nut.
Step 16: Disconnect the vacuum lines from the hub lock actuator and remove the ABS sensor cable.
Step 17: Unlock the lower control arm ball joint nut with a ratchet and a 24mm socket and unscrew the nut a few threads. Reinsert the outer tie rod into its knuckle.
Step 18: Remove the outer tie rod and disconnect the upper control arm from the wheel knuckle to remove the driveshaft from the hub.
Step 19: Use a forked ball joint puller to remove the ball joint from the wheel knuckle, then fully remove the control arm ball joint. While maintaining the wheel knuckle, finish unscrewing by hand. Extract the wheel knuckle.
Step 20: Attach the driveshaft to one of the strut spring coils to gain access to the strut foot screw. Unscrew the strut foot nut using a breaker bar, a 30mm socket, a ratchet and 27mm socket to prevent the screw from turning.
Step 21: Brush the two nuts of the lower control arm silent block retaining bolts, then apply penetrating oil.
Step 22: Lock the nut on the rear silent block retaining bolt using a 27mm spanner, then unlock the bolt using a socket wrench and a 21mm socket. Repeat the operation on the front silent block screw using the same tools, then remove the screws.
Step 23: Remove the screw from the foot of the strut, then remove the lower control arm by pulling it towards you and moving it back and forth.
Step 24: Brush and grease the control arm area for easier installation.
Step 25: Unscrew the ball joint retaining screw and take the control arm.
Step 26: Grease the location of the strut foot and its silent block, then install the control arm.
Step 27: Replace the screws on the cradle side.
Step 28: Use a jack to apply pressure to the control arm and insert the strut foot into the control arm. Insert the screws and use a hammer if needed.
Step 29: Screw the nut back on until it makes contact.
Step 30: Roughly refit the nuts of the control arm silent blocks.
Step 31: Scrub the knuckle of the wheel knuckle, apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the lower control arm ball joint sleeve.
Step 32: Detach the driveshaft.
Step 33: Take the wheel knuckle and, while inserting the control arm ball into its knuckle, thread the driveshaft into the hub. Secure the whole by screwing the nut on the ball joint a few threads by hand.
Step 34: Tighten the nut to the point of contact using a 24mm spanner, ratchet and 12mm socket to lock the rotation of the ball joint.
Step 35: Scrub the knuckle of the wheel knuckle, apply silicone grease, and insert the sleeve of the outer tie rod. NOTE: Do not grease the inside of the cone.
Step 36: Insert the upper control arm into the wheel knuckle. Screw the nut back on by hand a few threads, then insert the driveshaft into the hub properly.
Step 37: Scrub the knuckle of the wheel knuckle, then apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the sleeve of the outer tie rod.
Step 38: Put the outer tie rod back in place and screw it back on. Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Step 39: Complete the tightening of the upper control arm ball joint using a torque wrench.
Step 40: Complete the tightening of the lower control arm ball joint using a torque wrench. Tighten the front retaining bolts in the “vehicle on the ground” position.
Step 41: Lift the wheel knuckle unit with the jack until the original measurement between the center of the wheel and the wheel arch is reached.
Step 42: Complete the tightening of the silent blocks holding screws using a torque wrench. Repeat for the strut foot screw.
Step 43: Remove the jack.
Step 44: Put the sway bar end link back in place and screw it back in. Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Step 45: Reinstall the brake disc.
Step 46: Reinstall the caliper assembly and screw it back on. Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Step 47: Reconnect the vacuum lines and screw the brake hose mounting bracket back on. Remove the cable used to hold the caliper assembly together.
Step 48: Replace the ABS sensor cable and clip it back into its slots. Reconnect it.
Step 49: Replace the hub nut. While blocking the rotation of the hub with a crowbar, screw it back on. Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Step 50: Put the cover back on the nut.
Step 51: Put the wheels back on your vehicle.
Step 52: Lower the vehicle to the ground and securely block the wheels.
The operation and tools displayed in the video should be available on the following vehicles :
Before lifting your vehicle, it is necessary to measure the distance between the centre of your wheel and the wheel arch. This will allow you to achieve an optimal tightening of the silent block equipped elements in their initial position.
In order not to damage the silent blocks, it is necessary to tighten the front retaining bolts in the “vehicle on the ground” position.
During this operation, you will be intervening on the front axle of your car, so it is advisable to perform a wheel alignment afterwards.
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